If you are a senior who has vision challenges, or if you care for someone who does, finding suitable activities can be a challenge. Many activities for seniors — such as card games, movie outings or art museum visits — are based around seeing. Not only that, but visually impaired seniors may require special accommodations.
There’s good news, though. There are actually many activities a visually impaired senior can participate in. Moreover, seeking out these activities has major benefits. “It is important for visually impaired seniors to seek out engaging activities, as this keeps them mentally active as well as improves their mood and overall well-being,” says Holly Schiff, a clinical psychologist at South County Psychology.
Here, we’ll take a close look at what activities might be right for visually impaired seniors, including why they’re important, how to choose the best activity for each person and a detailed list of fun and engaging activities to consider.
The benefits of staying active for visually impaired seniors
Visual impairment refers to eyesight that can’t be corrected to normal levels, even with glasses, contact lenses, medication or surgery. Visual impairment can range from poor vision to complete blindness. While anyone can experience visual impairment, it’s most common in the elderly population, affecting nearly a third of seniors over the age of 71.
Seniors with visual impairment face numerous challenges, including depression and increased risks of falling. It can also limit participation in certain social activities, which can lead to increased isolation. Making an effort to seek out activities and hobbies for visually impaired seniors can address some of these challenges, says Dr. Sarah Bonza, a physician specializing in family and lifestyle medicine at Bonza Health.
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“Participating in activities is very important for visually impaired seniors, as it can help to reduce the isolation and depression that come with the loss of vision,” she explains. “Actions excite the mind and senses and help individuals to create a semblance of normalcy in their lives, especially in their golden years.”
Seeking out engaging activities also helps seniors with their overall health and well-being, according to Courtney McFarlin, a physician assistant (PA) and geriatrics expert at OSF HealthCare in Bethalto, Illinois. McFarlin says staying active during your later years can help with the following:
- Managing pain from conditions like arthritis.
- Building and maintaining muscle flexibility.
- Improving sleep.
- Helping with overall cellular repair within the body.
- Reducing the risk of diabetes, hypertension and other medical conditions.
- Improving overall physical health.
- Offering socialization, which can impact depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions.
Engaging activities for visually impaired seniors
There are many activities visually impaired seniors can engage in. Here are some recommendations from the experts we connected with.
Sensory activities for visually impaired seniors
1. Music
“Listening to music can be therapeutic and relaxing,” says Schiff. Put on some hits that the senior in your life remembers from their youth if you want to bring an instant smile to their face. While listening to music, your loved one may even get up and start dancing or moving. This isn’t just good for physical health, Schiff says, but any kind of movement is a mood booster.
2. Audiobooks
Many published books are also available as audiobooks, and local libraries will often lend out audiobooks for free. “Listening to audiobooks can be enjoyable and work the imaginative and creative side of a senior’s brain as they get wrapped up in a story,” says Schiff. “It can improve their mood and reduce stress and anxiety.”
3. Arts and crafts
You don’t have to have sharp vision to engage in art making. Visually impaired seniors may enjoy knitting or crochet, says McFarlin. Sculpting with clay is also a great choice for a visually impaired senior. These activities engage the body, mind and spark your creative senses.
Social and interactive activities for visually impaired seniors
4. Pet therapy
Pets aren’t just entertaining and fun to be around, but they can have significant impacts on mental health and well-being, according to Schiff. Plus, pets can help combat feelings of loneliness. “Animal interactions are always sure to leave a senior feeling happy and soothed,” Schiff says. Interacting with a pet also “serves as a pleasant distraction from any stressful thoughts they may be having.”
5. Gardening
Gardening is a great activity for visually impaired seniors to engage in, McFarlin suggests. It gets you out in nature, it’s good exercise and it’s a rewarding experience. Gardening can also be a social experience, if you garden with a friend or aide. Finally, if you end up growing edible plants, gardening can culminate in a yummy feast!
6. Walking and light exercise
Walks are free, and most visually impaired seniors can enjoy walks with the right assistance. Often this means walking with others, which is a great way to stay both physically active and socially engaged. “Fresh air and sunshine is always good for one’s mental health,” Schiff says. It can also be a profound sensory experience, as you take in the sounds and smells of the nature around you.
“Choose something that the person can do safely and something that the person enjoys and desires to engage in.”
—Courtney McFarlin, physician assistant and geriatrics expert
Cognitive activities for visually impaired seniors
7. Trivia and auditory games
While certain types of games may be more challenging for a visually impaired senior, games that rely on listening and speaking are usually an instant win. Trivia is a great choice, because it keeps the brain active. “Cognitive fitness is just as important as physical fitness,” Schiff notes. Telling jokes or recounting old stories are also great ways to engage with a senior in a fun and enjoyable way, McFarlin offers.
8. Adaptive technology for reading and more
Consider investing in some adaptive technology that can help you participate more fully and get the most out of your activity or hobby. For example, there are computer tablets that can assist with reading, and large print reading products are helpful and easily accessible, McFarlin says. There are also devices that can help organize the day, like wrist watches and clocks that audibly speak the date and time, McFarlin says.
9. Accessible apps for games, music and online content
Accessible apps for phones can be wonderful assets for visually impaired seniors. Here are some to consider according to the experts we spoke to:
- AccessNote, which can help visually impaired people take notes.
- Airs-La, which provides free audio streaming of newspapers, magazines and podcasts.
- Awareness! The Headphone App, which allows you to listen to music while still being able to hear world around you.
- Claro MagX, an app that works as a high-definition magnifier.
- TapTapSee, an app that helps identify objects visually impaired people may encounter in their daily lives.
Choosing the right hobbies for visually impaired seniors
First and foremost, seniors should pick an activity that they actually want to do. “Choose something that the person can do safely and something that the person enjoys and desires to engage in,” McFarlin advises.
There are a few other factors to consider when picking an activity, Bonza says. To pick the right activities as a visually impaired senior:
- Take into account individual preferences.
- Consider the level of visual impairment.
- Make sure to account for any other physical constraints.
Above all, let individual interests be the guide. As a senior, tap into your personality. If you’re caring for a senior, remember they are a unique individual. Listen to their opinions, consider their tastes and preferences and be flexible as you try activities out.
Community resources and support for visually impaired seniors
You don’t have to come up with activities on your own, nor do you have to do them without company. There are many resources available, both to help seniors find enjoyable activities to engage in, and also to support day-to-day needs.
If you are for local activities to engage in, McFarlin recommends contacting:
- Local activity specialists in the community.
- Local senior community centers, which may have events open to the public.
- The public library.
- Local church support groups and services.
- Senior Services of America.
The bottom line
There are many activities that are suitable for visually impaired seniors. And the best part is that participating in any activity can help keep the mind sharp, the body healthy and provide a mental health boost.
Finding activities and hobbies for visually impaired seniors may feel overwhelming at first. If you aren’t sure where to start, the best advice is to just pick one activity, try it and go from there. If it’s not the right fit, try something else. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing,” McFarlin concludes. Eventually, you will land on the right activity for yourself or a senior in your care, and the benefits, joy and relaxation will follow.
