Jan emailed me ages ago [sorry for the belated reply] with a query about activities for the elderly with gnarled hands and/or dementia.
Having taught art and craft for many years I am now working with the elderly, some with dementia. There attention span is limited in many cases. I liked your article on 50 activities for children and was wondering if you had any ideas about simple activities these elderly residents with gnarled hands might enjoy please?
Here are 4 ideas that I think might be useful – readers if you have any more ideas please leave a comment for Jan.
1. Punchneedle – recently I featured June’s patterns and e-book on this craft and due to the simplicity of the tool needed I think this would be a great craft – here is a tutorial on how to do it.
2. Wet felting small projects I think would also be great – warm water would be lovely on the hands and fine movements are not needed - felted soap - felted balls are just two ideas.
3. Loom knitting – with its large tools and simple designs – nice repetitive motions without tiny finicky movements – here is a tutorial.
4. Weaving - t-shirt weaving or weaving with rags – would be an ideal creative outlet – there are some great basic basketry projects.
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Don’t forget braiding rag rugs! If necessary, someone else can sew it together.
My mum had my grandmother knitting sqaures for the ‘Wrap with love’ group – as with rag rugs someone will more then likely have to sew the squares together-http://www.artsandcraftsnsw.com.au/WrapPattern.