As a senior’s mobility becomes reduced due to age, illness or health event, they might find themselves struggling to find some activities to occupy their time. The ones they used to enjoy may be more difficult to do, and coming up with ideas for new ones that can be done even with limited mobility may be intimidating. However, there are so many activities that can be incorporated in a healthy and fulfilling life!
7 great activities for seniors with limited mobility
Reduced mobility shouldn’t be something that gets in the way of seniors doing things they enjoy. Even if getting around involves a rollator walker or cane, there are many great activities that they can take part in!
No matter the activity, most seniors and people with mobility challenges can enjoy more life has to offer with an all-terrain rollator walker. Folding, lightweight and with seat built in plus add-on accessories, there’s only one Volaris for quality and all-terrain capabilities!
1. Pick up a new book
Reading is a great way for seniors to spend their time. Whether they are reading fiction or non-fiction, reading regularly has many positive effects, especially related to brain health. Reading can improve memory function, improve sleep, reduce stress and maintain brain engagement which can help delay cognitive decline. Taking a good book and strolling a park to a favorite bench is next-level relaxing. If getting there walking is a challenge, use an all terrain mobility rollator walker.
Reading alone, listening to audiobooks or taking part in a book club are all great ways to incorporate reading into their daily activities.
2. Take up gardening
For someone that loves being outdoors, gardening is the perfect pastime. Even if physical strength and agility are lacking there are a number of ways that a senior can indulge their love of the outdoors with gardening. From planting flowers in small balcony-sized pots to creating a vegetable garden, there are many opportunities for a senior, even if they require some mobility support. Spending time outside is great for a senior’s health and helps stimulate their senses, not to mention the satisfaction that comes with seeing the fruits of their efforts!
3. Exercise
Even if a senior isn’t very mobile and needs support to get around, there are many ways that exercise can be incorporated in their life. Going for a walk with a friend, doing chair exercises, taking a water aerobics class or learning yoga are all low impact and high reward activities that will get the heart pumping and feel-good endorphins flowing.
4. Spend time in the kitchen
Even if a senior doesn’t have too many kitchen skills, learning how to cook or bake is a fun activity that anyone can enjoy. For those who are new to the kitchen, there are many simple recipes that can be a great place to start. Seniors who are well practiced can set a goal to learn a new recipe, or even create one themselves.
5. Get in touch with their creative side
Painting, drawing, colouring, working with clay, playing with beads or even scrapbooking or making a photo album are fun ways to tap into creativity and encourage mental stimulation. Being creative is a great way to encourage socialization and strengthen bonds with friends and family. It can also help decrease negative emotions, reduce stress and anxiety, and even improve medical outcomes in those dealing with health issues or chronic illness.
6. Play some games
From board games to card games, playing a game with friends is always fun. Putting together a puzzle, doing a crossword puzzle, playing cards or picking out a board game is an excellent way to engage a senior and encourage them to build connections with their friends and family. They can also help to stimulate their minds, improving their memory and overall brain function.
7. Give back to the community
Many community groups are looking for people to help them out in a variety of different ways. Depending on the interest and mobility of the senior, they can volunteer their time at a local charity shop, knit blankets for hospitals, or get involved with a church.
Reduced mobility doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do!
Even with reduced mobility or the addition of a rollator walker or cane in order to get around, seniors can still enjoy a wide variety of activities each day. Taking up a new hobby or diving back into an old favourite can help seniors fight cognitive decline, improve their relationships, fight boredom and even cope with medical issues.
