Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Enjoy Easily! Hand Play 'Shimoshika Meyo' (If If, Tortoise)

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.

Many older adults have probably sung the children’s song “The Hare and the Tortoise” at least once, don’t you think?

Some seniors may even have memories of singing it when they were little, or of singing it to their own children or grandchildren.

So this time, we’d like to introduce the hand game “Moshi Moshi Kame-san,” which was inspired by “The Hare and the Tortoise”!

Some facilities may already be using it during recreational activities or as part of their daily exercise routines.

It’s a familiar exercise for many seniors, and the “Moshi Moshi Kame-san” hand game comes in many variations.

There are some cleverly devised versions too, so please give them a try!

[For Seniors] Enjoy Easily! Hand Play “Shimo Shimo Kameyo” (21–30)

Slow aerobics to When the Saints Go Marching In

Let's Try Slow Aerobics! ~When the Saints Go Marching In~

Slow aerobics to When the Saints Go Marching In

Aerobics—moving your body to music—can feel difficult for people who have trouble with movement.

This exercise adapts aerobics by slowing the tempo and using gentler motions, making it accessible for anyone.

Find a calmer rhythm than the original song and move your body as if buoyantly engaging your whole body.

Rather than trying to keep up with the music, it’s more important to use your entire body, so it may be best to proceed at a rhythm that suits the participants.

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Brown kobin hand clap

“Brown Little Bottle” — Try the Rhythm Clapping Challenge!

Brown kobin hand clap

Let us introduce the brown Kobin hand-clap that follows the rhythm.

Clap on “Pan,” and take a rest on “Un.” The tempo changes a little partway through the rhythm.

The number of claps also changes to match the tempo.

Clapping along while listening to the rhythm helps refresh both body and mind and fosters communication with those around you.

It’s an activity you can enjoy while seated, so please give it a try.

It’s also recommended to use small instruments like bells while doing it.

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Rhythmic gymnastics with bean throwing

Seated singing exercise: Nursery rhyme “Mame-maki (Bean-Throwing)” — rhythm exercises for seniors and the elderly #seniors #exercise

Rhythmic gymnastics with bean throwing

Bean-throwing is one of the major events in February, isn’t it? Depending on the region, some people throw peanuts or edamame, but in Japan, people have traditionally done bean-throwing on Setsubun in February.

So, we’d like to introduce a rhythm exercise perfect for February: a bean-throwing themed routine.

Move your body to the children’s song “Mamemaki.” Sit in a chair and, while singing, extend your hands and feet forward.

An exercise with a bean-throwing theme can help older adults connect with the current season.

Also, using a familiar song makes it easier for many seniors to join in.

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Rhythmic exercises with carp streamers

Song exercise you can do while seated: 'Children’s Song – Koinobori (Iraka no Nami)'. Rhythm exercises for seniors and older adults. #seniors #exercise #rhythmicExercise

Rhythmic exercises with carp streamers

Do you know the “ikarano-nami” that appears in the children’s song Koinobori? One theory says that ikarano-nami refers to the wave-like pattern formed by the ridge tiles at the peak of a tiled roof.

When you listen to Koinobori, you can imagine the carp streamers swimming as the waves of clouds and the ikarano-nami overlap.

These days, it seems we don’t sing or hear the version of Koinobori that mentions ikarano-nami as often.

Some older people may find Koinobori nostalgic.

If you do exercises themed around carp streamers, you might be able to feel the season while you move.

Try moving your body to the song’s expansive tune and melody.

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In conclusion

A hand game that uses “Moshimo Shikameyo,” a tune familiar to many older adults.

There are many variations—not only moving the hands, but also the feet or the whole body, and rhythm exercises where you move your hands while singing.

Some of these hand games and exercises look simple but are surprisingly difficult.

Since some seniors may find it hard to move their bodies, please try them within a comfortable range without overexertion.