Hobbies for elderly to do safely at home

It’s extremely important that people stay safely at home during the current Coronavirus pandemic, especially the elderly.

We know that it has been difficult for many during the winter months. They haven’t been able to get out and about as much as they’re used to and now, we’re all being asked to stay indoors for longer.

The weather has really perked up and spring seems to have sprung, making it especially difficult to be inside at the moment.

It’s important that those staying at home are not feeling lonely, isolated or inactive. It’s a daunting thought spending all those hours alone, so we’ve put together some ideas for activities the elderly can do safely at home and help keep their mind active.

Knitting/crochet

Knitting and crochet are the perfect hobbies for people to learn from scratch or pick up again if they learnt them when they were younger. The same goes for embroidery, cross stitch and sewing.

These activities allow a person to learn a new pattern and repeat it over and over. They’re also great for soothing anxiety. You can also use your finished creations as gifts for loved ones as we’re unable to get to the shops at the moment.

Jigsaws/games/word puzzles

Lots of elderly folk often have a good stash of jigsaws handy to cure boredom. The more pieces a puzzle has the better and longer it will take up of the day.

Research has shown that mentally challenging activities such as doing a jigsaw puzzle stimulates thinking and memory, which increases feelings of well-being, helps improve communication and interaction.

Other puzzles such as wordsearches and Suduko can also help keep the mind ticking over. For anyone at home with a partner or family member, board games are another great way to pass the time. Strategic games such as chess can also exercise the mind. Find out about the benefits of playing chess for the brain here.

Reading

Now is the perfect time to pick up a new book. Reading can improve memory, reduce stress, improve sleep, and delay cognitive decline.

If you want to maximise your social distancing and reduce the need for deliveries, you can use an e-reader and purchase as many books as you like virtually or try audiobooks and immerse yourself properly in the story.

Drawing/colouring/painting

If you’ve got a talent for drawing or painting, now is the time to pick it up again. Alternatively, if you want something creative that doesn’t take too much brain power, try an adult colouring book.

Some experts have likened colouring to meditation as it allows you to ‘switch off’. It is also great for hand-eye coordination, dexterity and provides an outlet for self-expression.

Creative activities can help people decrease negative emotions and increase positive ones, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve medical outcomes.

Games, jigsaws, books and materials for crafting can still be purchased online for those with the Internet.

Please remember, personal visits are not recommended. You should not let someone enter your home and no physical contact should be made. Always keep two metres apart, even when someone is delivering shopping or medication to you.

For those that wish to keep their body active with exercise, read our blog here on routines and workouts you can try at home.