Studies show that making things with your hands can be extremely good for both your physical and mental health. Seniors who are bored or need a sense of purpose can benefit from the physical effects of making things with their hands. And seniors who are struggling with loneliness, depression, or anxiety can meet friends and hang out with people as they learn how to do things like paint, knit, draw, make pottery, make jewelry, sew, or do woodworking.
Seniors who are aging at home and have trouble getting out to meet new people can benefit from companion care at home. With companion care at home seniors can learn new crafts and have someone who can take them to a class, go shopping with them for supplies, or do crafts with them at home. Some of the many benefits seniors can get from making things are:
Lower Stress Levels
Lowering stress levels can lead to big improvements in a senior’s overall health. When seniors are better able to manage their stress they can lower their blood pressure and lower their risk of serious illnesses and medical events like strokes and heart attacks. Studies show that physically making things can significantly improve stress and promote a positive attitude.
Better Sleep
Seniors who regularly make things with their hands may notice that they start sleeping better at night. The reduction in stress and the physical activity of making things can reduce anxiety and help seniors sleep better at night. Seniors who exercise regularly and take up a craft like knitting or painting may find that they have a much easier time falling asleep and staying asleep at night.
Socialization
Loneliness is practically an epidemic among seniors. Seniors who make things can meet other people who share their passion at craft shows, classes, workshops, and online. With companion care at home and the fun of meeting people who share their passion for crafts seniors can build a rich and rewarding network of social connections and friends that can keep them connected to the outside world and socially engaged.
A Sense Of Accomplishment
Often when seniors retire they struggle to find a sense of self and self-worth. When seniors go from a job where their skills were needed and valued to retirement they may start to feel like they don’t have a purpose or that they are “over the hill”. But making items with their hands can give seniors back a sense of purpose and accomplishment that will make them want to get up every morning and learn new things.
Better Cognitive Skills
Working with the hands can actually be good for the brain. Making things can help seniors retain their cognitive skills longer. Problem solving, spatial relations, and other cognitive tasks are all engaged by the process of making things. Seniors who make crafts typically have better brain health and can hang onto their cognitive skills very well as they get older.
