Health and Wellbeing
Hobbies That Can Be Done From Your Sofa
31st March, 2025
Keeping your mind and body as active as possible is difficult when your mobility is limited and you struggle to move further than your sofa or mobility chair. This can lead some people aged 65 and over to sit for nine hours or more every day, a level of inactivity which can have a massive impact on overall physical and mental wellbeing.
Luckily, even if your movement is restricted, there are some activities you can still enjoy from your sofa or mobility chair. We’ve outlined some hobbies which will keep your mind stimulated and your body as healthy as possible.
Why are hobbies important?
Hobbies for elderly people are key to maintaining their mental and physical fitness. They give older people a sense of purpose and opportunities for socialisation and stimulation where they might otherwise be sitting alone with nothing to do. This is important to avoid feelings such as boredom and loneliness while maintaining their sense of self-esteem and enhancing their mood.
Older men and women who have hobbies are also less likely to suffer from losses in their cognitive function, particularly if they’re doing activities that are new or challenging. Even if someone can’t travel or get out and about, maintaining some movement within their capabilities is also helpful for protecting the basic mobility, heart and muscle health of those aged over 65.
At-home hobbies for seniors
It’s never too late for people to try new activities. In fact, there are plenty of hobbies seniors can enjoy without having to leave the comfort of their home.
Crafts or creative activities
Whether knitting, crocheting or sewing take their fancy, or they prefer a paintbrush, sketchbook and pencils, creative stimulation can benefit older adults’ mental and physical wellbeing. Crafting is relaxing and can help maintain people’s dexterity, coordination and motor skills. Adaptations may be needed for those with poor hand movements or eyesight, while the activities are hugely beneficial for people with conditions such as arthritis.
As well as giving their days a sense of purpose by offering a task to focus on for days or weeks at a time, having the finished product as a keepsake or gift can also give a sense of accomplishment. For example, a photo collage is a stunning way to put memories of family and friends together, while a knitted or crocheted piece makes a beautiful present.
Music
Just listening to music can lift people’s moods, evoke special memories or recreate a sense of nostalgia that boosts their wellbeing. Teaching older people how to pull a playlist of their favourite songs together will be an enjoyable trip up memory lane for them. Younger generations can then play the tunes themselves and ask their older relatives all about the stories behind them, creating a living keepsake.
If older people want to take this stimulation one step further, they could learn a musical instrument or join a choir. Whether they’re returning to the cello, flute, clarinet or horn, or have always wanted to try, getting music lessons or following online tutorials is a great mental stimulus while playing improves coordination and motor skills. Plus, if they learn a song they like or take their musical grades, it can offer a huge sense of achievement.
Learning languages
Even if going on holiday has become more difficult or impossible due to inaccessibility, learning to speak a new language can connect older people to new cultures and experiences. By its nature, communicating in French, Spanish or German opens up new socialisation opportunities. For example, they might decide to use a tutor who they have a lesson with each week or join a club to practice their speaking and listening skills.
Meeting new people, learning new words and putting together sentences in different languages are all great ways to maintain brain health. They’re also easier than ever to do from the sofa with access to learning apps, online tutoring and courses. For regular stimulation and a sense of achievement, older people could take a qualification in their new language, such as a GCSE or A-Level.
Tracing family history
Many historical archives and censuses are now available online. This makes it easier for older generations to use any knowledge they have to dive deeper into their family history. A great stimulation for the problem-solving and memory areas of the brain, finding out new facts about their relatives or origins can also be rewarding for people.
Getting children and grandchildren involved in the process turns it into an exciting project that can bring your family together. It will also help them understand more about their roots and story which they can pass down through the generations.
Computer skills
Computers and digital devices can be a source of fear for a lot of older people. Breaking down this fear and learning the skills they need to navigate the internet and use software or social media safely and effectively can massively increase their independence. It’ll also give their adult children reassurance that they’re less likely to fall victim to scams or malware.
Whether they’ve got a tablet or a laptop, upskilling older people with digital skills can radically increase their confidence. It’ll also help them reconnect or stay in touch with friends and family, find entertainment and get basic admin tasks (many of which are now online) done independently.
Improving accessibility for older adults
From making basic tasks more achievable to improving everyday comfort and sleep, Oak Tree Mobility supports older people to do more and enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle. Whether it’s a rise and recline chair that helps them get up and down more easily, an adjustable bed that supports them as they relax or a bath lift that offers extra reassurance, our expert team can help. Call 0808 304 1895 to find out more.
