You can have problems with your hands or lose finger dexterity at any age. However, it is more common after 50. Some studies show that musculoskeletal problems of the hand are more common among people over 50 than those who reach 65.
However, increasing hand strength alone is not always the solution. Well-functioning fingers and hands are associated with strong executive functions, which are mental skills such as flexibility, self-control, and working memory. Poor dexterity could indicate a greater risk of memory impairment, according to the study.
Learn more about how your hands can be affected and what hand and finger exercises can help seniors.
What Can Cause Your Hands to Weaken?
Hand health can be affected by certain health conditions.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
It can happen when the nerve running from the neck to your thumb to your ring finger gets compressed at the wrist. This can cause hand pain, numbness, or weakness. You may feel your fingers stiffen, swollen, or tighten. This can lead to a decrease in thumb strength or skill.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
The nerve that runs from the neck to the wrist is affected. At the elbow, the nerve responsible for muscle function and nerve function in the hand becomes compressed. The pain can spread from the elbow to the forearm, small and ring finger, and back of the hand. This can lead to hand weakness that is more severe than carpal tunnel syndrome.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is when the protective cartilage of joints wears away, causing pain and weakness. It is possible for fingers and hands to become stiffer, especially at the beginning of each day.
Osteoporosis
When the growth of bone does not keep up with the loss of bone, the bones become weaker and brittle. A fall, minor stress, or even a fall can lead to a wrist or hand fracture.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This chronic inflammatory disease affects the lining of joints and tendons. The most common symptoms are pain, stiffness, and swelling in the fingers.
These conditions must be diagnosed and treated immediately by a doctor. There are many ways to increase your dexterity with age.
How to improve your dexterity
These are 10 simple exercises that will help you increase dexterity, strength, and control of your fingers and hands.
1. Do Finger Lifts
Place your palm on a flat surface like a table. One at a time, lift a finger from the table. This can be quite challenging as your fingers might tend to move together. Each finger should be repeated several times before you move on. This will allow you to gain more flexibility in each finger.
2. Learn how to play a musical instrument
You can flex your fingers and strengthen your hand muscles by learning to play the clarinet, flute or guitar, as well as the piano, violin, and guitar. If you find this too difficult, try listening to music and clapping your hands to the beat.
3. Give a fist
As hard as possible, squeeze your fist inwardly. Keep the grip for 3 to 5 seconds and then let go. Repeat the process with the opposite hand. Do this five times. This will increase your dexterity.
4. Play String Games
Cat’s cradle, and other string games, keep your fingers and hands strong and flexible. It’s also something you can do all by yourself. Take a length of string, yarn, or shoestring that is between 30 and 80 inches long. You can follow the instructions online or in a book. This will help you to use your hands, fingers, and mind.
5. Learn to handwrite
Begin by picking up a pen or pencil without your thumb and trying to write. You’ll also get a good workout by doing this fun activity. Next, use your non-dominant hand to write. It is more likely that your dominant hand will lose dexterity quicker than your non-dominant. This can be done several times a day.
6. Find small items
You can use buttons, beads, coins, jewelry, and pasta shapes to sort. To keep your pieces safe, use small cups or an empty ice cube tray to sort them.
7. Learn Origami
This paper-folding craft can be fun and colorful. You can start by buying some origami and folding paper online. You’ll be able to create fun and colorful paper animals, flowers, boxes, and other designs as you use your fingers.
8. Try knitting and sewing
You can create useful and fun items by sewing or knitting. You might also consider cross stitching, crochet and needlepoint as needlecraft, or other non-needle crafts like macrame.
9. Use clay or putty
You can improve your dexterity by using clay or putty to help you. You can shape the clay or putty with small cookie cutters, or you can roll it out to make lengths. Seniors may like to add buttons, coins, or beads to the clay and then use them to make their fingers.
10. Use Locks and Latches Board
You can keep your hands busy by using a length of the board with locks, latches, or nuts and bolts. Using the motions, you’ll keep your mind active and your fingers flexible.
Our commitment, at Grande Cypress, is to provide non-institutional community retirement living. We believe this commitment allows our residents to age in place with dignity, purpose, and meaning. Call us today for more information.
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