If your senior loved one is looking for a new hobby or a way to occupy idle time, knitting may be the answer. Crafts such as knitting can enhance a senior’s physical, emotional, and cognitive health. Knitting is even suitable for those with mobility issues or physical limitations caused by illnesses. Here are a few reasons you should encourage your loved one to try knitting.
1. Promotes Cognitive Health
As with other organs, the brain functions best when exercised. The act of knitting stimulates and exercises the brain, including portions that control visual processing, language interpretation, and memory storage. This stimulation creates new neural pathways that keep the mind sharp. Seniors who knit reduce their chances of developing mild cognitive decline by 30 to 50 percent.
2. Boosts Mood
The rhythmic movements involved in knitting calm the mind and body and lower the heart rate and blood pressure. Working on a knitting project also provides a point of focus that can alleviate anxiety and depression. Your loved one can even use his or her new skill to create gifts for family members or people in need.
3. Increases Socialization
The fact that there are relatively few stitches to remember means knitting can easily be done while talking and enjoying the company of others. Many avid knitters even join clubs or groups that meet on a regular basis to work on their projects together in a fun and positive environment.
Knitting with family members and friends is one of the many ways seniors can socialize. For families living in Highland Park, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
4. Alleviates Chronic Pain
Knitting can serve as a form of therapy for seniors with chronic pain. The activity provides mental stimulation that makes it difficult for the brain to register pain signals. Knitting also exercises and strengthens the hands, which can prevent or alleviate symptoms of arthritis and tendonitis.
Seniors with limited dexterity due to arthritis or other health conditions often need assistance with daily activities. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
5. Enhances Fine Motor Function
Knitting engages the cerebellum, which is the portion of the brain that controls the precision and timing of movements. This type of stimulation can help seniors with Parkinson’s or other neurological conditions maintain or even increase their fine motor skills. Knitting can also serve as a distraction from painful symptoms of these diseases.
6. Increases Confidence & Self-Esteem
Successfully completing a knitting project can provide a sense of accomplishment and pride. Most people can master knitting well enough to produce small projects relatively quickly, which can boost confidence and self-esteem. Since the activity is repetitive in nature, knitting can even be suitable for seniors with mild cognitive impairment or memory loss.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional at-home care. Highland Park, TX, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (214) 363-3400 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.