More than 50 million people over the age of 65 have limited mobility in America. However, this does not stop them from leading enriching and fulfilling lives. There are many enjoyable activities that seniors with limited mobility can participate in. As long as you’re creative, many activities can be adjusted to suit someone with limited mobility. Check out some of our favorite fun activities for seniors now!
Pick up Reading
Books are food for the soul, as well as fertilizer for the mind. If you read the right books, they will become your gateway to a healthier and happier life. Reading provides mental stimulation and boosts our intelligence, exposing us to novel ideas, lessons, and truths. Reading also gives our minds meaningful ideas to think about, and can inspire us to come up with new ones. Most importantly, reading is an intellectual activity that keeps our minds young. In a global climate that is now rife with cases of COVID-19, there has never been a more opportune time to stay away from the crowds and pick up reading in the safety and comfort of our own homes.
Play an Exciting Game of Mahjong
Mahjong promotes mobility of the mind and fingers. It is a mentally stimulating game that necessitates strategizing and skill, and this, in turn, fosters exciting gameplay, which is sure to keep seniors meaningfully engaged. In fact, according to Professor Cheng Sheung Tak from the Hong Kong Institute of Education, mahjong is an enjoyable activity that keeps seniors mentally active, and helps to lift their moods.
Moreover, mahjong is a social game as it requires three or more people to play. As such, participating in a game of mahjong will not only sharpen seniors’ cognitive abilities, but also provide them with an avenue to build social capital and spend quality time with their loved ones.
Therefore, mahjong is both a brain booster and a tool for seniors to strengthen their social and familial ties. Round up your family and friends for a game of mahjong now!
Participate in Social Activities
The need to connect to the people around us is as fundamental as our need for food and water. Therefore, it is vital for seniors to socialize and have strong community support. So, get out there, meet some new people, and spend time with your loved ones!
You can also participate in activities and events organized by your community. With a range of social and recreational activities, such as game nights and themed parties, you are bound to enjoy yourself! What about visiting the farmers’ market or fruit orchard with your grandchildren? These outings are sure to generate excitement and anticipation among your family members.
By participating in these activities, you’ll not only have something to look forward to, but also have opportunities to engage in fun and interactive activities, socialize and connect with one another, as well as make new friends.
Find a Creative Outlet for Self-Expression
From publishing your own blog posts, to learning how to paint, there is an endless array of activities that allow seniors to get in touch with their creative side. A fun outlet for unleashing your creativity could be through picking up a new visual arts skill, such as painting and coloring. Additionally, learning handicrafts such as sculpting, woodwork or even pottery, are viable ways for seniors to demonstrate their artistic flair.
Having a creative outlet for self-expression enables seniors to alleviate their feelings of stress, direct their attention away from troubling worries, and prevent them from dwelling on ruminating thoughts. This creative outlet will thus enable seniors to remain focused on a task, which can relieve mental stress and serve as a mood booster.
If you do not have a creative outlet to turn to, or if you are struggling to find one, do take some time to go for a stroll, and observe and reflect on your surroundings. Take notice of what you find yourself intuitively attracted to. Does your focus naturally drift to the intricately iced cakes glistening in the bakery’s display shelf? Or, do you find yourself in awe of the beautiful labyrinthine architecture? Perhaps, you have yet to discover the inner baker, or interior designer in you!
All in all, keeping your mind fit and agile is key to active aging during your golden years and remaining young at heart.
