[For older adults] Music recreation that helps boost mood and improve health

Lively A-I-U-Be exercises

AIUBE Pop’n Roll

Let’s try the “Ai-U-Be” mouth exercise to the upbeat, rock-style sounds of lively drums and guitar.

In this exercise, you open your mouth wide to “A,” “I,” and “U,” and then stick out your tongue for “Be.” It’s said to help prevent cavities, encourage nasal breathing, and support overall well-being.

Doing the routine with a rock-inspired melody and vocals can also help you blow off some steam.

You can even adapt it by adding hand claps or combining it with movements like raising your arms.

It’s recommended not only for senior care facilities but also at home with your grandchildren.

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Nakajima Junko

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Melody change rec

[Singing Recreation] I Tried Singing “Donguri Korokoro” to the Tune of “Aa, Jinsei ni Namida Ari”

Let’s try making parody versions using songs that older adults are familiar with, such as nursery rhymes and TV drama theme songs.

Singing the lyrics of a different song to a familiar melody can really liven things up.

The key point here is to choose songs that older adults know well.

If you pick songs that aren’t widely known, their motivation to sing may drop, so please be careful.

With parodies, even if you make some mistakes in the lyrics or go off pitch a little, it can turn into laughter.

It also helps stabilize emotions and relieve stress, so we hope you’ll enjoy singing.

Consciously singing different lyrics to a familiar tune stimulates the brain and supports activation.

Please give it a try.

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Nakajima Junko

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Apple Song Exercise

Seated rhythmic exercises for seniors: Do exercises while singing “Apple Song”

While singing “The Apple Song” (Ringo no Uta), which is remembered as the first hit song after the war, this activity involves moving the body slowly.

The song has a uniquely calm atmosphere, so it gives the impression that you can move at an unhurried pace.

The movements mainly focus on the upper body, but by adding steps and singing, you can also stimulate brain activity.

Even if you’ve heard the song before, you might not remember the lyrics perfectly, so in that case, following along with the lyrics also adds a focus and concentration element.

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kappamaki

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Song to sing at the end of the gathering

Big Laugh Recreation: If You're Happy and You Know It [Light Exercise for Brain Training and Elderly Care Prevention]

We’d like to introduce an exercise routine to do at the end of events and recreational activities.

By doing the same exercise to the same song each time, participants can recognize that “the session has ended.” If you choose a song that is familiar to older adults, it will likely be easier for them to join in.

It’s said that exercising while singing can have brain-training benefits.

Performing simultaneous movements is also expected to activate the brain efficiently.

You might consider adding playful variations to the routine to create fun, laughter-filled movements.

Be sure to select songs that older adults are familiar with.

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Nakajima Junko

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Winter Song Exercises

[Singing Exercise] Winter Recreation · Elderly · Health Exercise · Seniors · Easy · While Seated in a Chair · Simple

Sing-along activities are offered in many senior and welfare facilities.

Singing helps relieve stress and, because it moves the mouth, also works as an oral exercise.

Moreover, combining songs with simple exercises—song-exercise routines—stimulates the cerebrum, activates the brain, and can help prevent dementia.

If the exercises use songs people like, even seniors who feel reluctant to move might think, “Maybe I’ll give it a try.” Seasonal songs, such as winter-themed ones, can also help seniors feel the season as they exercise.

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Nakajima Junko

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Northern Country Spring Exercises

Northern Country Spring Exercises

We would like to introduce an exercise set to the classic song “Kitaguni no Haru,” which most older adults are likely familiar with.

March in place during the intro, then raise and lower your hands, do open-and-close (grip-and-release) movements, and tap your hands, shoulders, and knees.

There are also twisting motions for the neck and torso, so be careful not to overexert yourself.

It’s a good idea to review the movements beforehand if it’s your first time.

When doing this as a recreation activity at a senior facility, giving prompts such as “Next is marching in place,” each time will make it more enjoyable.

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kojifumi

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Season of Love

[Respect-for-the-Aged Day Celebration] We performed 'Koi no Kisetsu' at the day service. 2022

Let’s perform a dance to Pinky & the Killers’ song “Koi no Kisetsu” for an older adult’s birthday.

Just like Pinky & the Killers, wear a rounded derby hat with a curled brim and dance.

Of course, singing is a great option too.

Both the dance and the song set to “Koi no Kisetsu” are likely to delight seniors.

Some may even have personal memories connected to this song.

As they listen, it might bring back recollections of those days.

It’s a recreation activity that can spark conversation and make the celebration even livelier.

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Nakajima Junko

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