Lovely senior life

For seniors: Recommended for day services. Hands-on activities that help prevent dementia.

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.
Worked as a certified care worker for 17 years.Nanaka
I’ve been working as a certified care worker for 17 years. I’m Nanaka, a caregiving web writer. I decided to pursue this profession because I wanted a job that would help people. Having worked in day care for many years, I’ve experienced a wide variety of recreational activities. Exercise set to music, in particular, always created a cheerful atmosphere and was very well received. I’d be delighted to continue delivering writing that resonates with readers through caregiving-related articles. Thank you for your support.

As we age, our muscle strength declines, making fine, hands-on tasks more difficult.

Because the nerves in our hands are connected to the brain, it’s said that moving our hands can help prevent dementia.

In this article, we introduce hands-on recreational activities for day service programs that train both the fingers and the brain.

With a focus on craft-based activities and finger-use games, they also help improve concentration.

Craft activities let participants enjoy the fun of creating, too.

There are many ideas to choose from, so try starting with the hands-on activities you’re most interested in.

[For seniors] Recommended for day-service centers: Handicraft activities that help prevent dementia (21–30)

collage letters

Taught by an occupational therapist: Anyone can do it! How to make “collage letters” with simple scissor cuts [Chill Out with Crafts] #1

collage letters

This is a simple craft with plenty of room for creativity: designing kanji characters in colorful ways.

First, choose a kanji you like and print it out large on a computer.

Trace the outline of the character from the back, then on the front side, paste magazine clippings, origami paper, and other materials.

Once you’ve finished pasting, cut the character into parts along the outline on the back, and attach them to a backing sheet to complete it.

The choice of typeface, the colors on the front, and the balance of the parts all allow for personal expression.

Since accurately cutting out the character is a crucial step, make sure to keep close attention to your fingertips when using scissors.

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Making a mask strap

[Making a beaded floral mask strap] Beads for right-side hemiparesis

Making a mask strap

This is about making beaded straps that add a touch of cuteness to everyday masks.

You can create many designs just by stringing beads, but adding a small accent at the end—like a flower shape—can make the design look even more festive.

The strap design will likely vary depending on the type of mask you use most often, so it’s recommended to try different colors of beads.

Since the fine task of threading the beads is important, this craft helps train delicate finger movements and grip strength.

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[For Seniors] Recommended for day service: Hands-on activities (31–40) that help prevent dementia

Fabric Wreath Making You Can Do Even With Hemiplegia

Looking for crafts that even people with hemiplegia can do, Part 4: I tried making beads with one hand. A two-hour session fast-forwarded to 30 seconds at 240× speed. 2017.3.24. I used my mouth and body too, so it can be made with one hand, but it might be tough for someone with hemiplegia. Mikneko

Fabric Wreath Making You Can Do Even With Hemiplegia

A wreath made with colorful fabric that has a soft, charming look.

It’s a simple project where you insert fabric scraps into a Styrofoam wreath using bamboo skewers.

Because the steps are straightforward and can be done one-handed, it’s an easy craft to enjoy casually.

You can freely customize it—choosing the types of fabric, deciding how much space to leave between pieces as you insert them—so encourage people to proceed while imagining their ideal design.

By carefully considering color balance and aiming for a high-quality finish, this craft can also help stimulate the brain.

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Finger exercises with plastic bottle caps

Eliminate boredom! A senior recreation activity using plastic bottle caps that also promotes finger exercises #shorts #braintraining #dayservice

Finger exercises with plastic bottle caps

Here’s a recreational activity you can make using the many plastic bottle caps that tend to pile up.

Place the caps on a base sheet, matching each cap with the same kanji written on the sheet, making sure not to make mistakes.

Kanji sets that are hard to distinguish—like the fish or tree radicals series—are recommended.

Because players identify the characters while pinching the caps with their fingers, it trains both the brain and fine motor skills.

Give it a try—make it and play with it! You could also turn it into a game by pairing addition problems with their answers.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Coaster making

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

Coaster making

This process uses a paper plate with slits cut into the rim as a guide to weave the cord.

First, thread the cord across the plate connecting the slits, layering it so the circle expands outward from the center.

Finally, remove the paper plate and tie off the protruding guide sections to complete the coaster.

If you connect a different cord while weaving, you can change colors, allowing for freeform designs, which is another nice point.

Since it’s important to plan your weaving pattern and tighten it firmly for durability, this craft encourages focused finger movements.

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Daruma Stacking Game

[Mini-Game] Exciting 🎮 Daruma Stacking Game 🕹 #shorts #dayservice #minigame #recreation #care #elderly #rehabilitation

Daruma Stacking Game

Let me introduce the “Daruma Stacking Game,” a game that trains finger dexterity, quickness, and concentration.

Prepare paper cups with daruma drawings, and compete to see how many tiers you can stack within 40 seconds.

You can stack them however you like, but because speed and caution are both required, it demands not only concentration but also creativity.

Additionally, the quick hand movements used to grasp the cups are similar to the reflex of grabbing onto something when you’re about to fall, so it may help prevent falls.

It’s also recommended as a recreation activity for senior care facilities.

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Simple Temari

Make it by wrapping yarn! Adorably round “Easy Temari” / [OT’s Let’s Make It! Vol. 9] (Recreation/Crafts)

Simple Temari

Let’s try making a temari with a soft, colorful look using yarn.

It’s a simple process: roll up old newspaper or other scrap paper into a ball, secure it with cellophane tape, and then wrap yarn around it.

To finish it beautifully, it’s important to shape the paper core into a firm sphere and wrap the yarn thoroughly so the base doesn’t show.

You’re free to combine yarns as you like, so experiment with color choices and wrapping techniques to create your own unique temari.

It’s also important to wrap the yarn tightly so it doesn’t loosen, which will naturally make you pay close attention to the movements and pressure of your fingertips.

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