![[For Seniors] July health topics: a wide range of ideas including exercises, crafts, and quizzes](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/eLzXIa8XsH8/maxresdefault.webp)
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.
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For Seniors: July Health Topics — A Wide Range of Ideas from Exercises and Crafts to Quizzes (1–10)
Heatstroke Quiz
July is a month when the heat often becomes a hot topic.
On scorching days, we all want to be careful about heatstroke.
You’re probably already mindful of heatstroke in older adults, too.
As we age, it seems we can become less sensitive to heat.
With that in mind, we’d like to introduce a heatstroke quiz.
We’ve made it a quiz format to help older adults stay aware of heatstroke.
Through the quiz, you can learn things about heatstroke you may not have known.
It might even be an enjoyable way for older adults to gain new knowledge.
Plus, coming up with quiz questions could help stimulate the brain as well.
Fireworks, swimming in the ocean, and the watermelon-splitting exercise
When you think of July, what comes to mind? Fireworks, swimming in the sea, watermelon-splitting—these may be some of the things that come to mind for older adults.
It’s said that recalling the past can help increase blood flow in the brain.
With that in mind, here’s an exercise routine that incorporates movements inspired by things associated with July.
Of course, it’s also fine to use movements based on July-related ideas provided by older participants themselves.
While doing the exercises, you can look back on childhood memories or summer episodes spent with family.
From there, conversations can naturally emerge, helping to promote communication as well.
Soran-bushi exercise
The Soran Bushi, a folk song from Hokkaido, is probably a song that many older adults have heard at least once.
These days, it’s often performed at school sports festivals as well.
Some of you may even remember watching your children or grandchildren dance to it at their sports day.
Let’s try doing some exercises to the familiar Soran Bushi melody.
Since the movements are done while seated, even those who find it difficult to stand can participate.
It would also be exciting for everyone to dance together at a summer festival.
Snack activity: Tanabata jelly
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♬ Lucky Pool – Judy & Mary
In July, there’s an event called Tanabata.
Tanabata features legends about the Milky Way, Hikoboshi, and Orihime—stars and constellations that shine in the night sky.
Let’s try making a jelly inspired by Tanabata.
For the night sky, we’ll make a jelly using Blue Hawaii shaved ice syrup.
For the stars, it might be nice to add pieces of cut fruit.
Put the set jelly and fruit into cups, and it’s done.
Since it can be made while sitting at a table, many older adults should be able to participate.
Working together may also spark conversations with the people around you.
Hanagasa Ondo, a dance performed with fans in hand
The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival is held in Yamagata during the summer.
As one of the four major festivals of the Tohoku region, it reportedly attracts about one million visitors from inside and outside the prefecture.
Dancers don hanagasa hats and perform along to the song “Hanagasa Ondo.” Why not try bringing this summer festival from Yamagata Prefecture into senior care facilities as well? You can substitute the hanagasa with a uchiwa fan for the dance.
Using a fan allows you to express movements that look graceful and elegant with either one hand or both.
The dance can be done while seated, and its gentle motions are likely to bring smiles to the faces of older adults.
Care prevention exercises to the tune of Kiyoshi’s Zundoko-bushi
These days, Kiyoshi Hikawa has been showcasing new sides of his charm to the public.
I imagine there are fans of Kiyoshi Hikawa among older adults as well.
And when it comes to his hit songs, “Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi” comes to mind, doesn’t it? It’s a tune known across many generations.
Let’s move our bodies to “Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi.” The key to exercise is consistency.
If the workout uses a song familiar to older adults, it might be easier to keep it up while having fun.
By all means, try singing along as you do the exercises.
Adult tanzaku decorations
Let’s make a sophisticated tanzaku ornament using mizuhiki.
Cut black construction paper into a 15 cm diameter circle to create the base, then decorate it with bamboo leaves cut from Japanese-pattern origami.
Place the leaves on the left, right, and bottom areas, leaving the center open.
Make tanzaku strips from white paper and origami, punch a hole at the top, and secure them to a ring-shaped mizuhiki using a chenille stem (pipe cleaner).
Punch a hole at the top of the base as well, thread the pipe cleaner through, and form a loop.
Tie a red cord to the pipe cleaner to finish.
Write your wish on the tanzaku and display it in your room.
