Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Introducing May-themed Origami!

Social worker / Care workermoko
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.
Physical Therapist / WriterKawamura Mina
From a physical therapist to a writer, driven by the desire to travel the world with just a laptop. I’ve traveled to over 20 countries. I hope to deliver writing that many people are glad to have discovered. Thank you in advance.

Origami is a popular recreational activity in senior care facilities.

Finger exercises are effective for stimulating the brain, and displaying completed pieces or feeling a sense of accomplishment adds to the enjoyment.

May is a month filled with events, such as Children’s Day and Mother’s Day.

So this time, we’ll introduce origami with a May theme.

Origami that activates both the fingers and the brain while feeling the season—and offers a sense of achievement—can be considered an ideal recreation for older adults.

By all means, try making May-themed origami together with the older adults around you.

[For Seniors] Introducing origami themed for May! (71–80)

A large carp streamer wall display

[Wall Decoration] May Dynamic Carp Streamers [Activities for the Elderly] Carp streamer

A large carp streamer wall display

Let’s make a large wall decoration of a koi-nobori (carp streamer) using chiyogami with traditional Japanese patterns.

We’ll create each scale of the carp using two sheets—one plain origami sheet and one chiyogami sheet.

Since the koi-nobori is big, the scales will be on the larger side as well.

It might be nice to have seniors make the scales one by one; while seated, they can work on the scales and naturally enjoy conversations with others during the process.

Use a large sheet of paper to create the body of the carp and attach the scales.

Make the carp’s face and tail fin too, and display it on the wall.

You could also try making a female carp and child carps in the same way.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Wisteria flowers made with origami

[Origami Spring Flowers] How to Fold a Wisteria Flower | Origami Wisteria

Wisteria flowers made with origami

Here’s an idea for wisteria flowers that will instantly brighten up a room when hung from walls or the ceiling.

Prepare origami paper in purple, light purple, yellow-green, and green, then fold the flowers and leaves.

Make the flowers using origami cut in half.

Fold the paper in half lengthwise, unfold it, and then fold both edges inward along the center crease.

Some of the steps are a bit detailed, but using your hands skillfully can help prevent cognitive decline.

The more wisteria flowers you make, the fuller and more beautiful the result will be, so please have the seniors divide the work and create them together.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Wisteria flowers made with origami or tissue paper

[Surprisingly Easy] How to Make Wisteria Flowers [Quick and Simple] Using Tissue Paper ✨ Origami Works Too! May Wall Decorations and Hanging Ornaments

Wisteria flowers made with origami or tissue paper

Let’s make wisteria flowers that sway beautifully.

The video uses tissue paper, but you can make them nicely with origami too! For the central stem, cut a strip of purple construction paper.

Prepare three different sizes of origami paper, as shown in the video.

Fold each piece in half, draw a flower shape, and cut along the lines.

Open it, fold it in half again, apply glue, and attach it to the stem.

By alternating and folding back the pieces in order of size, it looks beautiful from any angle.

Try making a vibrant hanging decoration using light purple, magenta, and pink origami paper!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Origami artwork: wisteria flowers

Origami Work: Wisteria

Origami artwork: wisteria flowers

Let’s try making origami wisteria flowers in the style of tsumami-zaiku (pinching craft).

Fold the origami paper in half, then fold again leaving a small gap at the center and glue it in place.

Turn it over, fold in half, and glue the pointed tip side.

Insert a thin, elongated stick into the crease and gently spread it to create volume.

Make many petals using purple or light purple origami and layer them.

Create long, thin sticks, assemble them in a lattice-like structure, and attach the wisteria flowers to finish.

This project helps with hand exercise and rehabilitation, stimulating the brain and potentially aiding in dementia prevention.

How about using it as a recreational activity in a senior care facility?

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Wreath of daffodils and roses

[Origami] Daffodil and Rose Wreath

Wreath of daffodils and roses

Daffodils bloom until early spring, and roses bloom around late spring, so even though their seasons are offset, both can be said to be representative spring flowers.

This is a simple yet dimensional wreath with a glamorous look that combines daffodils and roses.

Another key point is that the wreath base and stem parts are kept flat, which helps emphasize the three-dimensionality of the daffodil and rose blossoms.

For each flower, it’s important to deliberately add fine creases, cuts, and bends, and to shape them carefully so that a sense of depth and volume comes through.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Standing Kintarō

Origami 3D Kintaro

Standing Kintarō

Kintaro, the folk tale character, has a strong image of power, which makes him perfect for the Children’s Day theme of wishing for growth.

This piece is about recreating Kintaro with origami, paying attention to creases and the shapes of each part to build a three-dimensional figure.

Use skin-toned origami paper for the base, and be mindful of the angles of the folds so it can stand on its own.

Then add decoration: use red origami for the body parts based on a triangle, and black origami for the face part shaped like a square pouch.

Since the body and face are made separately, it’s important to keep an eye on the size balance as you work.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

3D tulip wreath

[Craft Idea] Let's make a cute 3D spring tulip wreath with origami! Spring Origami Tulip Wreath (April wall decoration, senior recreation, day service, occupational therapy, childcare, origami craft, easy 3D, DIY)

3D tulip wreath

Let’s make a three-dimensional tulip with origami.

There are many ways to make origami tulips, right? We’ll cut out tulip shapes, then assemble them by gluing the pieces together.

Use thick paper or construction paper to create a wreath.

Attach tulips with leaves and stems to the wreath.

If you let seniors place the tulips where they like, they’ll enjoy the crafting process even more.

They’re sure to be happy with the cute tulip creation.

They can also take it home and display it.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem