Activities that will improve seniors' dexterity


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Many seniors experience reduced dexterity and motor skills in their hands due to many different health concerns, including Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and arthritis. If you provide at-home senior care for clients who sometimes have trouble using their hands or fingers, they may find these exercises and activities helpful:

Learning an instrument
Playing many instruments, including the piano, flute or clarinet, involves very precise hand and finger movements. Learning one of these instruments or simply playing one for a few minutes a day can help seniors focus on the small motions.

Playing with clay
Clay is a great tool for improving both dexterity and finger strength, since it provides some resistance to form it into different shapes. Have your clients start with a ball of clay and mold it into different smaller structures like balls or strings using their hands and fingers. 

Doing hand stretches
Flexing and stretching the hands and fingers can increase the blood flow, making the fingers less stiff and easier to use. If your clients are having dexterity problems, try having them perform a few hand and finger stretches, and see if it helps.

Sewing
Sewing by hand involves very precise movements along with grasping and maneuvering very small items. This is a great exercise for helping seniors practice their dexterity, though some seniors may find it too difficult.