Hobbies for the elderly

For many elderly people, the days can seem long if there aren’t enough fulfilling activities to take part in. It’s never too late to pick up a new hobby or hone a new skill, so we’ve put together a list of ideas for carers to improve the quality of life of those you look after and help them find a new passion.

Cooking

Cooking can be a way of travelling the world without ever leaving the comfort of your own home. Experimenting with different cuisines can be a fun way for carers and their clients to bond, and cooking can be an incredibly social activity when you cook together. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy; just flick through some recipe books together and pick something that catches your fancy.

Writing

Everyone has a story to tell and being elderly means your clients probably have more of a story than most. One lovely way to engage someone in writing is by asking them to pen their autobiography or at least jot down some of their favourite memories. It’s surprising what people remember and putting their thoughts down on paper is a way to preserve those memories for future generations.

Puzzles

It’s been proven that puzzle-solving can help ward off dementia and other conditions, so having a puzzle-solving session a day is both fun and beneficial for your client’s health. There are all sorts of things to try, whether it’s the sudoku in the daily paper or introducing them to apps such as Candy Crush or Wordscapes. If they don’t already have the skills, many elderly people will embrace new technology if given the time and help they need to get to grips with a tablet or smartphone.

Restaurant clubs

Restaurant clubs are often run-in villages, towns and cities, with many set up to cater for older members of the community. They’re another fantastic way for your client to get out and meet new people, whilst enjoying some fine dining and maybe a glass or two of their favourite tipple. Carers are often invited to tag along, so keep an eye out for advertisements or get online to do some research, if it might be of interest.

Gardening

Fresh air is good for us and being surrounded by greenery has been shown to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. Pottering in the garden is a great way to pass the time and watch the fruits of your labours flourish. If you’re caring for someone with a disability or limited mobility, that doesn’t have to be a bar to engaging them in gardening activities and similar hobbies for the elderly. Even if they just dead-head a rose bush while you do the heavy lifting, there’s still a sense of achievement and enjoyment from working in the great outdoors.

Birdwatching

If you’re lucky enough to live near a nature reserve, that’s great. Birdwatching, however, can be done from the comfort of the living room chair, if someone is not mobile enough to get out into the countryside. Whether they live in a town or have a view over farm fields, there’s always birdlife to be seen. You could think about getting them a handy book identifying different species. Even if they don’t spot anything particularly rare, there’s something very satisfying in watching birds either in the great outdoors or just through a window.

Dancing

Dance has to be one of the most fun-filled ways to pass an hour or two, and a great way for people to keep active in old age. You could look for local dance classes or keep an eye out for afternoon tea dances in the local area. Many are set up specifically for the elderly, and they’re a great chance for your client to socialise with a wide range of people. Particularly if someone lives on their own, dance and physical touch are such powerful things when it comes to emotional wellbeing.

Candle making

One of the more unusual activities for the elderly, candle making is a very simple and enjoyable hobby. There are all sorts of different essential oils and containers to experiment with, and you get a finished product you can use and enjoy at home.

Finding a new hobby later in life is such a wonderful thing and keeps people healthier in their minds and their bodies. It doesn’t have to be anything particularly strenuous or challenging but finding something you can do together greatly improves the quality of life for those in old age.