Losing one’s vision makes even simple, necessary activities more difficult. That doesn’t mean, though, that seniors with poor vision can’t still find ways to have fun.
Here are 10 suggestions for how you can keep your loved ones active and engaged, even if they can’t see as well as they used to.
Word and trivia games can be a great way to pass the time and keep the mind engaged, even if it’s difficult to see.
Classic games like Trivial Pursuit work perfectly here — you can play with the board (if you’re there to guide your loved one’s pieces) or just by reading the cards.
If you’re loved one is good with his or her hands, they can still enjoy activities like knitting and crocheting if they are already well-versed in these activities. Just get them started with the basic hand placement, and guide them during key transitions.
Some woodworking can be dangerous, but seniors can still construct basic structures with wood and glue, or, if they’re more experienced, with simple, controlled whittling activities.
If your loved one enjoys exercise, she or he can still enjoy exercising on a stationary bike or other simple home exercise equipment. This way, they don’t need to worry about watching out for things like traffic and cracks in the sidewalk.
Seniors who have trouble seeing can still enjoy cooking and baking, especially if you’re there to help them read the recipes.
It’s helpful if you can arrange the ingredients beforehand and manage some of the initial preparation.
For people who enjoy reading, audio books can be a great option. Seniors can enjoy the latest fiction, non-fiction, or even old favorites.
These days it’s also relatively easy to find old serial radio dramas from the ’40s and ’50s. Listening to these together with your loved ones can be a great way to connect with their past.
Seniors don’t have to give up on making art just because it’s gotten a bit harder to see. For seniors with poor vision, though, it may be better to focus on something in a large format.
Collages, in particular, can be a great way to make art by cutting out large pictures from magazines or catalogues.
Many games — particularly classic ones like Parcheesi, Checkers and Chess — come in large-scale or large-print versions that make them easy to play.
There are also tactile versions, which are printed with Braille or some other easily recognizable pattern, which can be played just with touch.
Seniors often still enjoy expressing their opinion about political subjects or other areas of controversy.
Setting up a structured debate, then, can be a great way to help them engage their minds, and give them an opportunity to speak out on a particular issue.
Many seniors may also enjoy playing ‘Devil’s Advocate’ and arguing for the side they disagree with.
Many universities or other local community centers will regularly host open lectures that anyone can attend.
Seniors with low vision may enjoy the opportunity to hear experts speak, and it can be a great chance to learn and develop their thinking or opinions.
Listening to music, of course, is a great activity that anyone can enjoy — and, as it in no way requires vision to enjoy, it can be particularly suited to seniors with poor vision.
Ask your loved one to play some of his or her old favorites, or see if they’re interested in hearing some of yours.
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