Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Fun Origami That Also Works as Rehabilitation

Care Worker Initial Training Certification ObtainedNakajima Junko
Leveraging my experience working as a care worker at a day service, I am currently active as a writer in the caregiving and welfare fields. Beyond writing, I hope to expand my work into web design and illustration. I am a mother of three who has begun studying to become a certified social worker.

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!

[For Seniors] Enjoyable Origami That Also Serves as Rehabilitation (141–150)

Simple bouquet

[Origami] How to Fold a Bouquet (Origami Time)

Simple bouquet

Many flowers reach their best viewing season in spring.

It’s also a time when you’ll have more chances to see blossoms in parks and meadows.

Older adults may encounter flowers when they go for a walk, too.

Let’s make a bouquet out of origami that evokes those proudly blooming flowers.

Use origami paper in your favorite colors to fold the flowers for the bouquet.

Since many seniors love flowers, some may find themselves smiling as they create their pieces.

You can hang the finished bouquet on the wall, or take it home and display it there.

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Koinobori chopstick sleeve

[Origami] Chopstick Holder Koinobori (Carp Streamer) with Voice Commentary [Senior Recreation] Origami [Stay-at-Home Time]

Koinobori chopstick sleeve

To help seniors feel the seasons, some senior and nursing care facilities offer special seasonal meals, don’t they? In those moments, we’d like to introduce a carp streamer–themed chopstick sleeve that’s lovely to set quietly on the table.

Let’s fold a chopstick sleeve using origami.

If you use gold or red origami paper for the sleeve, you’ll end up with a festive design perfect for celebratory occasions.

Attach a carp streamer made from origami to the sleeve as well.

As you fold, some seniors may recall past Boys’ Day (Tango no Sekku) celebrations.

Besides carp streamers, you can also attach other seasonal decorations to the sleeve so it can be used throughout the year.

Please try arranging and customizing your own version.

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Carp streamer wall decoration

[Elderly Recreation] May Carp Streamer Wall Decoration [Easy Craft] Carp streamer

Carp streamer wall decoration

Why not try making a seasonal carp streamer (koinobori) wall decoration? Using paper cups adds a nice bit of three-dimensionality.

First, cut a paper cup into four equal sections to make the koinobori body.

Wrap origami paper around the cup pieces to create the scales and glue it in place.

Add eye stickers to finish the fish.

Fold a samurai helmet (kabuto), a pinwheel, and irises (shobu) as well.

Assemble everything and glue it onto a backing sheet.

If you make a set of decorations for the whole year and swap them out, it brings a pleasant change to everyday life.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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[For Seniors] Fun Origami That Also Serves as Rehabilitation (151–160)

A basket of daisies

[Craft Idea] Flower Crafts: Daisies (March–April, Spring) (Recreation for Seniors) (Early Childhood Education) (Arts & Crafts) (Basket Arrangement) (Easy) (Origami) (Flower Craft)

A basket of daisies

Daisies are striking for the way they bloom in a variety of colors, and their colorful appearance really conveys the exhilaration of spring.

This craft features a basket filled with daisy flowers, appealing for its colorful and playful look.

The key is how to make the daisies: fold a strip of origami paper in half, make slits, then roll it up and finally shape it into a flower.

As you carefully spread out the petals, the daisy becomes three-dimensional.

By varying the size and how much you spread the petals, and arranging a range of colors, you can achieve an even more vibrant result.

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Poppy

[Craft Idea] Poppy Paper Craft (April–May) (Wall Decorations) (Senior Recreation, Occupational Therapy OT, Day Service) (Origami DIY) (Creative)

Poppy

Poppies, which bloom from spring to summer, are also known as hinageshi or gubijinsō, and they produce colorful, round, and charming flowers.

This craft aims to create poppies that feel like the joy of spring, making them look three-dimensional as if they’re popping out from the backing paper.

You cut origami into petal shapes and assemble them into a flower, layering the pieces after making slits to give the flower a three-dimensional form.

Once the petal outline is done, place yellow in the center, and finally combine it so it looks like it’s blooming from the stem and leaf pieces attached to the backing paper, and you’re finished.

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In conclusion

It was the kind of project that might even bring back memories of folding paper from childhood for older adults! You can use the finished piece to play games with others, or take it home and put it to practical use.

Focusing on the detailed steps helps calm the mind and is said to help prevent dementia.

Please use origami creations to help improve the quality of life for older adults.