Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] July health topics: a wide range of ideas including exercises, crafts, and quizzes

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.

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 Introductions from Exercises and Crafts to Quizzes (21–30)

Tanabata Curling

@emi8852
July 7th is Tanabata Day! ⭐️🎋 For our recreation activity, we played a Tanabata curling game. ✨July 7 Tanabata Curling translation Translation Recreation #Welfare facility Caregiving Caregiver Nurse #IchijoMiyaSmile
♬ Tanabata-sama(Children’s choir “Hibari”) – HIBARI CHILDREN CHORUS

Curling is a sport where you slide stones toward the center of a circle on ice, competing for points based on where the stones come to rest.

With a bit of creativity, you can try it on indoor floors, too.

Attach wheels to a substitute for the stone and roll it across the floor.

The player who rolls it closest to the target wins.

It’s even more exciting if you set up a scoring system that awards higher points the closer you get to the target.

If you do it in July, a curling game themed around Tanabata’s Orihime and Hikoboshi could be fun.

It’s also a version of curling that seniors can enjoy safely.

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Preventing heatstroke with chair exercises

Heatstroke Prevention: Teacher Gobō and Chair Exercises

Preventing heatstroke with chair exercises

These days, we’re getting more and more hot days even before summer truly begins.

Heatstroke is a concern, and it seems some older adults have difficulty sensing heat.

As one way to prevent heatstroke, getting your body accustomed to heat can help reduce the risk.

With that in mind, here are some heatstroke-prevention exercises you can do while seated.

Let’s try movements that raise your heart rate and exercises that move the body rhythmically.

It’s said that it takes about two weeks for the body to acclimate to heat.

Let’s keep moving regularly at a pace suitable for older adults.

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Tanabata game

Today's Lesson ~Tanabata Game~

Tanabata game

There’s also the legend that on Tanabata, Orihime and Hikoboshi, separated by the Milky Way, are able to meet just once a year.

Here’s a game inspired by the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi.

Use a vinyl cord to create the Milky Way on the floor.

Players take the role of Hikoboshi and toss beanbags toward Orihime, who is placed at the end of the vinyl cord.

Place Orihime the farthest away; if a beanbag reaches her spot, the player gets the highest score.

You can make it even more exciting by setting up sections between the Milky Way and Orihime that award small points or result in a miss.

It’s a game that seems likely to foster interaction among participants, including older adults.

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windsock garland

[Elderly Recreation] Easy Tanabata Streamer Garland Decoration

windsock garland

In July, many senior care facilities hold Tanabata events and activities, don’t they? Here’s a perfect decor idea for indoor Tanabata celebrations: a streamer garland.

Let’s make star shapes out of origami to evoke the Milky Way of Tanabata.

You’ll fold the paper first, then cut it to create the shapes.

Using fluffy tissue paper, you’ll make the weaving threads.

Incidentally, the streamers are said to represent the weaving threads of Orihime.

Because of this, streamers are imbued with wishes for improvement in weaving skills and for warding off evil.

Why not try making them with older adults while sprinkling in a bit of Tanabata trivia? It’s a fun activity that moves the hands and broadens knowledge at the same time.

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Summer children’s songs – sing-and-dance medley

Summer Children's Songs [Singing & Exercise Medley Vol. 1: 5 Picks] Rhythm Exercises for a Full-Body Workout You Can Do While Seated

Summer children's songs - sing-and-dance medley

Let’s try doing sing-along exercises with summer children’s songs like “Hamabe no Uta,” “Natsu wa Kinu,” and “Ware wa Umi no Ko.” Many older adults may have sung these songs during their school days or with their own children, don’t you think? Exercises based on familiar songs may be easier for seniors to take part in.

Accompanied by music, we’ll do movements such as raising arms and legs while seated in a chair, as well as clapping along.

Singing together while exercising can also be a refreshing change of pace for older adults.

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In conclusion

It’s tough to plan daily recreational activities without them becoming monotonous, isn’t it? It can be especially challenging in summer when indoor activities are more limited. How about trying a variety of activities with seniors this summer? We hope this helps with your daily recreation planning.