[For Seniors] June Health Topic: Recreational Activities to Enjoy the Rainy Season

A game where you put newspaper balls into an umbrella

[June Limited Activity] Stuff the umbrella with as many newspaper balls as you can!!

It’s great that you can play this while staying seated! Here’s an idea for a game where you toss newspaper balls into an umbrella.

June in Japan is the rainy season, with lots of rain.

And when it rains, you tend to use umbrellas more often.

This time, let’s do a recreation activity using an umbrella and newspaper.

First, tear the newspaper with a rip and crumple it to make newspaper balls.

Once you open an umbrella and set it on a table or on the floor, you’re ready to go.

It’s a simple yet exciting game where you throw the newspaper balls into the gently swaying umbrella!

Soran-bushi exercise

Soran-bushi exercise

Many older adults may be familiar with the Soran Bushi, don’t you think? I’ve heard it’s sometimes performed at school sports days.

Just hearing the rhythm and calls of Soran Bushi can make you feel energized.

Let’s try some exercises to the spirited rhythm of Soran Bushi.

Move your body by extending your hands forward or raising them overhead like a banzai cheer.

It can be done while seated, so many older adults should be able to take part.

If it’s a song they know, older adults will likely enjoy doing the exercises comfortably.

Popcorn Game

Ready in no time! 😆 Popcorn you can bounce and pop with your feet 🍿 #SeniorActivities #DementiaPrevention #DayService #Easy #Recreation #shorts

Even if you know that moving your body is good for your health, some people may still feel reluctant to get active.

So, here’s a popcorn game that lets you exercise your feet while having fun.

Sit in a chair and attach paper plates to both knees.

Fill the plates with lots of crumpled paper balls.

The paper plates act as frying pans, and the crumpled paper balls are the popcorn for the game.

At the cue “Ready, go!”, flap your legs and do a marching motion to shake the paper popcorn out of the plates.

Watching the crumpled paper fall from the plates looks like popcorn popping in a heated frying pan.

Because it’s an exercise you can do like a game, it seems enjoyable and suitable for older adults as well.

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oral exercises

Oral Exercises for Seniors: Toothbrushing Independence Edition. Ideal for preventive care at day service centers, other care facilities, or at home. by Fukukuru

Oral functions play an important role in helping older adults lead healthy lives.

However, as it becomes harder to move their bodies as they wish, their awareness of things like “I should brush my teeth” tends to decline.

When the motivation to do things independently decreases, dependency increases, making it harder to take action even for tasks they can do.

Oral exercises can be expected to improve functions around the mouth, such as speaking, eating, and swallowing.

They also help people feel that meals are delicious and make conversations with others enjoyable, contributing to a more lively life.

Please consider incorporating them into your indoor activities during the rainy season.

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Gymnastics to the children’s song “Amefuri”

Gentle rhythm exercises you can do seated: “Singing Exercise” with the children’s song “Amefuri (Rain)”

Here is an introduction to an exercise routine set to the children’s song “Amefuri” (Rainfall).

During the rainy season in June, it’s often hard to go outside for walks and other outdoor activities.

“Amefuri” is perfect for this time of year! Move your body to the lyrics by raising your hands and marching in place.

The exercises can be done seated, making them accessible for older adults who find standing difficult.

Once you get used to it, try singing while you exercise.

Some people may find doing movements and singing at the same time “a bit difficult.” But in fact, feeling that it’s “difficult” is a sign that your brain is working well.

Of course, don’t push yourself—do only what you comfortably can.

Approach it with a cheerful spirit and have fun.

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Bowling

A bowling game that uses leg power (*´▽｀*)b

June 22 is Bowling Day every year.

How about enjoying bowling that you can do indoors? With a few tweaks—like rolling the ball while seated—you can make it accessible for many older adults.

Using empty plastic bottles filled with water as pins also makes preparation easy.

It works well as an individual match, and team competitions can be exciting too.

Bowling had a boom during the Showa era, so those who played back then or who love bowling may enjoy reminiscing.

It’s a great recreation activity that’s sure to liven up the rainy season.

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Hydrangea wall decoration

[Senior Activity] June Hydrangea Wall Decoration [Easy]

When you think of flowers in June, many people probably picture hydrangeas.

Their blues, pinks, and purples add a splash of color to the gentle, steady rain.

Let’s brighten the walls of facilities and other spaces with works that beautifully depict hydrangeas.

Wrap a rubber band in a cross shape around a thick makeup-style sponge to create a hydrangea stamp.

Dip it into a mix of watercolor paints and stamp it lightly onto washi paper.

To give the hydrangeas a three-dimensional look, cut the corners of the washi paper, crumple it, and add wrinkles—that’s the key.

If you add leaves and snails as well, you can bring a rainy-season atmosphere to the walls.

Both making the artwork and viewing the displayed pieces will help older adults feel the essence of June.

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