As we age, many of us become less agile and our energy level lessens. But just because we aren’t as mobile or don’t have the endurance that we used to, doesn’t mean we should just give up on the idea of being as active as possible.
Staying active is a vital part of our physical and mental well-being. When seniors are kept busy, their minds remain clear, their memories sharp, and their spirits high. But it’s important regardless of age to tailor our activity level to fit our capabilities. If an activity doesn’t capture your interest, you won’t have your heart in it and you’re unlikely to remain motivated, right? The same is true for our senior loved ones.
Here are some stimulating activities for seniors with limited mobility:
Explore their artistic side
Painting, drawing, sculpting, coloring, and scrapbooking are different forms of creating, but they are all great ways for older Americans to exercise their hands and their minds at the same time. You can participate in these activities with your senior loved one or they can pursue them on their own. If Mom or Dad is an experienced artist, encourage them to try something advanced. But, if they’re not, a box of crayons and a coloring book are all you need to bring back fun memories of their youth, hopefully inspiring a pleasant conversation.
Rekindle an old pastime or start a new one
Baking or cooking, playing a musical instrument, knitting, sewing, or tending to plants are all hobbies that seniors can enjoy. If these activities are something your Mom or Dad enjoyed when they were younger, taking part in them now could trigger happy memories to resurface. But whether they’re familiar activities or new endeavors, there is always something more to learn, regardless of your age.
Play some games
There are all sorts of games good for keeping seniors’ minds sharp and focused. Old standards like chess and checkers are great when there’s another person around to participate. Solitaire, word finds, and crossword puzzles are great options during alone time. Playing online is also a great option, with choices like Scrabble, Tetris, and card games to choose from. That is an advantage of online games — there’s always something to play, no matter the time of day.
Get outside
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors, ranging from a leisurely stroll through the park to gardening. If your loved one isn’t up to tending a full garden and isn’t comfortable spending a lot of time on their knees, consider helping them set up a potted garden that makes tending to the flowers, vegetables, and herbs more manageable. Some senior communities offer outdoor exercise programs designed to have low impact on older joints and muscles. Even if they just sit on a bench, getting some fresh air can be very stimulating and offers a welcome change of pace.
Explore their Roots
Searching through the family tree, whether online, at the public library or in your family records, is a great way to bond with a senior relative. Online services like Ancestry.com make it easy not only to find information about your family history, but also to connect with distant relatives. You can help your senior loved ones add their own recollections, photos, and data for future generations to learn about.
Put it on paper
If your senior loved one isn’t really a “computer person,” that’s not a problem. All you need is a pen and a notebook to unleash their creativity through the power of writing. There are plenty of options to choose from — something of a lost art is the practice of writing longhand letters. Encourage your parents to commit their thoughts to paper and share them with friends and family members. They could also scratch their writing itch by logging in a journal or even by creating short stories or poetry.
Tune in
Listening to music has been found to decrease stress and anxiety, help us stay focused and energized and to process our emotions. But it can be especially helpful for seniors with dementia, helping them to focus their thoughts better and improving their memory.
While this list of activities for seniors with limited mobility is a good starting point to help get your senior loved one active, there are numerous possibilities designed to suit people with different interests. The important thing about exercise, whether it’s mental or physical, is that it doesn’t necessarily matter what they choose to do, as long as they choose to do something!
