ExecutiveChronicles | 9 Activities for Seniors with Limited Mobility | As you age, your body changes and you may find that engaging in activities that you used to like and enjoy becomes difficult.
Limited mobility is one of the things that a majority of seniors suffer from at some point in life. Your loss of mobility could be due to an injury you sustained, arthritis, or even stroke.
When that happens, physical as well as leisure activities become a thing of the past which not only ends up affecting your physical health but mental health as well.
Luckily, as a senior, a loss of mobility doesn’t mean abandoning everything good you used to like. There are still ways that you can keep living your life to the fullest despite your loss of mobility.
We’ve compiled a few activities that you might enjoy trying to keep you active and engaged both physically and mentally and you might want to explore online therapy.
Start reading
Reading is one of the best ways you can spend your time as a senior. It is not only fun but also gives your brain a good workout in the process.
Since you have limited mobility to engage in intense physical activities, reading will keep you occupied in the meantime.
Reading has been proven to help in dealing with stress, improve sleep and memory all while delaying cognitive decline that is common with aging.
Whether it’s magazines, physical books, e-books, or audiobooks, go ahead and do it. If you don’t want to read alone, you might want to organize a book club with a few friends to keep you socially engaged.
Consider regular exercises
I know what you are thinking! How can someone with limited mobility enjoy exercising? Even with limited mobility, there are still light exercises that might suit you.
Exercising is a great way to keep you physically and mentally engaged which in the long run helps improve your health.
Simple exercises like sitting and standing can help improve your mood and health in the long run. There are also plenty of exercises that you can do using a walker to help with stability. Just check with your doctor first and make sure to wear a medical alert device in case of an emergency.
Keep your mind engaged with games
As a senior, you may have a lot of time on your hands, and puzzles and games are a great way of spending that time.
Games keep your mind active while helping delay or even prevent cognitive decline and there are so many that you can choose from.
From jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles to classic card games, there is so much you can do whether alone or with friends.
Catch up on TV shows and movies
While spending the whole day glued to the TV is not the healthiest of past time, with limited mobility, catching up on a movie or two or a TV show a few times a week can keep you mentally engaged.
When watching TV, you can integrate it with something new you are trying to learn, like a hobby.
For instance, documentaries and reality TV shows like those found on the Travel Channel or Food Network can inspire you to learn new recipes or consider new travel destinations.
Besides watching TV, listening to music is also a great way to spend your time. Music on its own can help reduce anxiety, stress, and even pain while improving immune function and memory.
Be charitable
Even as a senior with limited mobility, there is so much you can do for the community around you.
There are so many charities that could use your help. Contact hospitals, local charities as well as religious groups to find out if there are any projects that you might contribute to.
Go outdoors
Limited mobility doesn’t mean spending your time inside the house. Going outdoors to spend some time in nature can help relieve stress and boost your mood.
Being outdoors could mean something as simple as sitting near a window or the porch to get some fresh air and change the scenery.
Consider gardening
Gardening has a way of helping you relax. With limited mobility, you might not be in a position to tend to outdoor gardens though.
So, what can you do? An indoor herb garden also counts as gardening. All you require is a box or a small pot to sow your seeds and then place it in an area where there is direct sunlight.
Such a small garden will be something that you can look forward to where you get to tend to the plants every day.
Engage in creative activities
As you get older, your cognitive ability is likely to decline with time but you can delay that by keeping your mind engaged.
Activities that call for creative thinking can help keep your brain sharp while helping strengthen other muscles in the body.
You might want to consider enrolling in a drawing, sculpture, painting, or knitting class. Other projects that you might engage in include scrapbook creation, organizing your family photo albums, or even making a family recipe book that can be passed down from one generation to another.
Entertain visitors
When you have limited mobility, you are likely to spend most of your time at home which can be rather boring and could even lead to feelings of isolation.
Inviting friends and even family over is a great way to keep you socially engaged. Think about how great it would be when your grandkids and great-grandkids are running around in the house.
Conclusion
Limited mobility is one of the things you have to deal with as you get older. You don’t however, have to let that situation define you. There is so much you can do whether it means going outside for a few hours, painting, reading, watching TV, or playing games.
Visit Loaids.com for more senior tips and activities.
