By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of Easter themed crafts that are family friendly and suitable for seniors or others with arthritis or hand dexterity and strength issues. While the tutorials avoid more strenuous hand activities such as sewing, manipulating heavy objects, or puncturing thick objects, arthritis crafting tools can be used to make certain steps easier for those with more severe hand issues.
The focus is on inexpensive and easy-to-make crafts that use basic materials that can be commonly found around the house or purchased at local craft, hobby, or grocery stores. Crafts range in a wide style from classy & elegant to cute and colorful with an emphasis on finished items suitable as normal house decor or as holiday related gifts Tutorials
0 Comments
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of spring themed activities, events, and festivities that will be taking place throughout Baltimore and the general Maryland region that are family and senior friendly. The spotlight is on easily accessible activities that become more readily available around this time of year such as those that have a particular focus on flowers, vegetation, seasonal produce, animals, and spring holidays or other outdoor events that take advantage of the mild seasonal weather.
While some locations remain available throughout the year and many events repeat annually, there are a fair few one time occurrences or areas that are only open for public touring during a very limited time. As always, for those seniors with more severe forms of limited mobility or health issues, prospective venue locations should be checked out in advance to be certain they will provide the needed level of accessibility. Spring Events
By Susan Ashby
When we’re young, we wind up with lists of books at our feet to read for school. As we age, though, reading often becomes less of a hobby and more of a chore. Combine that with hectic lifestyles and reading is pushed beyond the back burner. Sometimes it can be hard to pick reading back up as we age. For example, did you know only 69 percent of seniors read at least one book in 2015?
Unfortunately, with that drop in readership comes missed opportunities to reap all the benefits reading can offer. From its ability to improve sleep to its potential to help with depression, reading is vital to how we live our lives. Here is just a short list of all the things reading can do.
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of winter holiday season crafts that are suitable for seniors, kids, and those with arthritis or other hand strength & dexterity issues. The tutorials use inexpensive materials that are easy-to-find around the house or purchased from a local store with a suitable selection of art or hobby supplies.
The main skills required across the crafts include gluing, painting, cutting paper & fabric, and manipulating ribbons, string, swatches of fabric and other similar sized materials. The use of crafting tools explicitly made for those with hand issues (as discussed in our previous article) can further help those who may have more severe hand or finger dexterity issues. Craft Tutorials
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of tutorials for various types of sensory toys with explicit autumn themes. These crafts are easy to do for seniors, kids, and whole families and use a variety of common and inexpensive base materials including fresh fall materials such as leaves, twigs, acorns, autumn berries, nuts, and pinecones that can be gathered in outside excursions for further exercise.
In addition to acting as normal fall decor, sensory toys can be used as stress relief toys for adults, hand therapy for those with arthritis or other hand strength or dexterity issues, or sensory play which is especially good for kids, people confined to beds, or those in later stages of dementia & Alzheimer's. Craft Tutorials
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of Thanksgiving themed crafts that are suitable for seniors, whole families, or those with arthritis or other hand strength & dexterity issues. These crafts can pull double duty as seasonal decor around the house or for the Thanksgiving table.
Most crafts can be completed using easy-to-find materials from around the house, fresh seasonal items such as autumn gourds and fallen leaves, or standard craft supplies from local stores. Arthritis friendly crafting tools can be used by those seniors who may have more extreme hand issues. Craft Tutorials
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of five frighteningly fun Halloween themed crafts that are suitable for seniors and those with arthritis or other hand dexterity & strength issues. Some of the cuter crafts are also suitable for child crafters or for a whole family crafting event with none of the tutorials indulging in any of the more gruesome aspects of the holiday.
Besides the ample use of seasonal pumpkins, most of the tutorials use normal household supplies (such as jars, socks, paper, flowers) or basic crafting materials (such as felt, yarn, paint, various varieties of glue) as their bases. Special arthritis friendly crafting tools can be used for those senior loved ones who may have more trouble using normal scissors, brushes, and pens due to more extreme hand issues. Terrifying Tutorials
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of fall themed crafts that are suitable for seniors, kids, and those who may have arthritis or other hand strength & dexterity issues. The focus this time is on using base materials that can be gathered freshly outside during a fun activity or excursion. For those who may not have access to trees and other plants that would provide these materials, they can be inexpensively bought online or at local craft, hobby, art, or even grocery stores depending upon the exact item.
Other crafting supplies that will be needed include bases for wreathes (either pre-made ones or do-it-yourself ones such those made from pool noodles), glue, paint, scissors, felt or other decorative fabric. Some crafts may require more specialized materials such as plaster of paris, magnets, or tiles. A bit of preparation in advance may be required for those who chose to dry (or bake) their own materials and for those seniors who may have trouble handling knives for cutting fruit or using heavy irons. Crafts
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of summer themed crafts that are appropriate for seniors, kids, or those with arthritis or other hand or dexterity issues. The tutorials use inexpensive & easy-to-find base materials such as rocks, shells, fabric, paper, and recyclable or upcyclable items such as empty plastic bottles.
The skills required include mostly painting, gluing, and cutting. For those seniors who may have a bit more trouble manipulating standard crafting tools, here are a selection of arthritis friendly scissors, paintbrushes, and other artist supplies. Summer Craft Tutorials
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
The upcoming Labor Day holiday is a good time for people to celebrate the oncoming end of summer with family & friends even for those who may already be retired from the labor force.
Here we have a focus on crafts suitable for those with hand dexterity or strength issues that can act as a family friendly fun pass-time and which can later double as indoor or outdoor decor for Labor Day parties. Main skills necessary in the following tutorials include painting, gluing, and cutting cloth, paper, and foam. Assistance or preparation in advance may be required for those with more extreme hand issues who may have trouble cutting thicker materials. See our Crafting Tools for Seniors article for suitable craft supplies for those with arthritis or hand & finger flexibility issues. Craft Tutorials
|
AboutNews updates, tips, and guides on senior care, senior health, stress relief and a host of other caregiving related topics from the professionals at Ella Stewart Care. |