![[For Seniors] July health topics: a wide range of ideas including exercises, crafts, and quizzes](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/J64A6Ghucmk/maxresdefault.webp)
[For Seniors] July health topics: a wide range of ideas including exercises, crafts, and quizzes
Summers in Japan are getting hotter every year, and outdoor activities are often limited.
Older adults, in particular, experience a decline in physical function with age and may be less sensitive to heat and cold, so special care is needed to prevent heatstroke.
Here are some recommended health topics for July that are perfect for summer.
We’ve gathered plenty of ideas you can enjoy in cool indoor spaces without worrying about the heat—such as exercises, quizzes, games, and snack activities.
There are also exercises that are effective for preventing heatstroke! Most activities can be enjoyed while seated, so even those who have difficulty standing can participate.
Incorporate them into your daily recreation and let’s make it through the hot summer in a fun way.
For Seniors: July Health Topics — A Wide Range of Ideas from Exercises and Crafts to Quizzes (1–10)
Making Tanabata decorationsNEW!
Tanabata is a festival deeply connected with the stars, beginning with the tale of Orihime and Hikoboshi, and it feels romantic in the way we place our wishes upon the stars.
This piece is about incorporating the indispensable star motif for Tanabata to create a beautiful decoration.
The key point is how to depict the stars: by flicking paint onto black cardstock to create a look where various dots intermingle, you can also express a sense of depth.
Finally, combine it with tanzaku bearing written wishes to convey the atmosphere of Tanabata, and it’s complete.
Making tanzaku (paper strips)NEW!
On Tanabata, we decorate bamboo branches with tanzaku slips bearing our wishes.
I’m sure many of you, as children, freely and boldly asked the gods for what you wanted.
So let’s have older adults enjoy making Tanabata tanzaku as well.
The slips themselves are easy to make using colored construction paper or origami paper.
Have them write whatever they like on them.
As adults, we rarely have chances to write down our wishes, so it might feel fresh and engaging.
It will also be fun to see what everyone wishes for!
Tanabata Ball Rolling GameNEW!
https://www.tiktok.com/@seasoncafe.yokohama/video/7253388511804427522This is a game where you roll a ball along a course designed to look like the Milky Way, aiming for the goal.
Use the handles to tilt the course left, right, up, and down to move the ball forward.
Be careful where there are no edges, as the ball can fall off.
At the goal, Orihime and Hikoboshi are waiting with smiles.
Between them is an illustration of an embrace, and when the ball reaches the goal, that section closes to create the effect that Orihime and Hikoboshi are reunited.
The course is made of cardboard, and I think the handles can be recreated with materials from a 100-yen shop.
Tanabata ConcentrationNEW!
https://www.tiktok.com/@user2230836748136/video/7250637454246448391Perfect for brain training too! Let’s enjoy “Concentration” in a Tanabata version.
While playing Concentration with playing cards is common, this time we’ll make original cards using construction paper.
Cut the paper into star shapes and attach Tanabata-themed illustrations like Orihime, Hikoboshi, bamboo leaves, and the Milky Way.
If you’re playing with older adults, it’s a good idea to make the cards larger and add numbers to make them easier to remember.
It could also be fun to set a rule that anyone who finds Orihime and Hikoboshi consecutively wins and is out at that point.
Let’s defeat the aliens of the Milky WayNEW!
https://www.tiktok.com/@hirose_ds/video/6847233121125977345Let’s fish up the aliens occupying the Milky Way so Orihime and Hikoboshi can meet! This is a paired challenge where you compete by the total number of aliens you reel in.
The aliens come in different colors, so choose a color and try to catch those.
Drawing lots to decide pairs might add some exciting suspense.
In the end, it would be great if you could fish up all the aliens and let Orihime and Hikoboshi cross the Milky Way.
Both the aliens and the fishing rods can be made from familiar items like paper cups, so please use this as a reference and have fun playing.
Hoshi Tobashi GameNEW!
https://www.tiktok.com/@hirose_ds/video/6846493485869157633Compete for points by launching stars using a launcher made from disposable chopsticks and a plastic bottle cap.
Prepare star-shaped dishes where the stars will land—if a star lands in one, you score points.
It’s a good idea to assign different point values based on the color of the dishes.
The launcher is easy to use—just press and release with your finger—so anyone can enjoy it.
Feel free to play as individuals or in teams in various formats.
Placing a base under the launcher that evokes the Milky Way will make it feel more like a festive event.
Milky Way with magnetsNEW!
https://www.tiktok.com/@hirose_ds/video/6982782502419188993It’s a game where you throw star-themed balls onto a Milky Way that’s been placed on a whiteboard.
The balls are made by attaching finely cut vinyl tape to magnets.
Since magnets stick to the whiteboard, you only need magnets on the ball side.
Everyone, throw your stars and complete the Milky Way.
You can run it as a decoration-making game, or make it fun by awarding points based on the area where the ball lands.
Taking a group photo in front of the completed Milky Way will make for an even more wonderful memory.