Finding crafts for seniors may seem simple, but once you start thinking about it, it’s not so easy. This is because you have to consider that they are not children, meaning that while they can sometimes act like them, children’s crafts can be too boring or too simple, but also that some “adult” crafts can be too complex and if it’s not something they can do, it can be frustrating. But don’t worry, in this article, I’ve gathered a list of various ideas to help you entertain your seniors. Enjoy the reading!
1.Coloring
This is perhaps the most basic suggestion and is suitable for almost all cases. In recent years, coloring books for adults have begun to proliferate, the options have multiplied, it is no longer necessary to color children’s drawings, which could be a bit heavy, there are now books with mandalas and doodles of all kinds. Illustrations full of beauty and charm to have fun with color.
The practice of coloring in adults and seniors is a fantastic activity, which keeps creative abilities active, hand motor skills and promotes concentration. In addition, they will feel comfortable doing something beautiful and that can be useful, for example, after coloring a mandala could be put as a picture in a room.
I can tell you from personal experience that I have seen in various seniors with Alzheimer’s disease the great benefits of coloring. It helps them to be active, focus and develop their creative abilities. Unfortunately, it’s not a cure, but at least it helps them cope a little better.
2.Stuffed or Rubber Figurines
Another idea that elders could feel comfortable and have fun with, especially if they have young grandchildren or great-grandchildren, is to make characters or dolls out of plush or EVA rubber. For example, puppets or different items to play with, such as food to play with in the kitchen or tools.
The process is quite simple, just cut out from sheets of felt the shape you want to make, in the right color, cut it out, glue the edges or sew them leaving a small hole to put some cotton as padding, and finish the job.
The possibilities are endless and once finished they can spend an afternoon playing with the kids in the house. A very complete activity.
3.Board Games
Once again, I draw on my personal experience to make this suggestion. In people with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, it is very important to keep the mind active, and to that end, simple board games that challenge the mind a little are very helpful (although this is recommended for many other types of cases, not just these in particular). For example, the typical pairs game. The activity can have a double function, first creating the game and then playing with it.
4.Paper Figures
I’m not talking about making origami as such, sometimes there are projects that can be extremely complex even for the most expert, but to make different crafts with paper, from airplanes (which will stimulate them to remember their childhood) or flowers to decorate a party, bow tie mobiles, paper craft… as I repeated throughout the post, the complexity of the project will depend on the ability of the person with whom you work.
5.Wool Crafts
Last but not least, knitting and crocheting are very popular hobbies for our seniors and are enjoyed by most grandmothers. By doing this, they continue to be creative and have the added bonus of making beautiful little gifts for family and friends.
I hope this article has inspired you and will help you spend quality time with your elders doing one of these activities. Do you have any other activities in mind? Share them with us in the comments below.
