Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Enjoy at Day Service: A Roundup of May Craft Ideas

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My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.
Worked as a certified care worker for 17 years.Nanaka
I’ve been working as a certified care worker for 17 years. I’m Nanaka, a caregiving web writer. I decided to pursue this profession because I wanted a job that would help people. Having worked in day care for many years, I’ve experienced a wide variety of recreational activities. Exercise set to music, in particular, always created a cheerful atmosphere and was very well received. I’d be delighted to continue delivering writing that resonates with readers through caregiving-related articles. Thank you for your support.

May is a lovely season of fresh green leaves, isn’t it?

Here are some easy craft ideas perfect for day-service activities in May.

May is full of events like Children’s Day and Mother’s Day.We’ve gathered craft ideas that tie in with those occasions.

Many of the projects introduced here can be taken home and displayed, so you can enjoy looking at them at home.

They also make great gifts for your grandchildren.

Some can even be used for a garden tea party or a stroll, so be sure to give them a try.

[For Seniors] Enjoy at Day Service: Roundup of May Craft Ideas (121–130)

Making a calendar with irises

Iris?

Making a calendar with irises

Here is a calendar featuring irises made from origami.

Irises are beloved as an early-summer tradition, and they are said to be at their best around mid-May.

Some older adults may visit parks or temples to see them in full bloom.

While making origami irises, older adults might also recall past May memories, which could spark lively conversation.

The calendar can be made while seated, making it an activity that many older adults can comfortably take part in.

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Iris made with tissue paper

Kimie Gangi: Origami iris flower made with tissue paper #MayWallDecor #TissuePaper #FiveColoredCranes #ElementarySchool #Kindergarten #Daycare #SeniorFacility #DIY #Ayame #Shobu

Iris made with tissue paper

Why not try making an iris flower wall decoration using tissue paper? Prepare blue or purple and yellow tissue paper, as well as green construction paper.

Cut the blue and yellow tissue paper into small squares.

Glue one blue and one yellow piece together to create the flowers.

There are several steps that involve using scissors, so please have staff assist anyone who is not comfortable with scissors.

Use the green construction paper to make stems and leaves, then display them on the wall.

The contrast between deep blue or purple and yellow will create beautiful iris flowers.

Craft activities are great for finger dexterity training and dementia prevention.

Everyone, give it a try!

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Kashiwa-mochi decorations

(100-yen shop) Children's Day decorations: How to make kashiwa mochi [DIY] Kashiwa mochi

Kashiwa-mochi decorations

Perfect for a May craft activity! Here’s how to make a kashiwa-mochi decoration using materials from a 100-yen shop.

Mark a guideline on a polystyrene ball and cut it in half with a craft knife.

Follow the line and round off the edges of the cut surface so it looks curved.

Glue on white fabric, then trim any excess fabric with scissors.

Wrap it with a kashiwa (oak) leaf made from green felt, and your kashiwa-mochi decoration is done in no time.

In senior care facilities, you can prepare any steps involving blades in advance to ensure safety, making this a great option for recreation.

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Lily of the valley corsage

[No-Sew] Felt Lily of the Valley Corsage / Entrance Ceremony / School Enrollment Ceremony / DIY felt lily of the valley

Lily of the valley corsage

A corsage is an accessory worn on clothing for celebrations and festive occasions, typically a floral ornament attached to women’s dresses or outfits.

It might be nice to attend a special day wearing a corsage you made yourself.

Older adults may feel a special sense of joy, too.

Here’s an idea for a lily-of-the-valley corsage made from felt without sewing.

You’ll roll the felt to create the lily-of-the-valley.

As you make this charming piece, it may lift the spirits of older adults and spark lively conversation with those around them.

It also looks lovely when arranged on a hat or attached to a bag.

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[For Seniors] Enjoy at Day Service: Summary of May Craft Ideas (131–140)

Carp streamers made with chirimen (crepe) craft

[Stylish ✨] How to Make a Koinobori 🎏 [Indoor Decoration] Chirimen Craft

Carp streamers made with chirimen (crepe) craft

Chirimen fabric is often leftover from cutting kimonos, and these days you can even find it at 100-yen shops.

Chirimen has a refined texture that’s both soft and supple.

Here’s how to make a carp streamer (koinobori) decoration using chirimen fabric.

Draw the koinobori pattern on the back side of the chirimen, then place another piece of chirimen of the same size on top.

Pin the two pieces so they don’t shift and sew them together.

Once you’ve finished sewing, trim the excess, turn it inside out, and stuff it with cotton.

Add the head, eyes, and fins to finish.

It’s a project that sewing-loving seniors can also enjoy making.

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Azaleas and butterflies

[Craft Idea] Azaleas and Butterflies (May Wall Decoration) (Elderly Recreation, Occupational Therapy OT, Day Service, Childcare) (Origami, Flowers, 3D, Easy Craft, Origami DIY) Azalea and Butterfly Wall Decoration

Azaleas and butterflies

Azaleas, which bloom in vivid pinks and purples, are at their best from mid-April to mid-May.

As a May wall decoration idea, how about making azaleas and butterflies? Let’s fold azaleas using red and pink origami.

First, make crease lines and use them as guides as you fold.

While the paper is still folded, cut it with scissors into the shape of petals.

Then use the scissors to round and shape the cut petals.

For the butterflies, using washi-patterned origami will really make them stand out.

Butterflies fluttering over a brightly colored field of azaleas is sure to lift the spirits of anyone who sees it.

Please use this as a reference!

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banner flag

[Children's Day] 🎏 How to Make a Carp-Streamer Banner 🎏 [With a Bonus Calligraphy Segment at the End] Handmade Banner Flag DIY

Along with carp streamers and May dolls, some households also raise nobori flags for Boys’ Day (Tango no Sekku).

They’re especially essential for a child’s first Boys’ Day celebration.

Let’s try making one of these nobori flags by hand.

Older adults might enjoy reminiscing about past Boys’ Day celebrations as they craft.

Fold chirimen crepe or other Japanese-patterned fabrics to form the flag.

Since you’ll use double-sided tape for adhesion, there’s no sewing required.

For the family crest, craft metal parts make attachment easy.

You can also add a name, so including your grandchild’s name is a lovely touch.

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