[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 (111–120)
Carp streamers with plump, scaly patterns
Here is a carp streamer (koinobori) you can display indoors at your facility.
Many places change their wall decorations each month, don’t they? Some older adults seem to feel the season through wall decorations related to the month’s representative events and celebrations.
Seeing koinobori decorations may remind them of Children’s Day in May and the Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku).
A koinobori with charmingly plump scales is fun not only to make but also just to look at.
The puffy scales, made with two sheets of origami paper, aren’t difficult, so many older adults should be able to create them.
By admiring the wonderful koinobori they made themselves, they can also feel a sense of accomplishment.
Swaying hanging ornaments
Here’s an introduction to a cherry blossom hanging decoration that looks beautiful as it sways in the breeze.
Cut origami or construction paper into rectangles and accordion-fold it five times.
Trim any excess and staple the center.
Draw cherry blossom petals on the accordion-folded piece and cut them out.
Apply glue to the center, stick the parts together, and shape it.
Attach a string to the back to finish.
If you make and hang many blossoms, it will look even more lovely.
It seems like you could make plenty of blossoms while chatting with seniors.
Please use this as a reference for making decorations.
Yuri
Lilies, which are in season from early summer through summer, come in various colors, but they’re often associated with a beautiful white image.
This piece shows how to create such a white, beautiful lily in three dimensions by combining origami.
The idea is to fold with the final spreading in mind, and making precise, even folds will lead to a beautiful result.
When you spread it open, curving the petals is also key—this helps create a solid sense of three-dimensionality.
Adding a stem afterward makes it easier to display, so it’s highly recommended.
Colorful windmill
Let me introduce a spinning pinwheel that’s perfect for the refreshing winds of May.
We’ll make the pinwheel’s blades using two sheets of origami paper.
It’s recommended that one sheet have a pattern or design.
Glue the two sheets together at the center, draw lines between opposite corners, and make small cuts along those lines.
Place a square piece of origami at the center, then glue down the cut corner sections to form the blades.
Wrap a bamboo skewer with washi-pattern origami to make the stick, and attach the pinwheel.
Some older adults may remember making pinwheels when they were children.
Talking about memories of playing with pinwheels as kids might spark a lively conversation.
Paper cutouts of osmanthus flowers
Kinmokusei (fragrant orange osmanthus) is a plant that blooms with orange flowers in autumn and is known as one of Japan’s three great fragrant trees—its scent is very popular.
This project shows how to create a pattern resembling a chain of tiny kinmokusei flowers by cutting folded origami.
Fold the origami into a triangle, mark flower shapes on it, then cut along the marks and unfold to reveal a connected row of kinmokusei.
Since it can look flat on its own, it’s also recommended to layer the pieces, glue them onto a backing sheet, or add decorations like stickers to give it a more three-dimensional look.
Gift Frame
Here’s an introduction to a carp-streamer gift frame that can hold photos or sweets.
Fold two sheets of origami using the same steps, layer them, and you’ll create a single frame.
The folding process doesn’t have many complicated parts, so it may be easy for older adults to try.
It also looks lovely if you place patterned origami inside the frame.
Shape the frame itself like a carp streamer and pop in a photo or some treats.
When adding sweets, we recommend using a clear bag.
On Children’s Day, some grandparents may have their grandchildren visit at home.
Putting sweets in the gift frame and giving it to your grandchild is sure to delight them.
lily of the valley
Lily of the valley blooms around April to May and is strongly associated with heralding the arrival of spring.
In this project, we’ll recreate this quintessential spring flower with origami, making the bell-shaped blossoms in three dimensions.
First, cut white origami paper into a flat shape like spread petals, then attach it to a long, rolled stem piece.
From there, overlap and adjust each petal to form the bell shape.
Once the flower components are complete, attach them to a backing sheet decorated with leaves and other parts to finish.
Aim for a design where the flowers appear to pop out.