Over 35% of adults over the age of 70 suffer from mobility issues. If you’re an older adult with limited mobility, maybe you can no longer engage in your favorite hobby. However, limited mobility doesn’t have to mean diminished quality of life! You can still enjoy life and make the most of every day. Here are 10 fun activities to try today.
1. Puzzles
Whether it’s a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle or a crossword, puzzles challenge our brains and get all the neurons firing. In fact, it’s scientifically proven that puzzles delay the onset of dementia and other memory disorders. Talk about beneficial!
2. Arts and crafts
Remember when you used to have craft hour in school? It’s time to bring back that tradition. Much like puzzles, arts and crafts have numerous benefits for older adults—from engaging your brain to improving emotional health. For some fun and easy ideas, try making a suncatcher or painting a portrait of beautiful scenery. You could even try your hand at jewelry-making!
3. Indoor gardening
Indoor gardening has gained popularity among both millennials and Baby Boomers in recent years (according to Garden Media Group). From herbs to houseplants to vegetables, there are dozens of options from which any would-be green thumb can choose. If you’re new to the indoor garden world or just gardening in general, you might want to start with a few low-maintenance plants. Spider plants and moth orchids are noted as good choices for beginners.
4. Birdwatching
The stereotypical image of a birdwatcher is an older man or woman, usually white-haired and bespectacled, with a flannel waistcoat and binoculars draped around their neck. They’re fanatical about birdwatching, a walking dictionary of all things avian. A bird flies past them while they’re mid-conversation? They hush the other person and fumble for their binoculars. While such stereotypes may have made people reluctant to embrace birdwatching, it’s an easy and fun activity that older adults can do from anywhere! You don’t even need binoculars. To make the activity more educational, invest in a field guide.
5. Flower arranging
Most people love a good flower arrangement. They’re beautiful and fragrant, a combination that makes them a common household fixture. If you’re Team Flower Arrangement, why not try your hand at making a few yourself? Flower arranging is not only fun; it can actually improve one’s cognitive and emotional health. Not to mention, it can even improve dexterity and preserve motor function—particularly advantageous for older adults suffering from arthritis.
6. Video games
Maybe you consider video games a sensory overload, a kaleidoscope of flashing lights, bright colors, and too many buttons. Or maybe you’ve been an avid gamer since the Atari days. Whether you’re a pro gamer or someone who’s never held a controller, video games can be a fun hobby for older adults with limited mobility. Try downloading gaming apps on your phone. Or, if you’re looking for a more immersive experience, you could always buy a gaming PC or gaming device. Many sites also offer FREE online chess and poker, for all the chess fans and card sharks reading this.
7. Swimming
If you’re an older adult with limited mobility, there’s a pretty good chance exercise has fallen by the wayside. But you don’t have to jog on a treadmill or lift weights to stay in shape. You could always try swimming! Considered an ideal choice for older adults, swimming boasts a myriad of health benefits. It’s easy on the joints, builds muscle strength, and can even improve cardiac health!
8. Scrapbooking
If you’re the sort of person who loves studying your family history, you might want to look into scrapbooking. It’s the perfect way to preserve those precious memories and moments you never want to forget. If you have physical pictures lying around the house, use them in your next scrapbooking project. Plus, you can really flex your creative muscles and have a lot of fun with it!
9. Fishing
Fishing is popular with people of all ages, and for good reason. All you need is a pole, a pond, and a little patience! Even older adults with limited mobility can fish. This is a great way to spend time with friends or get a little fresh air and sunshine. Even if you don’t catch a fish, you’ll still be glad you went.
10. Creative writing
You don’t have to be Charles Dickens to write a story. Creative writing can be enjoyed by people of all skill levels. All you need is some paper (or a word processor) and a little creativity! If you’re not sure where to start, websites like Reedsy and The Narrative Arc provide daily and weekly writing prompts. If you’re more of a nonfiction buff, jot down a few memories from your childhood. With writing, the possibilities truly are endless!
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