Differentiators
Getting older means significantly less mobility.
As you start getting older, you’ll start noticing aches, pains, and fatigue affecting you in ways that they never used to. The recovery times get longer and the consequences of being active in spite of your injuries become that much direr.
It’s a sad fact of aging, but that doesn’t mean you have to confine yourself to your room. There are still plenty of enjoyable activities for seniors with limited mobility. Today, we’re going to go over some of these activities for seniors and hopefully, you’ll be inspired to remain in high spirits in the face of limited mobility.
Don’t let old age get you down, there are lots of ways to enjoy yourself, even if your body isn’t quite what it used to be.
1. Reading
There’s almost nothing better than curling up with a good book and letting the day fly by. Having to stay off your feet is a great excuse to start reading more, so head to the local library or have someone pick up a few books from the store for you, and dive in!
Reading is one of the best ways to flex your mental muscles, so why not try to catch up on some of the classics? Hemingway, Steinbeck, Fitzgerald, and Joyce will always be there for you to keep you company.
2. Get What Exercise You Can
Just because you’re a bit less mobile than your younger self doesn’t mean that you have to stay completely still. Make sure you’re still getting as much exercise as you possibly can or your mobility will get even worse.
Even a short fifteen-minute walk per day is enough to get the blood flowing and give you the energy to do all of the other things you want to do. There’s nothing better for your mental and physical health than exercise, so don’t abandon it.
3. Find Your Creative Self
Creativity is a thing that eludes a lot of us during the prime years of our lives. We get busy with work, spouses, and raising kids, leaving our creative itch unscratched for years on end. When you finally stop running around, you can finally start to find your creativity.
Learn an instrument, start a blog, write a book, or grab some brushes and start painting. It doesn’t have to be good, but you don’t have to show anyone, anyways. Just being creative will make you feel sharper and better about yourself.
4. Brain Games
Another way to work out your mind is by playing brain games. You can play with a friend, family member, or just by yourself. Try out some brain teasers, sudoku, or a daily crossword.
Spending an hour or two per day on things like these can be invaluable for keeping your brain sharp. When you’re less mobile, it’s easy to just sit around and watch TV for hours on end, but that might not be giving you the mental stimulation that you require. Playing games will help!
5. Get Outside
Spending time outdoors is great for your mental health. As we age and become less mobile, it becomes harder to get the motivation to get outdoors, but it’s so important to connect with the nature around you.
Realistically, we should be spending a few hours per day outside, whether it be running around or sitting on a park bench. That goes for everybody, not just senior citizens. So, even if you don’t feel like it, make sure you get outside, be it to read or listen to the birds sing.
6. Movies and Television
Movies and television are the perfect way to escape the mundanity of everyday life. If you’re bored, there are roughly one hundred years of film history to catch up on, which should fill those few hours per day that you can’t think of anything else to do.
Movies are also a great way to socialize with family and friends. Everyone likes movies, so invite someone over to watch one and you can have a relaxing night in.
7. Cooking
Taking up a new hobby is yet another way to keep your mind engaged, even if your body isn’t cooperating. Cooking is something you can learn without having to be overly mobile, plus, you get to eat delicious food as a reward.
Start with smaller, uncomplicated recipes, then gradually work your way up to the more difficult ones. Your physical health, especially as you get older, is so dependent on the types of foods you put in your body. Embrace a healthy diet and learn new ways to cook vegetables to make them enjoyable again.
8. Learn a Language
Another hobby you can undertake is learning a language. Everyone wishes they knew a language and it’s never too late to start traveling. Pick a place that you’ve always wanted to go, whether it be Italy, Germany, or Japan, and start picking away at the basics of the language.
You’ll be surprised how far you get in a short amount of time if you work at it. Now, when you go for a visit, you’ll be more prepared than your travel buddies.
9. Gardening
Caring for a garden is one of the most rewarding things that anyone can do. It is somewhat physically demanding, but only during the planting and harvesting phases, which you can always get someone to help you with.
Once you’ve done the hard stuff, you just have to give it the proper amount of water and wait for everything to grow. Almost nothing compares to the feeling of a bed of flowers or a group of tomato plants successfully sprouting. Plus, it’s incredibly soothing to spend time in a flourishing garden; another thing that’s great for your mental health.
10. The World Is Your Oyster!
At Care Partners, we understand the importance of activities for seniors. When one’s mobility starts to fade away, frustration can start to set in, so we ensure that all of our patients are constantly engaged and feeling happy.
Call us today to discuss our home care and senior placement programs.
