[For Seniors] Let's try customizing the usual Pa-Ta-Ka-Ra exercises!
It seems that many senior care facilities incorporate the “Pa-Ta-Ka-Ra exercises” before meals and at other times.
These are important oral exercises for older adults, using the mouth and tongue while vocalizing “pa, ta, ka, ra.”
The “Pa-Ta-Ka-Ra exercises” help prevent aspiration and support enjoyable conversation through training the muscles around the mouth.
However, doing the same routine over and over can start to feel monotonous.
So let’s try a modified version of the “Pa-Ta-Ka-Ra exercises”!
This time, we’ve gathered ideas with creative twists, such as adding hand claps or turning it into a parody song.
We hope older adults can enjoy their oral exercise time as well.
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[For Seniors] Let's try customizing the usual PaTaKaRa exercises! (1–10)
Pa-Ta-Ka-Ra alternating counting exercise
Let me introduce a very simple exercise that also trains your brain: the alternating Pa-Ta-Ka counting exercise.
What you do is very simple! Say “pa” while raising the index finger of your left hand and keeping your right hand in a fist.
Next, say “ta,” raise two fingers on your right hand, and make a fist with your left hand.
Then, say “ka,” raise three fingers on your left hand, and make a fist with your right hand.
In this way, you alternate between your left and right hands while counting.
By having your brain process speaking and finger counting at the same time, multiple stimuli are sent to the brain, which is expected to help prevent cognitive decline.
Give it a try!
Patakara Exercises – Oyome Samba (Bride Samba)
Let us introduce you to the fun Patakara exercises performed to the tune of Hiromi Go’s classic hit “Oyome Samba.” Strengthening the mouth muscles improves your ability to swallow food and helps prevent aspiration.
First, sing the song normally to check the music and rhythm.
From the second verse, replace the lyrics with the syllables “pa-ta-ka-ra.” If you can manage it, move your hands in rock–paper–scissors (fist, scissors, open hand) at the same time; doing multiple actions simultaneously can also provide brain-training benefits.
Aim to do this at least once a day.
It’s especially recommended before meals.
Patakara Zoo
Introducing the idea for the Patakara Exercise: the Patakara Zoo, where you sing animal names that include the syllables “pa,” “ta,” “ka,” and “ra” to a simple melody.
As you sing names like panda, tanuki (raccoon dog), crow, and lion, you imitate their sounds and characteristics, making it easy to smile and have fun.
It can be done seated in a chair, right where you are, so it doesn’t require a special space.
It’s also recommended as a recreation activity in senior facilities.
Please give it a try!
[For Seniors] Let’s try customizing the usual Pa-Ta-Ka-Ra exercises! (11–20)
Patakara exercises with insect sounds
Here’s an idea for doing the Patakara mouth exercises to the tune of the well-known Japanese children’s song “Mushi no Koe” (Voices of Insects).
It’s simple: replace the insect names with “Pata-insect” and “Kara-insect,” and change their chirping sounds to “pata-pata” and “kara-kara” as you sing.
Many older adults are familiar with this short song, so it’s easy to try.
You don’t even need accompaniment—using a tablet or similar device lets you do it anywhere.
Enhancing oral function can also help prevent cognitive decline, so please try it proactively.
It’s especially effective when done before meals.
If Kamepatakara Song Exercise
https://www.tiktok.com/@rizumicalgass/video/7053507212525784322Why not try some mouth-area exercises to the tune of the children’s song “Usagi to Kame” (The Hare and the Tortoise), which every Japanese person has heard? It’s simple: change the lyrics “Moshi moshi kame yo” to the syllables pa-ta-ka-ra and vocalize them.
Once you get used to it and feel more comfortable, add hand claps or foot stomps.
Doing multiple movements at the same time turns it into a dual task, which can also help train your brain.
You can do it anywhere, and doing it before meals is especially effective for preventing aspiration.
Patakara exercises with butterflies
We’d like to share an idea for training oral functions—such as chewing strength and swallowing ability—set to the well-known children’s song “Butterfly” (Chōchō).
The method is very simple: just replace the lyrics with the sounds pa-ta-ka-ra and sing along.
Because it’s a short song, you can do it anytime, anywhere, without worrying about the setting.
Doing it before meals serves as a warm-up for the mouth and helps prevent aspiration, so timing it before eating makes it even more effective.
Consistency is important, so please try to do it once a day.
Pata-Kara exercises: tongue twisters
Here’s a method that adds the sounds “pa-ta-ka-ra” to tongue twisters so you can practice while having fun.
Start slowly, and as you get used to it, speed up—this way, people of various abilities can enjoy participating.
This exercise can help with digestion of food, prevent aspiration pneumonia, promote sterilization and disinfection through saliva secretion, and help prevent infections.
In addition, since a decline in oral function is said to increase the risk of developing dementia, it is also effective for dementia prevention.
In settings such as senior care facilities, explaining these benefits before the exercise can encourage more motivated participation.