Engaging Crafts That Help Seniors Improve Manual Dexterity
Companion care at home helps seniors stay active and engaged through activities and crafts.
March is National Craft Month and it’s a great time to learn more about crafts that can help your mom or dad stay busy at home and improve their hand strength and manual dexterity at the same time.
Crafts are the perfect hobby for seniors because making things with their hands can actually improve your mom’s or dad’s mental health. And it can help improve their grip strength, dexterity, and flexibility. If you can’t visit your mom or dad often to help them have fun with crafts, companion care at home is a good option.
If your mom or dad has companion care at home, they will be able to spend hours every week crafting with a companion who can help them with crafts, shop for craft supplies, and encourage them to keep trying new crafts.
Some of the best crafts for seniors that can improve their strength and dexterity with the help of companion care at home providers are:
Knitting and Crocheting
Knitting and crocheting are excellent crafts for seniors because they help improve finger strength and coordination. The repetitive movements involved in looping and stitching yarn help keep the fingers moving and flexible.
They also require concentration, which can help seniors stay mentally sharp. Plus, knitting and crocheting allow seniors to create beautiful scarves, blankets, and other handmade items, giving them a sense of accomplishment.
Your mom or dad may want to engage in volunteer work through their crafts, like making blankets for newborn babies or for animal shelters.
Beading and Jewelry Making
Stringing beads onto thread or wire requires careful hand movements, making this craft a great way to improve fine motor skills. Seniors can create necklaces, bracelets, and earrings while strengthening their fingers and improving hand-eye coordination. Beading also encourages creativity, as they can choose from different colors, shapes, and styles to design unique jewelry pieces.
Beading can be tough for seniors that have low vision. If your mom or dad has companion care at home their companion can help them string beads and use tools designed to help seniors see the beads more clearly.
Clay Modeling and Pottery
Working with clay involves molding, pinching, and shaping, which helps improve grip strength and finger flexibility. Seniors can use air-dry clay to create small sculptures, bowls, or decorative pieces without needing a kiln. The squishy texture of clay is also great for reducing stiffness in the hands and promoting relaxation. Pottery classes or home kits can make this activity even more enjoyable and accessible.
Painting and Coloring
Painting and coloring require controlled hand movements that strengthen finger muscles and improve coordination. Using brushes, colored pencils, or markers helps maintain grip strength while allowing seniors to express their creativity. Watercolor painting, acrylics, or even adult coloring books provide a relaxing way to work on hand flexibility while creating beautiful artwork.
Paper Crafts and Origami
Folding, cutting, and gluing paper in different ways helps improve fine motor skills and dexterity. Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is especially good for enhancing hand flexibility. Seniors can start with simple folds and progress to more complex designs, creating beautiful paper animals, flowers, or decorative shapes.
Scrapbooking and making greeting cards are also great paper crafts that combine creativity with fine motor practice.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home in Deerfield, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 948-0860. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette, and the surrounding areas.
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