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

mini-golf

Putter golf that seniors can easily enjoy #dayservice #recreation #eldercare

Although it’s spring on the calendar, many of us may still be spending a lot of time in warm indoor spaces.

So this time, we’d like to introduce an indoor putting golf game.

All you need is cardboard and a ball.

Cut various sizes of holes in a flattened piece of cardboard and write in the point values.

To make the game more exciting, assign fewer points to larger holes and higher points to smaller holes.

Once you place the cardboard on the floor, just roll the ball as you would in golf.

You can use a racket, or even a cane you’re comfortable with.

With simple preparation, it’s fun even with a small group, and it’s also effective for improving concentration.

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kojifumi

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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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Sushi rolls made of felt

Easy in 10 minutes! A no-sew handmade felt toy: how to make a sushi roll you can wrap and play with over and over! (All materials from the 100-yen shop) Great for Setsubun play too.

Ehomaki, a food essential for Setsubun, was originally a tradition beloved mainly in the Kansai region, but it spread nationwide after being promoted by convenience stores.

Let’s make a colorful mascot inspired by ehomaki using felt.

Cut felt sheets of various colors to the same width; for the ingredient pieces, use fabric double-sided tape to make narrow strips, and make the rice and nori pieces wide enough to wrap around the ingredients.

Then simply roll the ingredients with the nori and rice to finish.

It’s also recommended to use Velcro or similar to keep it fastened.

The arrangement of the fillings and the way you roll it are great points where your individuality can really shine.

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kappamaki

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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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