[For Seniors] Simple Rhythm Exercises: Recommended Songs and Routines
One of the things we should pay attention to in caregiving settings is dementia prevention.
To keep the brain healthy, physical activity is important.
Some of you may be wondering if there are any recreational activities that allow older adults—who often spend long periods sitting—to move their bodies while having fun.
In this article, we introduce recommended songs for rhythm exercises! Because there are many nostalgic classics, older adults are sure to enjoy them.
Please make use of this as a recreation activity that can be enjoyed with lots of smiles!
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- For People in Their 90s: Dance Tracks and Exercise Songs That Make Moving Your Body Fun!
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- [For Seniors] Recommended Rhythm Play and Exercises
- Also great for dementia care! Recommended dance songs for people in their 70s: Let’s dance to those classic hits
- With upbeat rhythm routines! Music therapy for seniors
- [For Seniors] Songs Everyone Can Sing Together! A Roundup of Recommended Crowd-Pleasers
- Ranking of popular songs for senior citizens
- [For Seniors] Popular Hand-Play Songs: Fun Brain-Training Ideas
- [For Seniors] Hand and finger play roundup: Finger exercises that lead to brain training
- [Brain Training for Seniors] Recommended Hand-Play Recreation for Dementia Prevention
- [Recommended for seniors] Rejuvenating Rock-Paper-Scissors Exercise
[For Seniors] Easy Rhythm Exercises: Recommended Songs and Routines (41–50)
8 Recommended Picks for June: Preventive Care Exercises
Combine brain training with exercises and move your body while having fun! Here are 8 recommended picks for June.
We’ll share ideas for preventive care exercises.
June is the rainy season in Japan.
With all the rain, we tend to go out less, but let’s keep our minds and bodies energized with brain-training exercises you can enjoy indoors! Rainy days are the perfect chance to move with a smile.
The video introduces eight different exercises.
Some of them incorporate household chores and everyday movements, so why not give them a try?
[For Seniors] Easy Rhythm Exercises: Recommended Songs and Workouts (51–60)
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands
We’d like to introduce a super-simple and fun brain-training exercise to do with the children’s song “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” Basically, while singing, you tap parts of your body according to the lyrics.
Exaggerating the movements can make it more effective as an exercise.
It’s also fine to deviate from the lyrics and tap your stomach, wink, or otherwise customize which body parts you use! Depending on the seniors’ abilities, you can change or add more moves so they can enjoy it.
This is recommended both for facility activities and for doing at home.
A Member of the Fire BrigadeRATS&STAR
The song “Megumi no Hito” used in this exercise routine is a single by Rats & Star, released on April 1, 1983.
It’s dance music that fuses funk, which was popular in the UK at the time, with Latin music.
The track is very rhythmic, so it feels like you can dance to it at a lively tempo.
Moving your hands and feet simultaneously—such as rotating your arms while stepping—stimulates the brain and provides beneficial activation.
There’s a signature pose in the middle, and striking any pose you like there is sure to lift your mood.
Be sure to have fun dancing along with everyone!
Rhythmic gymnastics at Blue Light Yokohama
Released in 1968, “Blue Light Yokohama” is one of the signature songs of the Showa era.
Many older adults have likely sung it at karaoke or heard it on TV or the radio.
Let’s try some rhythmic exercises with this familiar tune.
Since the song portrays a couple in love, it could be fun to incorporate movements that match the lyrics.
Older adults might feel nostalgic, recalling the time when this song was popular as they exercise.
You could even sing along while doing the exercises.
Rhythmic gymnastics on a journey of the heart
Let me introduce a rhythm exercise you can do on a gentle, melody-filled journey of the heart.
While seated, clap along with the song and alternately touch the insides of your knees.
Cross your arms in front of your chest as if placing your hands on your shoulders.
Moving your feet in step as well may also serve as a good workout for the brain.
The key is to move your whole body with large motions, but only within a comfortable, enjoyable range.
When you move, try to include your facial expressions and feelings too—you may find it even more fun to sing your heart’s journey.
Fall prevention exercises with Tokyo Boogie-Woogie
Let’s try some fall-prevention exercises to the tune of Tokyo Boogie-Woogie and move our bodies gently and energetically.
Sit in a chair and rotate both wrists.
Rotate them in the opposite direction as well to exercise your wrists.
Turn your head left and right, move both hands, and step one foot forward at a time.
When you raise and move both hands, do so slowly and only within a comfortable range.
Lifting the opposite arm while stepping one foot forward is also great brain training because you have to think as you move.
This Tokyo Boogie-Woogie routine incorporates a variety of movements, and one of its charms is that you can move along to pleasant music.
Please give it a try and have fun!
Autumn Song Calisthenics
Autumn is the season when it starts to feel chilly, isn’t it? It’s also a time when older adults may feel reluctant to move their bodies.
So how about trying a singing exercise with an autumn theme? If it’s a seated singing exercise, even seniors who find standing difficult can participate.
Autumn songs include pieces like “Tsuki” (The Moon) and “Donguri Korokoro” (Acorns Rolling).
By singing them during exercise, older adults can also get a sense of the season’s atmosphere.
In addition, exercising while singing can help activate the brain and relieve stress.
If you’d like, please use this as a reference and give it a try.