[For Seniors] Recommended Events for February: Fun Ideas to Fill Everyone with Smiles

fashion show

Preventing Traffic Accidents Among the Elderly: Reflective Material Fashion Show (17/04/11)

February 9 is designated as “Clothing Day” in Japan because of a wordplay on the date.

How about holding a fashion show to mark the occasion? Whether it’s outfits you wouldn’t normally wear—flashy clothes, formal attire like dresses and tuxedos—or even surprising choices like school uniforms or idol costumes, letting everyone choose their favorite outfits and put on a fashion show is sure to liven things up! If any staff members are skilled at makeup, they could handle hair and makeup to enhance the fashion show atmosphere, too.

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utatane

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Recommended for class activities! Draw your favorite demon

February Mural [Which Oni Face Catches Your Eye!?]

When it comes to February events, many of us think of Setsubun.

And when we say Setsubun, we think of ogres (oni).

How about making unique oni crafts as a recreation activity? Please have the staff prepare the basics in advance—the oni face base, horns, hair, and so on.

Let the older adults draw and add the rest, and each person’s creativity will shine through in their finished oni.

Some might make oni with one or two horns, or even a one-eyed oni—each one full of personality.

If these handmade oni are displayed on the facility’s walls, brightening up the rooms, some people may feel a sense of the season and grow attached to them.

It’s a project that builds excitement for Setsubun and is enjoyable to make.

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Nakajima Junko

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Warm-Body Exercises

[Seniors] This is the perfect winter workout! Warm-Your-Body Exercises – Summary Edition [Health Exercise]

In February, when the cold is at its peak, you can feel chilly even indoors.

How about trying some warming exercises that help keep older adults cozy, whether they’re in a senior facility or attending day services? Once you finish warm-up stretches to loosen the body, start the routine.

By working through exercises in order—beginning with mouth movements, then moving on to ankle mobility and shoulder blade exercises—you’ll warm up the body.

After finishing movements for the waist and feet, end with deep breathing.

By trying these easy, seated exercises, you can raise your body temperature and also expect training benefits.

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mutō

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maneki-neko (beckoning cat)

[Origami Cat] Lucky Maneki Neko that beckons happiness

Do you know what day February 22 is? If you love cats, you might already know—it’s Cat Day.

It’s said to have been set on that date because the sound of a cat’s meow, “nyan-nyan,” resembles the numbers.

Since cats don’t need daily walks like dogs, many older people keep cats, too.

So why not share a little happiness by making an origami Maneki-neko (beckoning cat) and giving it as a gift? It can be tricky until you learn the folds, but once you finish one, you’ll be able to make more in no time.

Add some gold or red paper and the result will look almost like a real Maneki-neko.

May the Maneki-neko bring good fortune and auspicious beginnings this spring!

Newspaper Clipping Activity

Valentine’s recommendation! Newspaper cutouts – today’s brain training, senior exercise for care prevention, and dementia prevention

This activity involves creating a heart shape for Valentine’s Day by carefully tearing pieces of newspaper by hand.

Visualize the shape you want to make clearly, and pay close attention to the fine hand movements that match it.

Newspaper has fibers, and it tears differently along the vertical and horizontal directions, so recognizing that is key to tearing neatly.

You can also try other prompts like stars, and aim for more intricate shapes—highly recommended.

Focus on detailed finger movements and how you apply pressure to thoroughly train your fingertips.

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kappamaki

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Kabuki Day Word Association Game

[Word Association Game] Kabuki Programs

An association game themed around kabuki, one of Japan’s traditional performing arts.

February 20, the day when Izumo no Okuni first performed kabuki odori, is known as Kabuki Day, making this perfect for those looking for February recreations.

Give older adults the prompt: “Write down as many kabuki plays as you can think of.” People who are knowledgeable about each play can present what they know, and everyone can discuss together—it’s a great conversation starter.

It’s a recreation that both deepens knowledge about kabuki and evokes a sense of nostalgia.

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mutō

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Roasted Sweet Potato Making

Fluffy campfire-baked sweet potatoes and taro—wrap them in newspaper and aluminum foil and roast!

In February, when you can feel the chill of midwinter, let’s make some sweets that will warm you up from the inside.

Sweet potatoes, a classic seasonal treat from autumn through winter, are also popular among older adults.

You can enjoy both the fun of making a bonfire outdoors and the delight of eating freshly baked sweet potatoes.

Having your favorite seasonings on hand—like butter or salt—will give you more ways to customize them.

Try dividing responsibilities, such as wrapping the potatoes in aluminum foil or gathering firewood, and give it a go.

It’s a recreational activity that will spark lively conversations filled with memories.

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mutō

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