[For Seniors] Fun Origami That Also Works as Rehabilitation
Origami is also being incorporated into rehabilitation for the elderly.
The process of folding, which engages the mind and uses the fingertips, appears to provide moderate stimulation to the brain and help activate it.
So this time, we’ll introduce origami that can be expected to have positive effects for rehabilitation.
We’ve gathered pieces with simple steps that are easy for older adults to try, as well as origami you can play with once it’s finished!
Origami offers a sense of accomplishment when a piece is completed, and because it’s familiar to many seniors, it can be enjoyed across generations.
Some older adults may find it difficult at first.
However, once they get used to it, gradually increasing the difficulty should make it even more enjoyable!
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[For Seniors] Enjoyable Origami That Also Serves as Rehabilitation (91–100)
Just cut and paste—three-dimensional hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are soothing flowers that we often see during the rainy season, when there’s lots of rain.
Don’t you feel a little uplifted when you see hydrangeas blooming in vibrant colors in the rain? This time, let’s make a particularly eye-catching, three-dimensional hydrangea.
When you display it in your room, it’s so beautiful you might mistake it for the real thing.
Prepare some origami paper and cut it into small pieces.
Then cut several of them into flower shapes.
Roll up some flower paper and attach the flowers to it.
Since it’s just cutting and pasting, it’s easy for anyone to try.
Origami Hydrangea
Hydrangeas come in a rich array of colors, making them a delight to look at.
Even on the same plant, the color can vary from year to year, offering a once-in-a-lifetime kind of beauty.
They look gorgeous when wet with rain and pair perfectly with Japan’s gently rainy monsoon season.
Even on gloomy, rainy days, their charm makes you want to go outside for a walk just to see them.
Let’s make such hydrangeas with origami! It’s highly recommended because you can finish in no time by folding a few pieces of origami and layering them together.
A hydrangea ball bouquet made with origami and tissue paper
Hydrangeas made from tissue paper look very glamorous and really stand out.
Just displaying them in a room instantly brightens the space and brings a soothing presence.
First, prepare tissue paper, accordion-fold it, and secure it with a rubber band.
Then gently fluff open the tissue paper.
Even at this stage it looks like a beautiful hydrangea, but if you make small flowers from origami and attach them, it will look even prettier.
Next, prepare a clear file and cut it into raindrop shapes.
Combine everything together and you’ll have a stylish hydrangea ball bouquet.
Simple hydrangea
When you think of the rainy season, do hydrangea flowers come to mind? Let’s try making hydrangeas out of origami, blooming beautifully in a gentle, steady rain.
There are many ways to fold hydrangeas, but here we’ll introduce an easy method that combines multiple parts.
We’ll fold the cluster of flowers and the leaf pieces.
Since there aren’t many complicated folds, it may be easy for older adults to work on as well.
Once you glue the parts together, it’s complete.
You can hang it on the wall, stick it on a calendar, and more—the possibilities expand with your ideas.
Pink hydrangeas spilling out from the forehead
We’re pleased to introduce an adorable pink hydrangea decoration that overflows from its frame.
First, prepare small pieces of pink origami paper and cut them into quarters.
Fold each piece into a triangle twice, then stand and fold each side halfway front and back, pressing flat as you go.
Round off the left and right corners with scissors, fold one layer back, and crease it well.
Once you have the crease, open up the petal.
Repeat the same steps for all the prepared papers.
Make the leaves, and once they’re ready, start attaching everything to the frame.
Finish by placing a bead in the center of each flower.
It’s perfect as a room decor accent, too.
A kusudama made from a single sheet of origami
Kusudama made from origami look beautiful because of their colors and shapes.
However, they often use many sheets of paper and require complex folds.
So here, we’ll introduce a kusudama you can make from a single sheet of origami paper—something many older adults can enjoy trying.
First, fold and unfold the paper to create crease lines, then begin shaping along those creases.
These creases will form the kusudama’s geometric structure.
Like making an origami paper balloon, you’ll inflate it by blowing air into it to form the kusudama.
After inflating, gently prod along the fold lines with your fingers or a bamboo skewer to refine the shape.
Tanabata decoration – Fukinagashi (streamers)
Easy to display in miniature size! Here are some ideas for Tanabata streamers.
When you think of Tanabata decorations, what comes to mind? Maybe net ornaments, paper baskets, or tanzaku wish strips.
This time, let’s make streamers, which are traditionally displayed to pray for improvement in handicrafts and weaving.
You’ll need three sheets of tissue paper, one sheet of origami paper, thread, craft glue, paste, and scissors.
Changing the colors of the tissue and origami paper can give a different feel and make it more fun.
Try finding your favorite combination!