Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Perfect Finger Exercises! Seasonal Flower Origami

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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.

We’d like to introduce various flower origami projects especially for seniors.

In Japan, beautiful flowers bloom with each of the four seasons.

In spring, there are cherry blossoms; during the rainy season, hydrangeas; in summer, sunflowers; in autumn, cosmos; and in winter, Christmas roses.

Why not try making seasonal flowers with origami?

We’ve gathered many easy projects so that even beginners can enjoy them.

If you love flowers—or if you’re looking for a fine-motor rehab activity—please join us in creating lovely origami flowers together.

[For Seniors] Perfect Finger Exercises! Seasonal Flower Origami (71–80)

Azalea and Satsuki azalea

[Craft Idea] Azaleas and Satsuki Azaleas – Flower Crafts (April/May) (Wall Decorations) (Activities for Older Adults) (Early Childhood/Educational) (Flowers) (Creative Projects) (OT)

Azalea and Satsuki azalea

Azaleas and satsuki azaleas are famous spring flowers.

They look similar but have slightly different characteristics.

Azaleas bear colorful, luxurious blossoms, while satsuki azaleas have small, refined flowers.

Here, we introduce a wall decoration featuring these flowers, packed with their unique charm.

First, prepare origami paper and fold it.

Then cut along the creases you made.

Adding a bit of movement to the petal parts when you open it is the key to making it look realistic.

Displaying them in your room will brighten the space and let you enjoy a heartwarming moment.

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Ladybugs and clover

[Craft Idea] Ladybug and Clover – Spring (April/May) – Activities for Older Adults, Wall Decorations, Early Childhood Education, Creative Crafts, Bug Crafts, Occupational Therapy (OT)

Ladybugs and clover

May brings refreshing weather.

In parks and fields, the fresh greenery is beautiful and insects become active.

We want older adults, who often spend a lot of time indoors, to feel the season too.

So here are ideas for a wall decoration featuring ladybugs and clovers that evoke the feeling of May.

We’ll make the ladybugs and clovers with origami.

Add round spots to the ladybugs and cut the origami so it forms clover shapes.

Red and yellow are great, but ladybugs in various colors would also look lovely.

Making them together with older adults engages the fingertips, so it may even provide a brain-training effect.

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white clover

[Craft Idea] White Clover Crafts (May–June, spring) (senior recreation) (wall decorations) (early childhood education) (daycare) (flowers) (crafting) (Flower crafts) (OT)

white clover

White clover is a familiar plant that you can often see blooming along roadsides.

Though modest, the clusters of small white flowers look delicate and beautiful, like lacework.

Let’s try expressing that white clover on a wall! First, prepare some origami paper, then cut and fold it to make petals.

The key is to give the petals a curve.

Layer them to form a single flower.

Cut the leaves into heart shapes, and by combining them, you can create a four-leaf clover.

Since white clover is said to bring good luck, decorating your room with it might lift the energy in your space.

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[For Seniors] Perfect Finger Exercises! Seasonal Flower Origami (81–90)

Azaleas and butterflies

[Craft Idea] Azaleas and Butterflies (May Wall Decoration) (Elderly Recreation, Occupational Therapy OT, Day Service, Childcare) (Origami, Flowers, 3D, Easy Craft, Origami DIY) Azalea and Butterfly Wall Decoration

Azaleas and butterflies

Azaleas, which bloom in vivid pinks and purples, are at their best from mid-April to mid-May.

As a May wall decoration idea, how about making azaleas and butterflies? Let’s fold azaleas using red and pink origami.

First, make crease lines and use them as guides as you fold.

While the paper is still folded, cut it with scissors into the shape of petals.

Then use the scissors to round and shape the cut petals.

For the butterflies, using washi-patterned origami will really make them stand out.

Butterflies fluttering over a brightly colored field of azaleas is sure to lift the spirits of anyone who sees it.

Please use this as a reference!

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Lotus Blossoms and a Ladybug

[Craft Idea] Chinese Milk Vetch and Ladybug (May, Spring) (Wall Decorations, Senior Recreation, Occupational Therapy OT, Day Service, Preschool) (Origami) (DIY)

Lotus Blossoms and a Ladybug

Small pink flowers that bloom from around April to June.

When Chinese milk vetch blooms, you can feel the transition from spring to early summer.

This time, we’re sharing an idea for a wall decoration featuring ladybugs flying over a field of Chinese milk vetch.

Make templates from thick paper, then create the petals and calyx.

Combine the petals to form a single flower.

To add a three-dimensional effect, gently round the tips of the petals using scissors.

Make the stems and leaves, and attach each piece to complete the design.

The ladybugs are also crafted to look three-dimensional, so please use that as a reference.

It’s an idea that will instantly brighten the walls of a senior care facility—give it a try!

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Aoi

[Craft Idea] Hollyhock (Aoi) (May) (Wall Decoration • Senior Recreation • Occupational Therapy OT • Day Service • Creative Activity) (Flower Craft Aoi Origami DIY) (Paper Craft)

Aoi

The hollyhock blooms in vivid colors from early to mid-summer.

As a May wall decoration idea, I recommend hollyhocks.

Fold a pink sheet of origami paper into thirds both vertically and horizontally, then cut it into nine small squares.

Use the video as a reference to form the flower shape.

Recreating the inner pattern involves very detailed work, so be careful not to cut yourself.

This extra step makes the flower look authentic, so it’s an important point! Once you’ve made the leaves and butterflies, arrange them and you’re done.

Since there are many fine steps, this project seems perfect for older adults who are skilled at origami and papercutting.

Everyone, give it a try!

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carnation

[Craft Idea] Carnation crafts (Mother’s Day / May) (senior activities) (early childhood/educational) (wall decorations) (creative) (origami) (flowers) (flower crafts)

carnation

The bright pink and red carnation wall decorations are a perfect motif for Mother’s Day in May.

Many older adults may have received or given carnations before.

They may look difficult to make, but the steps are simple—give it a try! Crumple a sheet of origami paper, fold it in half twice, and use zigzag scissors to cut it into a circle.

Cut the circle in half, accordion-fold each half, and combine three pieces to create one flower.

Use green origami paper to make and attach the stem, calyx, and leaves.

It looks just like a real carnation! Why not enjoy making them while sharing nostalgic Mother’s Day memories?

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