With aging often comes several aches and pains that limit a person’s activities. Their muscles are longer strong enough to climb a mountain, their joints agile sufficient to run a marathon, or their bones strong enough to carry a heavy backpack across the country. As an older adult, your senior loved one may have lost the physical and mental capacity to do what they used to love. That does not mean you should let them sit inside their rooms for the rest of their lives. There are hobbies that they can still engage with despite their issues with mobility.
Reading
Reading is, perhaps, one of the best hobbies that anyone, regardless of age, can have. It stimulates the mind by presenting new ideas and showing different perspectives. The activity does not require them to move as much.
It is the perfect hobby for those in senior living facilities. It will keep their minds sharp, prevent cognitive decline in old age, reduce stress, and promote better sleep.
Most importantly, reading may aid in alleviating symptoms of depression. Depression, unfortunately, is common among those 60 and older. Books provide a temporary escape from the real world and adventure on their bed or couch.
Painting
Painting is another fun activity that does not get physically tiring but has numerous benefits for the mind. It’s beneficial for seniors who are grappling with dementia and have lost the capacity to communicate their thoughts and emotions properly. It provides an avenue for them to share and express themselves meaningfully. The painting also improves mental and emotional health. It is a calming activity that relieves stress and other negative emotions. It gives them something fun and productive to do while they are days away.
Writing
Seniors love to reminisce and tell stories from their youth. Writing, therefore, would be an activity that they will enjoy. Through writing, older adults can be creative, exercise their vocabulary, and tap into their long-term memory. They can write their memoir, or they can start writing a journal every day. If they prefer fiction or poetry, it is not too late to write the next best American novel or complete a book of poems.
Music
Music is therapeutic. Whether you are playing an instrument or listening to the radio, music can make everyone feel better. The benefits to those who can play a musical instrument include faster reaction times and improved memory. To those who have dementia, music makes it easier to access their memories. Hearing a melody they enjoyed in their youth will help them recall names and long-forgotten events.
Spending Time in Nature
It is not a bad day outside, surrounded by trees and wildlife. Previous studies have proven that being around nature can do wonders for mental and emotional well-being, even for a few minutes daily. Time outdoors also means getting ample sun exposure.
Sunlight is a primary vitamin D source, which the body uses to strengthen bones and boost the immune system. In short, being outside is good for the mind and body. No matter how simple it may be, having a hobby will significantly help your senior loved one. It prevents boredom and may even help reduce their risk of experiencing depression.
