Why do Seniors Like Knitting?

It’s cliché to see seniors on television or in movies sitting in a circle with a pair of needles, knitting scarves or hats for their grandchildren. But is there a reason we’ve grown to associate this hobby with older adults? Why do seniors like knitting?

In truth, knitting has a great deal of both mental and physical benefits for older adults to benefit from. These reasons have risen knitting into popularity.

Improves hand-eye coordination and relieves aches

Knitting involves a lot of small movements of the hands, making it almost like a workout for your fingers and forearms. In order to cut the yarn from a yarn mill and create a garment, you must have good hand-eye coordination. And while you may initially struggle with the intricate movements, the activity is said to be beneficial for those with tendinitis and arthritis.

Great for mental dexterity

Finding activities to stimulate one’s brain is important to the overall cognitive function of older adults—and knitting is a great way to do that. With the different knitting needles to use and unique stitches to learn, seniors are constantly enhancing their cognition. By building these new neural pathways and connections, seniors see improvements in their memory and problem-solving skills.

A relaxing hobby that reduces blood pressure

For a few minutes, or hours, a day, knitting gives seniors the opportunity to switch off their brains and focus on a methodical, relaxing activity. While knitting, their heart rate slows down and their blood pressure lowers. This can have long-term benefits, such as preventing heart disease.

It can be a social activity

Knitting clubs, like the ones mentioned at the top of this article, exist for a reason. They give seniors an opportunity to practice their craft, learn from others, and form friendships. For those who live alone, this is especially a fantastic opportunity. As an added benefit, many knitting circles come together to create items for a good cause, such as hospitals or the homeless.

Creates a sense of purpose and accomplishment

Planning, working on, and completing a knitting project does wonders for one’s morale. After retiring, many people find that they miss having a goal to strive for. Knitting gives older adults a skill to accompish, an object to complete, and a sense of achievement.

Get the help of an at-home caregiver

If you find certain daily activities—like cooking, running errands, or personal hygiene tasks—are more difficult than they once were, you may benefit from the help of an at-home caregiver. For 30 years, Home Care Powered by AUAF has provided seniors with the support they need to live comfortably and confidently in their homes.

For more information on our caregiver programs, call us at (773) 274-9262. We would be happy to speak with you about them.