5 Fun Activities for Seniors with Limited Mobility

As we enter our golden years, we still want to enjoy everything life has to offer. Unfortunately, this can be challenging for the 35% of older adults with mobility limitations. Painful chronic health conditions, muscle weakness, balancing issues, and neurological difficulties all make seniors more susceptible to fall-related injuries. This may prevent them from participating in hobbies that once added joy and meaning to their lives.

Regaining Enrichment Through Activities

If you have mobility issues, that doesn’t automatically mean you must live a sedentary life. Seniors can still enjoy plenty of enriching activities without putting themselves at risk.

Here are five engaging activities for seniors with mobility challenges that can boost your mood, improve cognition, and nurture your creativity.

1. Engage Your Brain

Brain games, such as crossword puzzles and sudoku, are both enjoyable and beneficial for seniors with limited mobility. These games are fun to play by yourself or with others. They can also sharpen your problem-solving skills, improve your memory, and maintain cognition.

Are you looking for new games to try? Explore dozens of free brain games here.

2. Get Creative

Older adults with mobility challenges can nurture their creativity from the comfort of their couch. Scrapbooking, watercoloring, drawing, and knitting are all excellent hobbies for seniors to try. Being creative can also reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, supporting your mental well-being. Plus, you’ll get the satisfaction of creating something beautiful and completely unique.

3. Take an Online Class

Have you always wanted to learn a new language? Want to enhance your accounting skills? There is a wide variety of online classes that will teach you just about anything! Watch free YouTube tutorials from your laptop or tablet. Or enroll in a masterclass series. Learning new skills helps seniors improve their memory and critical thinking while preventing cognitive decline.

4. Low-Impact Chair Exercises

Even if they feel unsafe doing so, it’s essential for seniors to move their bodies. Physical activity promotes muscle strength, flexibility, coordination, bone and joint health, and cardiovascular functioning.

Seniors with limited mobility can try low-impact chair exercises to stay in shape. A few exercises to try include:

Seated forward bends
Seated bicep curls
Ankle and wrist rolls
Heel slides
Band pull-apart
Seated hip marches
Seated shoulder presses

Do a quick Google search to find chair workouts that safely accommodate your mobility level. And always be sure to check with your physician before beginning any new workouts to make sure they approve of them first.

5. Volunteering

You may think you have to leave the house to participate in community service activities. However, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities seniors can do from home. Volunteer for a helpline, knit blankets or scarves for those less fortunate, make care packages, or organize meal deliveries.

Enjoy Your Favorite Hobbies with Visiting Angels of Scranton

Visiting Angels of Scranton, PA provides award-winning, personalized companion care services to seniors throughout Scranton, Waverly, Pittston, and the surrounding areas of Lackawanna, Wyoming, Luzerne, and Columbia counties. Our friendly and supportive companion caregivers will play games with you, help you cook, and provide social interaction that brightens your day.

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