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[For Seniors] Enjoy a Warm Spring! April Health Topics Roundup
As we enter April, the temperature is gradually getting warmer.
Perhaps more older adults are becoming active, too.
However, suddenly increasing activity can raise the risk of falls and be dangerous.
It’s best not to overdo it and to start moving your body little by little.
Some staff members may also be looking for recreational activities that are safe and enjoyable.
In this article, we’ll introduce recreational activities that older adults can do with peace of mind.
We’ve included spring-themed singing exercises, games, and brain-training activities, so please use them as a reference!
[For Seniors] Enjoy the Warm Spring! April Health Topics Roundup (1–10)
Bamboo Shoot Digging Game
Bamboo shoots are one of spring’s seasonal flavors.
Some older adults may even have gone out to dig them.
Here’s a perfect springtime bamboo shoot–digging game.
All you need are two things: newspaper and paper cups! Roll up the newspaper to make a stick, then attach a paper cup to the end.
Set more paper cups on a table to represent bamboo shoots, and you’re ready to go.
Drawing or sticking illustrations on the cups adds to the atmosphere.
Cover the “bamboo shoots” with the stick’s cup, and you’ll be able to pick them up surprisingly easily.
Set rules like “first to get five wins” to make it more exciting.
It’s also great exercise for the arms, elbows, and shoulders while having fun, so it’s recommended for senior care facilities as well.
Chair exercises in April
As the warm weather sets in, many older adults may feel like moving their bodies and becoming more active.
This time, we’re introducing chair exercises themed around April that you can do indoors.
While seated, reach your hands forward as if you’re catching cherry blossom petals.
We’ll also do some brain training that recalls food stalls at cherry blossom festivals, along with exercises to strengthen your muscles.
By doing exercises and brain training related to April, older adults can get a sense of the season.
And because these exercises are done while sitting in a chair, many older adults can take part.
Balloon holder bag with a string
Here’s a string-and-balloon game that’s sure to liven up spring events and gatherings.
Have several older adults sit in chairs facing each other, each holding one end of a string so that paired participants are connected and keep the string taut.
By moving the string up and down or sliding it side to side, they work together to carry a balloon to the goal.
Cooperation is key in this game.
Because participants call out to each other as they play, it naturally encourages communication as well.
Quick brain training, “Ready, set!” game
Here’s a simple brain-training game you can do while seated, with no prior preparation.
Pair up in twos.
When one person calls out a number—like “Ready, five!”—both of you raise your hands or feet.
If the total number of raised hands and feet matches the number that was called, you’re correct.
You can make it more game-like by intentionally raising more hands or feet to throw off your partner’s guess, and enjoy training your brain as you play.
It also helps to create a cheerful atmosphere where mistakes lead to laughter.
Since raising hands and feet doubles as light exercise, try it together with older adults.
Goldfish Game
At festival stalls, there’s usually a goldfish scooping game, right? Besides scooping, here’s a fun game that uses goldfish as the theme.
Two people hold the ends of a face towel, and place a goldfish plushie or a crafted goldfish on the towel.
While shaking the towel, they toss the goldfish into a basket that’s been set up in advance.
Assign points based on the size of the basket and the distance to the basket.
This innovative goldfish game should be enjoyable for older adults as well.
It also seems like it would be exciting to play as teams.
Brain-training exercises that make you laugh
The Nikko Kaido is a famous cherry blossom spot in Tochigi Prefecture.
Some older adults may have visited the Nikko Kaido to see the blossoms.
At the end of the Nikko Kaido is Nikko Toshogu Shrine, which is also known for the Three Wise Monkeys.
Let’s strike poses with our hands to match the Three Monkeys—see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
When the cues are called—see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil—use your hands to cover your eyes, ears, or mouth.
If you call out “see no evil” but then cover your ears as a trick, it livens things up.
You can also increase the difficulty by, for example, adding a single clap when “see no evil” is called.
As older adults get used to it, gradually raise the difficulty and encourage them to keep challenging themselves.
Brain Training Calendar with Cherry Blossoms
https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_kizuna/video/7485936876986142007How about designing a calendar with cherry blossoms created by crumpling tissue paper? Next to the cherry tree, there is also a haiku by Ayako Hosomi.
It’s a clever two-for-one idea: moving your fingers with the crumpling motion and then coming up with your own final line to turn it into brain training.
It’s fun to think, “What kind of haiku should I make?” while you’re crumpling, and natural conversation will likely blossom with those working alongside you.
As you share spring-themed verses, moments of “I see!”—along with delight and laughter—will emerge, ensuring a wonderful crafting time.
