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Due to age and different conditions, seniors start to lose their mobility abilities. However, just because moving around isn’t as easy as it used to be doesn’t mean it’s impossible. In this stage, hobbies and enjoyable activities are even more important to maintain positive mental health, memory and cognitive skills in check.
If you or a loved one has lost some mobility, there’s no reason to give up having fun. We’ve compiled this list of 8 fun activities for seniors with limited mobility to engage in so that life continues to be a true pleasure.
Fun Activities For Seniors With Limited Mobility To Engage In
#1 – Reading and Book Clubs
Reading comes with many benefits, such as improving brain functions as it serves as a powerful workout for the mind, keeping seniors up to date with what’s happening in the world and learning new things. Numerous studies have shown that reading improves memory and sleep, reduces stress and delays cognitive decline.
To add a social element, book clubs become one of the best activities for seniors with limited mobility, as it provides them with the opportunity to interact with like-minded people and share thoughts, opinions and ideas around the books read, all while promoting creativity and benefits of friendly gatherings.
#2 – Explore New Hobbies
Exploring a new hobby is always exciting and a great activity for seniors with limited mobility to engage in as they can implement their creativity and skills without needing to move around too much. Consider learning a new language – which can be done through online tools, such as Fluentu or Duolingo -, getting into gardening, cooking, playing a musical instrument, birdwatching or knitting. There’s an unlimited amount of new things to learn out there and putting one’s skills to the test can be a great mood booster for anyone.
#3 – Regular Exercise
Although movement is more difficult at this stage, this doesn’t mean it should be stopped altogether. There are many exercise routines one can engage in regardless of age and mobility. For example, seniors can enjoy water aerobics, which provide improved flexibility and cardiovascular health, reduced body fat and rehabilitation from injury and illness.
Chair yoga, tai chi and other gentle exercise routines focused on certain body parts and especially directed at people with limited mobility can be great opportunities to enjoy the mental and physical benefits of working out regularly.
#4 – Spend Time Outdoors
Even for seniors with limited mobility, simply sitting on the porch or a nearby park, strolling around in their wheelchair to get some fresh air and change of scenery can be of great help because getting outside and experiencing time in nature is relaxing and a great mood booster.
#5 – Exercise Creativity
Creative activities help increase positive emotions and decrease negative ones for people battling chronic illness, all while reducing stress and anxiety and exercising the brains cognitive functions. A few activities that seniors with limited mobilities can engage in to fuel their creativity involve drawing, photography, writing, making scrapbooks or photo albums, painting, sculpturing or creating a book with family history or recipes.
#6 – Play Games
Games and puzzles are great ways to have fun either by yourself or in the company of others. With such a wide variety of crosswords, board games, and card games out there, finding one to spend time with is easier than ever; they’re even available online!.
#7 – Enjoy Movies, TV Shows Or Music
While sitting in front of the TV all day is not a recommended activity, enjoying movies or particular TV shows from time to time can be a fun activity to stay aware of the world around you. You our your loved one with limited mobility might enjoy watching a documentary on a particular subject you’re interested in, or learning about another part of the world via a travel TV show.
Music, on the other hand, provides great health benefits as listening and singing along to tunes that you love reduces stress and anxiety, helps memory and improves brain and immune function.
#8 – Participate In Charitable Or Community Work
Even for seniors with limited mobility or those who are homebound, giving back to the community is still an option to stay engaged and feel a sense of accomplishment and purpose.
Contact local charities, hospitals, religious or community organizations and ask to see if there’s anything you or your loved one can contribute to. From knitting to helping assemble care packages, baking treats or even playing with dogs and cats at a local shelter, there’s always something fun to do in order to help others in need.