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 May-Themed Origami! (81–90)

Carp streamer wall decoration

[Elderly Recreation] May Carp Streamer Wall Decoration [Easy Craft] Carp streamer

Carp streamer wall decoration

Why not try making a seasonal carp streamer wall decoration? Since it uses paper cups, it gets a slightly three-dimensional look, which is a nice touch.

First, cut a paper cup into four equal sections to make the body of the carp streamer.

Wrap origami paper around the cup sections to create the scale pattern and glue it on, then add a sticker for the eye to finish.

Fold a samurai helmet, a pinwheel, and irises separately.

Assemble everything and glue it onto a backing sheet.

If you make a set of decorations for the whole year and swap them out, it adds a lovely change to your daily life.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Carp streamers and irises

[Craft Idea] Koinobori and Iris Flowers (May, Spring) (Wall Decorations) (Senior Recreation / OT / Day Service) (Early Childhood Education) (Origami) (Japanese Traditions)

Carp streamers and irises

Speaking of May, it’s all about carp streamers (koinobori) for Children’s Day.

Those koinobori swimming gracefully in the wide sky are a familiar seasonal sight in Japan, and are likely nostalgic for seniors as well.

This time, we’re introducing wall decorations featuring koinobori and irises.

Irises bloom around mid-May, and they pair beautifully when displayed alongside koinobori.

Make the koinobori in any colors you like—the scales really pop when they’re colorful.

Attach the scales to the koinobori, draw the eyes, and it’s done.

For the irises, cut a sheet of origami paper into six equal pieces and make each petal one by one.

Combine the petals, then add the stem and leaves to finish.

Brighten up your senior care facility with these wall decorations that are perfect for clear May skies.

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bamboo shoot

How to fold an origami bamboo shoot – easy! Spring

bamboo shoot

Speaking of spring, it’s the season when bamboo shoots are delicious.

So how about making a bamboo shoot with origami? In this idea, you’ll use two sheets of origami paper of the same size.

Fold the paper into a triangle, then fold the left and right corners inward so that the bottom edge is divided into thirds.

Tuck the right corner into the left corner to complete one part.

Fold the other sheet the same way and insert it into the first part.

Gently pull the inner piece up a little and turn the whole thing over.

Then, fold just the top left and right corners of the inner piece slightly to the back.

It’s simple, and with that, your bamboo shoot is complete!

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onion

[Craft Idea] Onion Crafting (May, Spring) (Senior Activities) (Early Childhood Education) (Wall Decorations) (Vegetables) (Scenery)

onion

Many senior care facilities change their wall decorations with each season.

Some staff may be troubled because the walls end up looking similar every year.

So this time, we’d like to introduce a slightly unusual onion-themed wall decoration.

Sweet and delicious new onions are said to be in season from March to May.

Let’s try making lifelike onions together with the seniors! Crumple a sheet of copy paper into a ball, then insert leaves made from similarly crumpled green origami.

Use pale orange origami to represent the onion skin.

Tie on a string, and your realistic onion is complete! If you also create eaves or a hanging rack to suspend them from, the atmosphere becomes even more authentic.

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Aoi

[Craft Idea] Hollyhock (Aoi) (May) (Wall Decoration • Senior Recreation • Occupational Therapy OT • Day Service • Creative Activity) (Flower Craft Aoi Origami DIY) (Paper Craft)

Aoi

The hollyhock blooms in vivid colors from early to mid-summer.

As a May wall decoration idea, I recommend hollyhocks.

Fold a pink sheet of origami paper into thirds both vertically and horizontally, then cut it into nine small squares.

Use the video as a reference to form the flower shape.

Recreating the inner pattern involves very detailed work, so be careful not to cut yourself.

This extra step makes the flower look authentic, so it’s an important point! Once you’ve made the leaves and butterflies, arrange them and you’re done.

Since there are many fine steps, this project seems perfect for older adults who are skilled at origami and papercutting.

Everyone, give it a try!

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