Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Hand and finger play roundup: Finger exercises that lead to brain training

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.

For older adults, moving their hands and fingers is very important because it helps stimulate brain activity.

That’s why many senior care facilities incorporate hand and finger play as a way to help prevent dementia.

Among these activities, brain-training style hand and finger games may seem difficult at first, but they allow participants to talk and think together—saying things like “I did it!” or “How do you do this part?”—so they can enjoy the activity while engaging in communication.

There are exercises that involve different movements with the left and right hands, or moving the fingers while singing.

Please choose and adapt activities according to each older adult’s physical and mental condition.

[For Seniors] Collection of Hand and Finger Games: Hand and Finger Exercises That Lead to Brain Training (61–70)

Brain training exercises of see-not, speak-not, hear-not

Brain-training exercises that spark laughter: recreational activities seniors enjoy, and health exercises.

Brain training exercises of see-not, speak-not, hear-not

Let me introduce a brain-training exercise that moves your body and stimulates your mind: the “see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil” workout.

For “see no evil,” cover your eyes with both hands.

For “hear no evil,” cover your ears with both hands.

For “speak no evil,” cover your mouth with both hands.

When you hear the staff member’s cue, decide which pose it is and move your hands to make that pose.

It can train your reaction speed and thinking skills, and it might even encourage more communication.

Even if you make mistakes, keep it lighthearted—relax and enjoy the exercise!

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Rhythmic gymnastics with bean throwing

Seated singing exercise: Nursery rhyme “Mame-maki (Bean-Throwing)” — rhythm exercises for seniors and the elderly #seniors #exercise

Rhythmic gymnastics with bean throwing

Bean-throwing is one of the major events in February, isn’t it? Depending on the region, some people throw peanuts or edamame, but in Japan, people have traditionally done bean-throwing on Setsubun in February.

So, we’d like to introduce a rhythm exercise perfect for February: a bean-throwing themed routine.

Move your body to the children’s song “Mamemaki.” Sit in a chair and, while singing, extend your hands and feet forward.

An exercise with a bean-throwing theme can help older adults connect with the current season.

Also, using a familiar song makes it easier for many seniors to join in.

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The Apple Song

If you want a super easy and exciting sing-and-exercise activity for seniors, this is it! The Apple Song

The Apple Song

“Ringo no Uta” (The Apple Song) is a piece performed by Michiko Namiki, released in 1945.

Amid the defeat, her bright and refreshing voice gave people courage, and it became the biggest hit song of the postwar era.

In 2007, it was also selected as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Songs.

Many older adults may feel that this song gave them energy.

Let’s enjoy it as a hand-play song while reminiscing about memories from that time.

The motion of bringing your elbow and knee together involves twisting the body, which seems likely to activate muscles you don’t usually use.

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A puzzle where you fit counters (ohajiki) into a frame

[Solo, non-crowded recreation] Supervised by a Recreation Care Worker! Simple indoor handmade game video for seniors: “A puzzle game where you fit marbles (ohajiki) into frames drawn in a notebook.”

A puzzle where you fit counters (ohajiki) into a frame

Group recreation where everyone gets lively together is fun, but taking time to think carefully and enjoy things at your own pace is important too.

This time, we’re introducing a finger dexterity puzzle using ohajiki (small glass game pieces).

Preparation is very simple: get some paper and ohajiki.

Draw circles on the paper about the same size as the ohajiki, and place the pieces around them.

Using your index finger, try to push the ohajiki into the circles.

You can change how it feels a lot by drawing circles slightly larger or smaller than the ohajiki and making a rule that they only count if they fit exactly, or by trying fingers other than the index finger.

Because it also engages spatial awareness, it serves as brain training.

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

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A game where you flip over plastic bottle caps placed in an egg carton

[No-Crowding Solo Activity] Supervised by a Recreation Care Worker! Simple Indoor Handmade Game Video for Seniors: 'A Game Where You Flip Bottle Caps in an Egg Carton Using Chopsticks☆'

A game where you flip over plastic bottle caps placed in an egg carton

Using just a single disposable chopstick, flip the plastic bottle caps inside an egg carton.

If you’re deft, it can even look like you’re cooking takoyaki.

The trick is actually all about where you insert the chopstick and how you move it.

By rubbing the chopstick against the cap, the pressure makes the bottle cap spin around.

Because you’re using a tool and performing fine, precise movements, the stimulation travels from the hand to the brain, so you can also expect brain-training benefits.

If you time it, it becomes competitive, making it fun both solo and in small groups.

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Rubik’s Cube

[Rubik’s Cube] How to solve all 6 faces. Tutorial video. Perfect for complete beginners. A method that lets even novices solve it in under 3 minutes. Only one move to memorize!

Rubik's Cube

This is a classic puzzle where you twist and turn the blocks to align all six faces.

It tests your ability to visualize how each square will move and where it will end up.

Relying on intuition alone makes completing all six faces difficult, so learning specific algorithms is important—starting by solving just one face is recommended.

As you get better at moving the blocks to the positions you intend, you’ll also start to feel yourself getting closer to completing all six faces.

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Ojami Wobble Game

Ojami Wobble Game #dayservice #recreation #Nichinan #Miyazaki #teamwork #dayservicerecreation #rec

Ojami Wobble Game

Many older adults have probably played otedama (beanbag juggling) before, right? Some may have even skillfully used their hands and fingers to juggle two or three beanbags in the air.

Let’s play a fun game that uses familiar otedama to work the fingertips.

Place a paper plate on top of a short piece of a cut plastic wrap or foil core.

Then, place the beanbags on the paper plate one by one.

Since the paper plate is unstable, it wobbles each time you add a beanbag, creating a thrilling, heart-pounding effect.

It seems like older adults can enjoy a bit of tension while engaging in the game.

By the way, “ojami” is what otedama is called in the Kansai region.

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