[For Seniors] Enjoyable Brain Training! Finger Exercises That Help Prevent Dementia

Inchworm Brain Training Exercise

Inchworm Brain-Training Exercises: Today’s Brain Workout #154 – Preventive Care and Dementia Prevention

Let’s stimulate your brain with a finger play that mimics an inchworm’s movement.

Inchworms move by stretching and contracting their bodies, right? We’ll recreate that motion with your fingers as a hand game.

Touch the tips of your index finger and thumb together on both hands.

From there, bend one thumb and touch it to the index finger of the other hand.

Then alternate by bending an index finger to touch the thumb on the other hand, and keep repeating this pattern.

The motion looks like an inchworm, doesn’t it? At first, it can be hard to make each finger meet the opposite one smoothly, but working to make the connections is said to help activate your brain.

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Nakajima Junko

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The Itomaki (Spool Winding) Song Using Rubber Bands

The Itomaki Song using rubber bands [An exercise activity for seniors!]

This exercise aims to make finger movements smoother by stretching a rubber band with both hands and moving it from finger to finger.

Maintaining strength is important to keep the band well stretched, so sustaining effort while moving adds complexity that also helps stimulate the brain.

If you coordinate the movement of shifting the rubber band with a song—such as the children’s song “Ito Maki”—and proceed rhythmically, it will further improve smoothness.

We also recommend starting with patterns that move the band to the same finger on both hands, then gradually shifting the positions to make the patterns more complex over time.

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kappamaki

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Maple Leaf Finger Exercises

From Momiji Finger Exercises: 'Brain Lively! Hand Play, Finger Play'

Let’s try a finger exercise to the tune of the children’s song “Momiji”! The method is simple: bend only the first joints of your fingers and repeatedly make a light fist and open your hand.

However, if you keep your arms extended and continue this movement until the end of the song, it turns into quite a good workout.

Follow the relaxed tempo of “Momiji,” slowly repeating the motion of clenching and opening.

Gradually your fingers themselves will get tired, and your outstretched arms will, too.

But you also have to sing properly.

It’s an exercise that uses not just your fingers, but also your arms and your voice.

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SAKI

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Finger exercises you can enjoy with one hand

[For people with hemiplegia too] 6 brain-training exercises you can enjoy with one hand

This is a one-handed finger exercise that even those who find it difficult to move both hands can enjoy without strain! After warming up with the basic rock–paper–scissors motions, try adding a “fox” shape by touching the thumb to the middle and ring fingers in between.

You can also increase the difficulty gradually by repeating rock–paper–scissors while moving the hand forward and back, or by adding a knee tap when switching.

In recreational activities, the most important thing is to have fun! Encourage participants by saying, “Please do it within your comfort level,” and proceed while carefully observing their condition.

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yuri

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Pa-Ta-Ka-Ra alternating counting exercise

“Pa-Ta-Ka-Ra Alternating Finger-Counting Exercise” #shorts #ForSeniors #CarePrevention #PreventiveExercise #PreventiveGymnastics #BrainTrainingExercise #BrainTrainingFingerExercise #FingerExercise #DementiaPreventionExercise #DementiaPrevention #OralExercise

Let me introduce a very simple exercise that also trains your brain: the alternating Pa-Ta-Ka counting exercise.

What you do is very simple! Say “pa” while raising the index finger of your left hand and keeping your right hand in a fist.

Next, say “ta,” raise two fingers on your right hand, and make a fist with your left hand.

Then, say “ka,” raise three fingers on your left hand, and make a fist with your right hand.

In this way, you alternate between your left and right hands while counting.

By having your brain process speaking and finger counting at the same time, multiple stimuli are sent to the brain, which is expected to help prevent cognitive decline.

Give it a try!

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kojifumi

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Singing game of “Antagata Dokosa”

[Dementia Prevention] Do brain training by playing the song game 'Antagata Dokosa'!!

Some older adults may have memories of playing ball games to the temari song “Antagata Dokosa.” Here’s a finger play that matches the “Antagata Dokosa” song.

Make a gun shape and a fox shape with your fingers to match the imagery in the lyrics.

To the melody, alternate the finger shapes between left and right.

Once you get used to it, try speeding up the tempo.

In addition to moving your fingers, taking on tasks that feel “a bit difficult” is also said to activate the brain.

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Nakajima Junko

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Brain training with Rock-Paper-Scissors on Mito Komon

[Dementia Prevention • Hand Exercises] Brain Training with Rock-Paper-Scissors to the Tune of Mito Kōmon!

Many older adults have probably watched the drama Mito Kōmon at least once, don’t you think? It’s about Mito Kōmon traveling around Japan, and the show’s theme song is famous too.

Using the theme song “Aa Jinsei ni Namida Ari,” let’s do a finger-play activity with the rock-paper-scissors motions.

Clap your hands, make a fist (rock) with one hand and pull it toward yourself, while making a hand (paper) with the other and extend it forward.

Another pattern is: clap your hands, make a fist (rock) with one hand and extend it forward, then use scissors to pull it back.

It might be easier for older adults to participate if it’s a song they already know.

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Nakajima Junko

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