If you have somehow
found this article without reading Part 1, you may want to go back and read
through the introduction. You’ll find helpful
information there to spur your own creative thoughts on this subject and give
you the “why” behind the projects that I’ve highlighted here. I hope you find at least a couple of useful
activities in this 2 part list as you seek to encourage those you care for and
give them new goals to reach and life to live!
10. Another option is to consider clay as a very forgiving
activity. Having a sculptor come to give
lessons is not out of the question, or perhaps consider a video tutorial. Clay can be squished and re-made countless
times as a person seeks the form they would like. If they are so inclined, they could practice
on malleable clay & then purchase another type of clay for baking into a
final project that they might find useful.
There are even colorful clay-like materials that can be baked and made
into erasers!
11. Food sculpture is
a great way of increasing fruit and vegetable intake as well as engaging the
whole person. Learning how to carve radishes and cucumbers and eating their
mistakes will be enjoyable and funny.
Their final product could be presented at a group meal for all to enjoy.
12. Lighting or
clockwork might be of interest to some senior citizens who are even mildly
mechanically inclined. This could also
serve a practical purpose if they need a bit of extra light in a corner of
their room to make a cozy reading or listening area. Materials to make lamps are incredibly
variable, but all lamps have very basic “guts” inside. Clockworks, likewise have very basic parts
and their faces can be as varied as the people making them!
13. A very practical class on making your own hygiene products might be interesting to certain individuals. Making toothpaste pellets or tooth powder, lotions that are effective for aging skin, nourishing, non-drying deodorants with beneficial essential oils, salves, & etc. encourages the use of all of the senses, except perhaps taste!
14. Learning slight of
hand or card tricks to share with young visitors might encourage someone to
reach out in a new way to forge a friendship.
It also engages the mind as you try to master some of these things while
watching yourself in the mirror!
15. Balloon twisting,
likewise has great potential for helping them connect with a young generation
and perhaps even teach them how to twist balloons. It is incredibly easy on arthritic hands and
great fun for all involved.
16. Leather work of
heavier or thinner leather employs many faculties, as well as being a useful
and creative outlet. Consider belts,
wallets, camera/phone pouches or even smaller projects like photo frames and
bracelets.
17. Book binding is
incredibly fun for all ages. Learning
the basics of book stitching will then enable people to bind together several
things that are meaningful to them, whether they be postcards from their
travels, notes taken over a course of years but placed into different notebooks
that they want to bind together as one, or even to make their own bound book of
scratch paper or recipes.
18. Finally, soft
metal work or punching. Many people
enjoy this old time skill. Punching a
bit of tin or other thin sheet metal to let light through a lantern or let air
into a cabinet may still have useful applications, though it will mostly be for
decorative use these days. Create a candle
sconce that has punched tin, or perhaps even a framed piece. Perhaps create
several panels for a box or cabinet or as the backing on a bookshelf. The cabinetwork itself may be beyond the
scope of ability for the person in your care, but the tin punching may not be.
Be sure as you mull
over all of these ideas to keep the person/persons you are working with in
mind. If they aren’t able to do the full
project, can they do parts of it? Do
they have certain aversions or disabilities that will make it impossible to
accomplish the task with joy? The intent
is not to frustrate, but to give them new things to think about, new ideas to
try & a feeling of pride in their newfound skill and craftsmanship. After all, how many times when we are young
do we say, “I’d love to do that when I have more time…”? It is a difficulty in life that when we have
all kinds of strength and ability we have very little time. When we have more time, our strengths and
abilities decrease. I’m sure that this
behooves us to develop patience with ourselves, but it can be frustrating. If someone you are working with is getting
frustrated by their lack of strength or dexterity, gently encourage them that
the project need not be finished quickly, but well & that they can do it in
increments that are fitting for their current ability. In all things, enjoy yourselves!