Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Enjoy a Warm Spring! April Health Topics Roundup

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.
Physical Therapist / WriterKawamura Mina
From a physical therapist to a writer, driven by the desire to travel the world with just a laptop. I’ve traveled to over 20 countries. I hope to deliver writing that many people are glad to have discovered. Thank you in advance.

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 a Warm and Fun Spring! April Health Topics Roundup (41–50)

Foot exercises to the tune of ‘Haru yo, koi’

Elderly Care Recreation: Dr. Zenke’s “Leg Exercises to the Song ‘Spring, Come’”

Foot exercises to the tune of 'Haru yo, koi'

This is an exercise routine performed to the children’s song “Haru yo Koi,” which depicts eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring.

Because the rhythm is slow, focus on taking your time and stretching your body thoroughly.

While the movements mainly involve the legs—such as marching in place and extending a foot forward—swinging your arms in sync with your legs will help train your whole body effectively.

It’s also recommended to pay attention to the lyrics, vividly imagine springtime scenes, and stimulate your brain.

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Strawberry picking with paper cups

[Senior Recreation] Enjoy Spring to the Fullest! Recommended Spring Recreational Activities [Elderly Care, Day Services, Preventive Care]

Strawberry picking with paper cups

The vibrant red of strawberries evokes the excitement and warmth of spring, doesn’t it? This game is themed around harvesting strawberries, letting you feel the arrival of true spring.

A paper cup is fitted with a strawberry illustration and a loop made from a cable tie, which is then hung on an S-shaped hook.

Players use a grabber (magic hand) to pick them off, competing to see how many they can harvest within the time limit.

The gripping action with the grabber helps build hand strength, while removing the loop hones concentration.

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Daisy basket arrangement

[Craft Idea] Flower Crafts: Daisies (March–April, Spring) (Recreation for Seniors) (Early Childhood Education) (Arts & Crafts) (Basket Arrangement) (Easy) (Origami) (Flower Craft)

Daisy basket arrangement

This craft features brightly colored daisies that convey the excitement of spring’s arrival.

You roll slitted origami paper into a cylinder and then spread it out to form the petals.

Pay close attention to the angle as you open it up—the overlapping petals create a three-dimensional look.

Because it’s a simple project focused solely on making the flowers, you can decorate freely: fill a basket with them, or attach them to a backing sheet.

When decorating, be mindful of color placement as well.

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[For Seniors] Enjoy a Warm and Fun Spring! April Health Topics Roundup (51–60)

Horsetail made with origami

[Craft Idea] Horsetails – Crafts of Spring (March/April) (Senior Recreation) (Wall Decorations) (Early Childhood/Educational) (Creative) (3D) (Easy) (Origami)

Horsetail made with origami

This craft uses origami to depict horsetails that stretch straight up toward the sky in spring.

The key to conveying their softness is to add wrinkles to the paper; by rolling the origami paper and then unrolling it, encourage careful attention to fine hand movements.

After wrinkling, roll it tightly into a thin tube, attach tip pieces and other parts, and recreate the shape of a horsetail.

Since it’s made with soft materials, it’s recommended to combine it with parts like grass and glue everything onto a backing sheet, decorating it like a three-dimensional picture.

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Flower field wall decoration

[Craft Idea] Honeybees and Flower Garden (April/May Spring) (Wall Decorations) (Senior Recreation/OT/Day Service) (Early Childhood Education) (3D) (DIY/Papercraft)

Flower field wall decoration

Spring evokes the image of landscapes becoming vividly colored with flowers and animals starting to move more actively.

This craft, themed around flowers and honeybees, conveys the lively energy of both creatures and plants as they come to life.

Use a variety of colors for the flowers and get creative with folding and cutting techniques to represent different kinds of blossoms.

It’s important to make it look like many flowers are in bloom to fully convey the uplifting feeling of spring.

Adding creases to the flowers and bees to create a three-dimensional look is also recommended to enhance their brilliance.

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In conclusion

April is gradually getting warmer, but some people may still feel sluggish after the cold winter.

All the recreational activities introduced here can be done while sitting in a chair.

Many of them are safe for older adults to try, so please make good use of them.