How Seniors can Maintain Manual Dexterity?

Maintenance of hand dexterity is crucial for seniors. It empowers them with independence to do routine activities for senior living. We can’t stop the process of ageing, but we can make efforts to make life easier and more comfortable after retirement. Few exercises can help in maintaining dexterity. 

What is Manual Dexterity?

It is an ability that helps our fingers and hands to make coordinated movements. Activities like knitting, writing, cooking and picking up small things involve the usage of fingers and hands, so it all depends on manual dexterity. 

Causes Responsible for Manual Dexterity

Some health conditions cause weakness and pain in the hands. Below are some common conditions affecting hand health.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

This syndrome results from compression of nerves that runs from the neck to the thumb and ring finger. Symptoms include pain, numbness and tingling in the hands. Fingers get swollen and stiff, causing the loss of thumb strength and agility.

Osteoarthritis

Patients with Osteoarthritis experience weakness and pain in their hands. At the beginning of the day, hand and finger joints get stiff because protective joint cartilage wears away.

Osteoporosis

The bones become fragile when the new bone’s creation does not keep pace with the loss of the old one. This disease is a significant concern because a fracture in the wrist can occur just by falling or even minor stress.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

The inflammatory disease affects the lining of joints and tendons. It causes pain and swelling in the fingers.

Senior activities to Improve Manual Dexterity

Here are a few activities for senior living suggested by health care professionals

1)Practice different types of handwriting

Seniors seeking to improve their finger’s flexibility can start writing without using their thumbs. It will help if they use a non-dominant hand to remain equally active as the dominant hand and not lose its flexibility faster than the dominant hand. It is challenging as well as entertaining for them. Doing this once or twice a day is recommended to get the best results.

2)Finger Exercise with Stress Balls

A stress ball must be stiff and made with smooth material. It is an excellent source for seniors to build strength in their fingers. You must hold the stress ball and clench and unclench it in alternate hands. This exercise does not disturb your routine as it is so simple that it can be performed simultaneously with other activities.

3)Playing various musical instruments

Music is mentally engaging and soothing and the best way to promote the usage of motor skills of seniors. It will be challenging for a senior to read, learn and play music at their golden age, but many beginner-level songs are manageable and fun for them to play. They can learn any musical instrument like keyboard, piano or guitar. While playing music, all the muscles of fingers and hands are active, helping the fingers to be strong and active. Practising for even 10 minutes can make your hand health better.

4)Do knitting and Sewing 

Knitting and Sewing provide a sense of satisfaction. These senior activities require concentration and precise movements, perfectly designed for working various hand muscles. It does not require much investment either. You can begin by sewing buttons on the shirt or knitting a handkerchief. Some excellent alternatives to knitting, such as crochet, crewel and needlepoint, provide the same benefits and practice the same skills.

5)Take up Origami

Origami is a fun and engaging craft activity. It is a Japanese paper folding method. You only need some colourful paper and some origami designs to get started. You can learn origami simply through some online tutorials. You can make various paper things like birds, butterflies with wings, frogs and flowers with the help of origami.  

6)Do Finger Lifting and thumb flex

Strengthening exercise is crucial for seniors facing difficulty with dexterity in specific fingers. You need to make a fist, squeeze inwards tightly, hold for three to five seconds, and slowly release. Repeat 5 times on each hand in a day. Thumbs are essential to manual dexterity because they allow one to grip items firmly. Thumb flexors help to maintain the strength and mobility of the thumb. Keep your thumb separate and group your fingers. Try to touch your pinkie finger with the thumb and then return to the original position. Repeat ten times on each hand.

7) ‘O’ Exercise

It is one of the most straightforward exercises. Make an O figure with your thumb and index finger, ensuring that the other fingers are straight. Hold for 5 seconds. Keep making O with the thumb and other remaining fingers. Do it as fast as you can. You can see better results by doing it with both hands simultaneously.

Conclusion

Retirement age is our golden age, and it is vital to keep the mind and body active during these years. It will help the seniors to be self-sufficient. Victorian gardens provide the best personal care for seniors with health care professionals. They provide a wide range of activities for senior living through their fitness centre.

Ageing is difficult, but Victorian Gardens is here to help you enjoy a high-quality life without stress. Visit our site for more details.

Source URL: https://www.victorian-gardens.com/nursing-services