Staying active and engaged—it’s an important part of growing older. However, for older adults facing mobility challenges, it can be difficult to think of new activities to try. But these are essential to quality of life, so it helps to step in to support your loved one with new ideas.
Some activities for seniors with limited mobility include:
- Chair yoga
- Arts and crafts
- Virtual travel tours
- Music & singing
- Gardening indoors
- Puzzle and board games
These are all incredible ways to make every day special.
Chair Yoga
Chair yoga is an excellent place to start. This is a branch of yoga focusing on gentle movements designed to improve flexibility, balance, and relaxation. It’s perfect for older adults looking to stretch and move without compromising their safety.
Even better, chair yoga can easily be adapted to individual abilities. It can be performed as slowly or quickly as your loved one chooses. This makes it an approachable, enjoyable activity with plenty of benefits.
To encourage them to start, it helps to:
- Find a comfortable and sturdy chair that allows free movement.
- Demonstrate simple poses and movements to show how easy it can be.
- Play calming music to create a soothing atmosphere.
- Join them during a session to make it a shared activity.
- Highlight the physical and mental benefits they can gain over time.
Chair yoga can make a big difference in how your loved one feels every day. It’s an excellent option that brings benefits despite mobility problems.
Arts & Crafts
Creative activities don’t just pass the time. They also bring emotional and mental benefits to make every day enjoyable. This activity provides a great way to help your loved one:
- Express their feelings and emotions through creativity.
- Improve cognitive function and focus.
- Enhance fine motor skills with hands-on projects.
- Foster a sense of accomplishment and pride in their creations.
- Build connections by sharing their art with others.
Encourage them to start with small, manageable projects. Watercolor painting, knitting, and scrapbooking are all popular options. You can also join in and make it a fun, creative activity to do together. The time spent together can be just as enjoyable as the creative process itself.
Virtual Travel Tours
Travel may not always be an option. Sometimes, factors come into play that make it difficult to explore the world. However, technology has opened doors all over—all from the comfort of your loved one’s home.
Virtual tours are becoming more popular every day. There are plenty of ways your loved one can explore interesting spaces with nothing more than a laptop or cell phone. They can tour:
- Famous museums like the Louvre or the Smithsonian
- Historic landmarks such as the Great Wall of China or Machu Picchu
- National parks, including virtual hikes through Yosemite or the Grand Canyon
- Underwater worlds with virtual scuba dives in tropical coral reefs
- Space exploration through guided tours of NASA’s facilities
These tours offer a sense of adventure, and they’re easy to start. Your loved one can take time to check some of humanity’s most interesting spots, and they don’t even need to travel.
Music & Singing
Music brings people together. It has the power to delight the senses and stimulate the mind while bringing plenty of social opportunities. Music offers more than entertainment—it’s closely linked with emotional and cognitive benefits.
Whether listening or playing, music brings joy to every day. Your loved one can try:
- Learning to play a musical instrument, such as the piano or guitar
- Joining a local choir or singing group
- Exploring new genres of music to expand their playlists
- Attending concerts or virtual music events for live performances
- Experimenting with songwriting or composing their own music
If they’ve never played an instrument before, don’t worry—there are thousands of online tutorials available to help them in this journey. With your support, your loved one can enjoy making beautiful sounds, and it’s a rewarding option that makes life more pleasant.
Gardening Indoors
Caring for plants can bring peace and a memorable sense of accomplishment. Indoor gardening is especially helpful for older adults with limited mobility—it gives a way to connect with nature without worrying about mobility.
Encourage them to start with low-maintenance plants like succulents or herbs. These are resilient and don’t take up much space. They also bring a nice touch of green to your loved one’s home, which can be a beautiful addition to their surroundings.
Puzzle & Board Games
Puzzles and games are an excellent choice. They offer lighthearted entertainment and keep the mind sharp. Meanwhile, they can be done solo or with others, so they bring new social opportunities to your loved one’s day!
These activities are extremely helpful for the mind. They encourage:
- Problem-solving and strategic thinking skills
- Improved memory and cognitive abilities
- Relaxation and stress relief
Help them start with basic puzzles and games. Simple options are ideal—they’re still rewarding, and they’re not overwhelming. If your loved one enjoys technology, you can even set up a senior-friendly tablet or phone with digital puzzles and games to make them more accessible.
An Active Lifestyle—It’s Within Reach
Staying active doesn’t have to mean tons of physical movement. There are plenty of activities designed for older adults with limited mobility. Activities like chair yoga, creating art, or enjoying virtual tours can make an ordinary day more fulfilling—they bring joy and purpose to your loved one’s life.
Here at Somerby Mount Pleasant, we believe in supporting residents in everything they do. No matter your loved one’s interests, we’re ready to help them keep living the life they love—regardless of mobility challenges. Schedule a visit with us today to see for yourself!
