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Crafting A Better Life For Seniors
Seniors with an abundance of time can feel restless and bored without the proper mental stimulation. Arts and crafts are relatively easy and fun activities for seniors to perform and feel an enormous sense of satisfaction. Creating art from scratch can be fulfilling and is open to artists of all ages and skill levels.
Considerations for crafting with seniors
Seniors who don’t have any hobbies or skills in arts and crafts can feel hopeless trying to learn or practice a new hobby. Craft projects with seniors require patience to work through dexterity and eyesight issues. Avoiding sharp or hot objects can also ensure a safe and engaging crafting experience. Learning a new craft takes time, but luckily, seniors can choose from many options.
Sewing, knitting, and crocheting
Needlecrafts are a fun and safe way to pass the time and can be done from the comfort of a chair or sofa. Seniors can knit scarves, mittens, or hats for family members to endure the winter months.
Painting, drawing, and coloring
Seniors can enjoy using a variety of painting mediums, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, chalk pastel, or mixed media. Painting can be a pleasant distraction and meditative practice that allows the mind to express creativity and imagination. Seniors can paint rocks, cones, paper, canvas, or coloring books.
Photography
Capturing the sunlight during the golden evening hour or the shot of a bird zipping right by can be a fulfilling experience. Seniors can use everything from a smartphone to a digital camera to take photos and upload the pictures on the computer or develop the images for cheap. Photos can create scrapbooks, magnets, coasters, collages, and more.
Jewelry-making
Making jewelry can be a relaxing and engaging activity for seniors who love to flex the creative muscle. Using beads with large holes and bright colors can be easy for seniors to use and see. Clay beads can be easy to mold for seniors with limited dexterity. Seniors can make charms and add interesting patterns and textures with experience.
Finding the right arts and crafts for a better future
Seniors have no limit to the number of arts and crafts performed. One day could be painting day, while the next could be a day dedicated to just photography. Finding the right craft and hobby can take time. Committing to consistently engaging the body and the mind through an art project is a surefire way to improve the overall quality of life.
