Hobbies for blind old people?

Question

just wondered if anyone knew of suitable hobbies for partially sighted oap's, who struggle getting out and about - my boss was wondering for her mother-in-law

Answer 1

Talking books you can get them free from libraries and they will deliver for housebound.

There will be charitable groups in your area who will have volunteers who will come and sit and chat with her or maybe the local community have groups she could attend some provide free transport to and from. The library would have info on all of the above.

Also if she can knit, you can still do that and my mum knits baby clothes for 3rd world babies (but don't know contact sorry.)

Answer 2

Your boss should also get in touch with, or put her MIL in touch with some of the agencies, associations, and online support groups for the blind or partially sighted.  They'll have ideas for her, and she may well want to take advantage of some of the groups/associations too.

You can find links for some of them on this page at my site:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/disabiliti...

(...click on the EYESIGHT category

... the first parts under that will have to do with various groups and ideas for activities;  the later parts will have to do more with doing "polymer clay", or other clays, when blind or with low-vision)

P.S.  You don't say how old you consider "old" to be... a 60-year old "old person" is a lot different from an 80 or 90-year old "old person" in what they can or might want to do.

HTH, and good luck!

Diane B.

Answer 3

Guess the smell.

Answer 4

Try voice recognition software. She may be able to chat on line with it.

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Answer 5

the ladies and gents in town do jigsaw puzzles all day every day. they have the rest of us searching for more challenges for them.

Some of them knit, crochet, embroidery, quilt.

Some of the new quilting ideas is to use heavier thread, larger needles, and do a heavier quilting line than they used to do. Like the stitches are about half an inch.

This works really well on hot mats and mitts.

My grandmother worked on her tatting for years after she couldn't see to sign checks and things. Arthritis was really bad, but now there are some larger tatting shuttles, handles for crochet hooks, and other things that make life easier for these people.

Counted cross stitch embroidery on heavier fabrics, like about 5 stitches to the inch would be within her ability. My husband's cousin used a magnifying lamp and worked the most beautiful counted cross stitch pictures all the way to his death at age 98!! Said it kept his mind active, his hands bending and moving, and didn't cost too much as it was so slow.

Answer 6

Contact Help the Aged.  They sometimes have day centres that older people can choose to visit, have lunch with other older people and a chat or play games.  If they don't have a centre nearby they will certainly be able to give suggestions for interests and hobbies.  

Otherwise, are there any children nearby that would like to 'adopt a granny'?  Our elderly neighbour 'adopted' the two little girls across the road.  Gave mum a break, and gave lots of love and pleasure to an old, nearly blind lady that loved to hear their incessant chatter.

Local churches may also have activities.  Our nearest one will collect the elderly in a minibus and take them home at the end of the afternoon.  They have a 'come and meet each other' group, armchair/wheelchair fitness, handicrafts and other activities.  

RNIB also offer audio cassettes etc of the weekly news etc.  Might be worth contacting them to see what they have available.  The local library will probably stock audio books too.

Answer 7

Active hobbies.. you willfind that basket weaving is within their capabilities .

Walking a dog ,swimming  are two outdoor hobbies

Passive... Listening to music or talking books ..

I amsure thatyou will thik of others if you placeyourself mentally in their shoes .