[For Seniors] Enjoyable Brain Training! Finger Exercises That Help Prevent Dementia
Moving the fingers helps activate the brain, so it’s recommended as a recreational activity for older adults.
Finger exercises can be done while seated, making them safe and easy to start.
There are many ideas—such as doing different movements with each hand or coordinating with songs—so they can be enjoyed according to each person’s physical and mental condition.
Also, by adding ideas like speaking aloud while moving the fingers, you can make the exercises even more enjoyable.
Since these exercises can be done anywhere, they’re also great for filling small pockets of free time.
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[For Seniors] Fun Brain Training! Finger Exercises That Help Prevent Dementia (41–50)
Finger exercises you can do with one hand
One-handed finger exercises are highly recommended for older adults.
Simply moving each finger one by one can improve flexibility and provide good hand and finger activity.
You can incorporate various movements, such as counting on your fingers, bending and extending the fingers, and light massage, which makes it enjoyable.
It’s easy to include in daily life, so please give it a try.
You can also expect relaxation benefits, and it may improve dexterity and control of the hands.
It’s important to do them within a comfortable range, tailored to the physical and mental condition of the older adult.
[For Seniors] Enjoyable Brain Training! Introducing Finger Exercises That Help Prevent Dementia (51–60)
Thumb and pinky finger exercise
This is a finger exercise where you raise and move the thumb and pinky in turn.
With both hands made into fists and your arms extended forward, raise only both thumbs.
Next, repeat the motion of tucking the thumbs in while raising the pinkies.
Once you get used to the simple movement, it’s also recommended to alternate the thumb and pinky back and forth.
As you practice, make sure the raised finger isn’t staying up by mistake and that the other fingers are properly lowered.
You can also move your fingers along with lively, rhythmic music or clapping.
Try incorporating this during recreation or exercise sessions at senior care facilities.
Simple finger exercises
Let’s do a finger exercise while counting with both hands.
For 1 to 10, simply spread one finger at a time as you count.
From 11 onward, use one hand to show the tens digit and the other hand to increase the ones.
From 16, it gets trickier because the same hand has to show both the tens and continue forming the ones, so the difficulty goes up! Keep counting the same way past 20, and try going up to around 30.
Besides counting up in order, it’s also great to practice decreasing the numbers while keeping the same hand movements.
Song Exercise
This song exercise features only songs recommended for winter.
Snow, Campfire, and North Wind Boy Kantarō—aren’t they all nostalgic tunes you heard as a child? Here we introduce a Goo-Choki-Paa exercise you can do while singing these popular children’s songs.
It can be done seated, so it’s reassuring from a safety standpoint for older adults.
Since many movements involve using both the upper and lower body, it helps strengthen you both physically and mentally.
You can also express actions like opening and closing your hands with your fingertips, which should provide good stimulation for the brain.
Finger exercises with kayōkyoku (Japanese pop songs)
The Goo-Choki-Paa (Rock-Paper-Scissors) exercise set to kayōkyoku is highly recommended for older adults.
You can enjoy exercising to nostalgic songs like Keisuke Kuwata’s “Ashita Hareru Kana” and The Peanuts’ “Koi no Vacance.” Keep the rhythm with “goo” and “paa,” spreading your fingers wide on “paa.” Moving your hands and fingers while singing can also provide beneficial stimulation for the brain.
It’s done seated, so it’s considerate of safety as well.
Choose your favorite kayōkyoku songs and keep at it daily to support both physical and mental health.
Brain Activation Finger Exercises
Let’s activate your brain by making big movements with your fingertips! Repeat making a fist and opening your hand to warm them up, and you’re ready to go.
First, bend each finger on both hands one by one; after bending them all, open them back up in order.
Try different variations: start with the thumb on the right hand and the little finger on the left; start with the right palm facing outward and the left palm facing toward you; and more.
Movements like clenching your hand and alternately sticking out and retracting just the thumb and little finger are also effective for stimulating the brain! To keep it from getting monotonous, incorporate various movements and train your fingertips while mixing things up.
Rubber Band Finger Relay
This is a rubber band finger relay, where you pass a rubber band from finger to finger! Start by looping the rubber band around your thumb, then press your thumb and index finger together and, while smoothly rotating your hand, shift the rubber band onto your index finger.
Continue passing it to the next finger in order, and once you reach the little finger, work it back toward the thumb.
The motions of touching fingers together and turning your hand are surprisingly tricky when you try them.
It’s also perfectly fine to grasp the rubber band with the other hand to move it along—this still engages the fingertips well.
Adjust the method while observing how older adults are doing, and find what works best for them.