Activities for Seniors with Limited Mobility

One of the most frustrating aspects of aging for many seniors is limited mobility. What you used to enjoy is twice as hard to do, and that’s upsetting. When you’re a vibrant person who still wants to enjoy life, being limited by disease or injury is especially discouraging. What’s more, those with limited mobility are more likely to experience isolation and loneliness.

Losing mobility doesn’t have to take away a person’s liveliness. Instead, consider these activities for seniors with limited mobility to add joy to your life.

Indoor Activities for Seniors with Limited Mobility

Board Games

For those with limited mobility, even watching one’s favorite television shows or movies gets dull. Break up the monotony of mindless television with board games. Classic games like Clue, Monopoly, Pictionary, and jigsaw puzzles are still wildly available at most retail stores. They can even be played online.

Make it an event by hosting regular board game nights with your friends and family. Invite your guests to bring some of their favorite games so new fun can be had!

Arts and crafts

“Arts and crafts” can mean anything you want it to. For some, that might mean painting. For others, it’s scrap-booking, and for someone else, it may mean needlepoint. Whatever “arts and crafts” mean to you, this hobby is a great way to get the creative juices flowing and feel a sense of accomplishment.

No matter what craft you choose, there is likely a class available in your area. This allows you the freedom to not only have fun but to potentially make friends while doing so.

Cooking or baking

Sometimes, trying new dishes is difficult for seniors with limited mobility. This is not due to lack of wanting, however—it is because too many restaurants are not accessible. So, take your wants into your own hands and try new recipes in the kitchen.

If you don’t have much experience in the kitchen, you don’t have to worry. There are plenty of online resources for you to learn whatever skills you need. Have groceries delivered by a service (or have your home caregiver pick them up) and try something new.

Video games

It’s easy to dismiss video games as disruptive, but they’re no more disruptive than television. Some studies have even shown that video games can improve problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. For seniors who struggle with mobility, this can help.

There are a variety of games for seniors to choose between—from action adventure, to day-in-the-life, to puzzle games on one’s mobile device. There’s no way you won’t be able to find something you like.

Outdoor Activities for Seniors with Limited Mobility

Go for walks

If you have some mobility, go for a walk around your neighborhood or to your local park. Have a family member, friend, or home care aide come along with you just to be certain the walk stays safe. You don’t want to overdo yourself on your own. Try to head to a new park once a month to switch things up.

If you are in a wheelchair, that shouldn’t stop you from getting outside. Most parks have paved sidewalks that will allow you to enjoy the fresh air.

Bird watching

Bird watching is a great option for those who want to get outside, but perhaps don’t want to take a walk around the park. Head to whatever location you’d like, sit on the park bench, and bask in the beauty. There are likely more unique birds in your area than you may think.

The nice thing about bird watching is that you don’t necessarily have to leave your home to study the wildlife. Sit on your porch and take note of the birds that live directly in your area.

Picnic

Make any meal special by having a picnic outside. Choose your favorite dishes that are right for a meal outdoors, and invite your guests to do the same. This is a great way to make an event out of an otherwise mundane task, and it can even be done in your own yard.

This is a fun activity to enjoy with your grandchildren. Children love special, outdoor events such as picnics.

Photography

A lot of people think photography is just as simple as picking up a camera and pressing a button, but it is so much more than that. Lighting, lens choices, and subject composition all make a massive impact on a picture. This is why picking up photography can be a great option for seniors.

Your options for photography around the house are limited, so head outside for some exciting photos either downtown or at a local park. You can even take it a step further by editing your photos in Photoshop when you get home.

Assistance with limited mobility

For seniors with limited mobility, having assistance around, and outside of, the home makes a world of difference in their overall happiness. With the helping hand of a caregiver, suddenly running errands and trying these activities for seniors with limited mobility is accessible again.

At Home Care Powered by AUAF, our trained caregivers can help you stay active. Call 773-274-9262 to learn more about our services.