How to live your Flourishing Fifties with hobbies ? by Sneha Tipnis

There are certain age related health disorders. These disorders include Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Of these, Dementia happens due to the deterioration of a person’s cognitive (brain) functioning. Later, it progresses to lead to Alzheimer’s, which causes the death of a person’s brain cells. And, as a result, the brain shrinks. According to NIA (National Institute for Health, Bethesda, U.S.), ‘Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear in their mid-60s. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of Dementia among older adults.’ Lastly, Parkinson’s disease causes memory loss or dementia. According to a video uploaded by Khan Academy Medicine, Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease. It involves the loss of control over body movements. Parkinson’s can surface and show symptoms during age of less than 50 years of a person.

Yet there are ways to keep oneself fresh and fit owing to such diseases during old age i.e. 55 years and above. Especially, in case of memory loss due to Dementia, mental stimulation becomes very important to keep one’s brain fit. Several memory games and activities are helpful to keep the senior citizens mentally fresh and fit. According to http://seniors.lovetoknow.com/, there are number of memory games like jigsaw puzzles, crossword, word search and Sudoku; other games for improving memory include Dominoes, Checkers, Chess, card games and Scrabble.

Apart from these memory games, certain activities and hobbies are also beneficial for people 55 years and above. As per, http://seniors.lovetoknow.com/ these hobbies include drawing, painting, knitting, playing musical instrument, scrapbook making, woodworking, creating mosaics from tiles or colorful paper, photography, gardening etc. When people of 55 and above involve in these activities, they can mentally and creatively uplift themselves. As a result, their brain cells stimulate and freshen up. Also, playing games like chess, card games and gardening are very helpful for them to interact with their peers (Senior citizens aged 55 and above). Many of these hobbies help the elderly maintain eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills. Also, those elderly who have short attention span, arthritis or poor eye-hand coordination, a craft or hobby can be modified to suit that person.

Thus, the mind or memory games help the elderly to re-establish recognition skills, and increase their memory power. These games and hobbies help the elderly to live a healthier and longer life. It enhances their social interaction and friendships. As a result, it helps them get rid off loneliness and depression.

So, it can be said that 50 and above is indeed a second innings for our elderly population!! And as the name speaks Silver Innings Group, it is truly a home for second innings of this silver population!! It is indeed a second and new phase of life for them!! So, they can truly enjoy their Flourishing Fifties!!


About Author:
Sneha Tipnis is a freelance writer from India. She has been writing for online writers’ platforms like writersbureau.com, Triond, Authspot and Bookstove.  She writes content for websites, brochures, blogs and social media updates. She’s an English Literature Graduate and Masters in Educational Technology – Computer Applications (MET-CA). She has worked in the e learning industry for a year pertaining to Masters Degree. She’s a student of The Writers Bureau  (A renowned Writing College in UK), Manchester, London.

You can connect with Sneha on her blog: goldentipsmumbai.blogspot.in, Google+, LinkedIn and Facebook page Thoughts, Feelings and Expressions.