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| Photo from freepik |
Regardless of a seniors' living arrangements, there are many benefits of incorporating crafting into their daily routine, along with board and card games, Bingo social, and puzzles.
The Non-Discriminatory Aspect of Crafting As A Benefit for Seniors
A lot of people, seniors included, may be good with other hobbies. But when faced with activities that require a good amount of creativity and certain level of skills, they might bemoan that "I can't do it!"
The truth? Crafting is non-discriminatory in a sense that almost everyone can pick up something regardless of their skill level -- newbie, intermediate, advanced, or expert.
Benefits of Crafting to Seniors' Mental Health
Certain textile crafts entail repetitive movements, and this can be beneficial to seniors' mental health.
Photo from freepik
The repetitive motions performed can help ease stress and take away seniors' concerns, albeit temporarily.
Psychosocial and Therapeutic Benefits of Crafting to Seniors
There are seniors who may have dealt with grief due to a divorce or the death of a spouse. They may also be experiencing other life-altering realities.
Through crafting, seniors can freely engage in the creative process and express themselves.
Keeping themselves preoccupied even for just an hour or so a day can, over time, produce a healing effect.
And according to PubMed Central, a total of 19 studies supported by research showed crafts-based intervention, without consumer or community involvement, has resulted "in short-term improvement among seniors dealing with anxiety, stress, and depression."
How Crafting Benefits Seniors' Physical Health
Fine motor skills are defined as the ability to make small, precise movements using the hands, fingers, and wrists.
This makes fine motor skills crucial to activities like writing, buttoning, using tools, opening and closing containers, and typing on a keyboard.
According to the website PubMed Central, "Older age is related to worsening of fine motor skills."
By attempting a number of tasks through crafts, such as folding, tearing, or cutting paper in a variety of thickness, bending and whipping chenilles into shapes, macrame, crochet, or knitting, seniors can help delay worsening fine motor skills.
Crafting as A Way to Boost Seniors' Self-Esteem
Being able to complete a DIY project gives a tremendous boost to one's self-esteem. This helps soften the blows of aging and its side effects.
Seniors may find themselves ridden with insecurities due to wrinkles, weight gain, poor eyesight and hearing.
Also, if they were gainfully occupied or employed during their younger years and anchored much of their identity to their careers, seniors may find themselves confused and at a loss during retirement.
Crafting provides safe and healthy ways for seniors to explore and experiment, and even apply their tastes and preferences now that they're retired.
Frugal Benefits of Crafting for Seniors
Seniors might be concerned that craft materials can be an added expense. But the truth is, there are craft materials that can be obtained at no cost at all.
Want to obtain new craft supplies in exchange for some of your unused ones? Read --
How to Host a Craft Supplies Swap
Cardboard boxes and copies of old newspapers, magazines, comic books, telephone directories, and catalogues can be recycled for paper crafts.
Social Benefits of Crafting for Seniors
Sometimes, individuals during their advanced years are rarely given opportunities to socialize.
Crafting doesn't only benefit seniors following a structured schedule in a nursing home.
A group of seniors can get together anytime to work on a project like quilting, whittling, decoupage, paper tole, scrapbooking, cardmaking, etc.
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