What are the Benefits of Knitting Daily for Seniors?

by Carla
(Tampa, FL)

Knitting Daily for Seniors

Working with the elderly as I do, I often see many residents and patients dealing with the frustration of arthritic conditions, lack of dexterity, poor hand-eye coordination, and reduced range of motion.

I found that the seniors who engaged in hand-focused craft activities such as knitting and crocheting have maintained their dexterity, mobility, as well as hand-eye coordination to a greater degree than those who don't.

Knitting daily for seniors who may find their joints become stiffer, their grip weaker, or that are losing their dexterity may very well find that knitting can enhance not only wrist strength, joint range of motion, but also dexterity and strength in the fingers.

For this reason, I purchased large style knitting needles and encouraged my current crafters to work on some type of knitted project on a daily basis. For my non-crafters, I encouraged them to a least manipulate the knitting needles, grasping with both hands, as well as moving them around, mimicking the movements of knitting, to increase their gripping capabilities, strength, and range of motion.

The process of knitting is not only enjoyable for many seniors, but so too is the creation of something, whether it's a pot holder, a scarf, or a simple swatch of whatever.

However, the physical benefits of knitting on a daily basis can also provide numerous benefits in maintaining valuable range of motion, flexibility, dexterity and strength in the fingers and wrist.

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Feb 11, 2015
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Benefits of Knitting Daily for Seniors - Helping Gran have More Strength
by: Cindy

My elderly grandmother doesn't know how to knit, but I like the idea of giving her a large pair of knitting needles and mimicking the movements.

Combined with other finger and wrist range of motion exercises provided by her therapist, it may offer her more strength and flexibility.

Feb 11, 2015
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Knitting Daily for Seniors - Also Helps Me (Just Now a Senior)
by: Peggy

As a fellow knitter who was recently diagnosed with arthritis, I can attest to the fact that knitting does help to relieve the stiffness and the achy feeling of painful joints.

My doctor told me that maintaining flexibility, motion, and strength is the best way for me to fight the arthritis.

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