Lovely senior life

For Seniors: Simple and Lovely Crafts – A Collection of Take-Home Project Ideas for Day Service

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.
Care Worker Initial Training Certification ObtainedNakajima Junko
Leveraging my experience working as a care worker at a day service, I am currently active as a writer in the caregiving and welfare fields. Beyond writing, I hope to expand my work into web design and illustration. I am a mother of three who has begun studying to become a certified social worker.

If you can take home the pieces made at day service centers and other senior facilities, you can display or use them at home, adding a little extra enjoyment to everyday life.

Many older adults also enjoy focusing on the act of making things.

So this time, we’ve gathered ideas for projects you can take home.

We’ve included practical items you can use at home, like small organizers and photo frames, as well as pieces you can simply display and enjoy!

The materials are easy to prepare, and we also make use of recyclables like empty jars.

Crafting involves using your fingertips, which can stimulate the brain and help prevent cognitive decline, while also providing a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment from creating something.

Please have fun making these projects!

For Seniors: Simple and Lovely Crafts — Day Service Take-Home Project Ideas (11–20)

coaster

Vase mat and coasters made with string and paper plates (Monthly Day, August 2021) #craft #elderly #nursingCare #dayService #easy #handKnitting

coaster

Let’s make coasters using paper plates and string.

Since they’re round mats, you can use them not only for drink glasses but also under vases and in many other situations.

You’ll cut slits in a paper plate and weave string through them, similar to knitting.

The key step is to pass the string alternately over and under the strings stretched out radially, which makes it a detailed craft and a good exercise for finger dexterity.

You can also switch string colors partway through, offering lots of room for customization, so it might be fun to think about what kind of design you want to create.

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Hina decorations made of feltNEW!

[Hinamatsuri] Handmade felt hina decorations / Ohinasama dolls / 100-yen shop DIY

Hina decorations made of feltNEW!

This Hina doll decoration made of felt features gently swaying ornaments as its highlight.

By using plum blossoms and traditional Japanese-patterned fabrics, it’s likely to be a piece that will delight elderly people.

Draw a semicircle on copy paper or similar using a compass to create a fan shape.

Cut out thick paper, felt, and fabric to match this pattern to make a backing, then finish it with yarn (a type of cord).

Finally, add decorations such as flowers made from felt and fabric, and attach the hanging, swaying ornaments.

It’s a Hina Matsuri decoration that brightens up a space just by being displayed—give it a try!

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Shrink plastic initial key holder

Revolutionarily clean baking! How to make a fail-proof flower initial keychain using 100-yen store stickers on shrink plastic [DIY fan merch] – How to make shrink plastic

Shrink plastic initial key holder

Let’s try making an initial keychain using a plastic sheet, commonly known as a shrink plastic (Plaban).

Cut the sheet into the shape of an initial and heat it in a toaster oven.

It will shrink to about a quarter of its original size.

With the right baking technique, you can prevent the plastic from burning.

Before heating, sketch your design and color it with an oil-based marker or Posca pens, or try adding stickers after baking.

Older adults can enjoy making these too.

A one-of-a-kind initial keychain made from shrink plastic—once it’s finished, attach it to your house keys or bag.

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Lampshade made of paper

[100-Yen Shop DIY] Paper Lamp Shade

Lampshade made of paper

Why not try making a lampshade inspired by seasonal flowers? A lampshade is a shade that covers a lamp or bulb, and the materials and designs you use can create many different kinds of light.

This time, let’s make one using shoji paper and washi.

Tear the shoji paper and washi, or fold them into flower shapes and cut them out in advance.

Dilute craft glue with water and brush it onto an inflated balloon.

The key is to apply the glue over an area that matches the size of the shoji paper you’ll attach.

Once you’ve covered the entire surface with shoji paper, add the flower pieces made from washi.

Finally, coat the entire surface with the diluted glue, let it dry, and then pop the balloon.

You’ll have a beautiful spherical lampshade.

It’s also nice to place a dollar-store LED light inside for display.

Seniors are likely to be very pleased with such a lovely creation.

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Art box

How to Make an Art Box (Monthly Day, January 2022 issue) #dayservice #daycare #outpatientrehab #nursingcare #seniors #crafts #recycledmaterials

Art box

Here’s an art box you can enjoy with colorful patterns when placed by a window or in sunlight.

Slice an empty milk carton into rings about 2 centimeters thick and turn them inside out.

Attach tissue paper to one cut edge on one side.

Cut several strips of origami paper, fold or bend them into shapes you like, and glue the tips in place.

Fill the milk carton box with lots of the shaped origami pieces.

Finish by attaching tissue paper to the milk carton’s cut edge.

The fine work of folding origami uses your fingers a lot, so it may also be effective as brain training.

Please place it near a window at the homes of older adults and use it as a decoration.

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photo frame

[Handmade Video] Hands Hint Club at Home: “Let’s Make a Photo Frame from Cardboard” [Official Hands]

photo frame

Many people like to decorate their rooms with photos and reminisce about those times.

Displaying such photos in a photo frame can further highlight your attachment to those moments.

The process is very simple: layer a piece of cardboard with a photo-shaped cutout over another piece of cardboard that has a frame to hold the photo in place, and then decorate it.

Use origami or construction paper to decorate the frame, making sure to cover the base cardboard completely so it doesn’t show.

If you already know which photo you’ll display, it could be fun to design decorations that match the scene.

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[For Seniors] Simple and Lovely Crafts: Day Service Take-Home Project Ideas (21–30)

Doll-style towel hanger

[Easy Craft] [100-Yen DIY] Hand Towel Hanger ☆ #100yen #DAISO #DIY #100yen #handmade #kawaii #recreation #craft #elderly

Doll-style towel hanger

Here’s a project that turns a hand towel into a cute little doll.

If the hand towel you always use at home looked like a doll, it might lift the spirits of older adults, too.

Use a foam ball to make the doll’s face, then attach craft eyes and yarn for hair.

After fixing the facial parts to a wooden clip, decorate it with ribbons and beads.

Attach a towel folded into a triangle to the wooden clip, and your doll-style towel hanger is complete.

You can make one for yourself, and it would also make a delightful gift for families of older adults.

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