My gram needs a hobby. Any ideas?

I'm not sure I understand how that activities that are usually relaxing are disconnecting your grandmother from life. Could you explain?

I could see that reading novels might have that effect. But what about nonfiction? Would she enjoy some of the Chicken Soup books? What were her reading interests years ago?

Can she walk, w/ or without a walker? If so, you could start with short walks around your neighborhood. Or go to a small city/community park where she could also walk short walks.

If she's wheelchair bound, you could take her to museums or libraries. Libraries also use volunteer help. She'd have a chance to interact with people as well.

Even if she doesn't do needlework, do you think she'd enjoy some of the groups that meet at libraries or book stores (Borders used to have these), or would it be a reminder of what she can no longer do?

I think in order to make better suggestions, it would help to know more about her interests. Is she interested in foreign affairs, politics, ecological movements, animal care?? Did she work and if so what did she do?

There are also activities at senior centers. And depending on her stamina and mobility, activities which help others can be very inspirational. Packing food for distribution at senior centers or food pantries can be done sitting down. Again, if she's mobile, you could volunteer to deliver for Meals on Wheels and take her with you on nice days. She could meet and greet the shut-ins.

Charities and churches often need volunteer help, sometimes in preparing for various events. Hospitals can use volunteers as well.

A lot depends on her mobility. Is she taking meds for the tremors?

Garden to answer your questions she is mobile but doesnt want to drive anymore. When she worked she was a 911 dispatcher. mysteries is her reading genre of choice. The main issue i seem to be having trying to find her a hobbie is that she has been severely depressed for the past 3 years and has lost intrest in pretty much everything (except for her tablet which she reads and plays games on) i like that she still reads but when shes in her room reading herself to sleep for the majority of the day for multiple days then i feel its just assiting in her isolation.

Sunny i have mentioned this to her doctors she is on an antidepressent but not much has changed so i plan on mentioning it again on her next visit.

Maybe you could try an expansion on one of the things she already does well.

For example, she enjoys knitting and crocheting. Instead of knitting everyone in the house green flowered sweaters over and over (which I totally agree can be very disconnecting and mind numbing) I urge you to look to the nearest hospital with a NICU. These hospitals usually accept knitted or crocheted blankets and sometimes little hats, for the babies that appear early or are sick. These soft items can be a huge comfort to a suffering little baby, especially when the family is probably stressed out and suffering watching their little bundle of joy. People in their lives often have not made the blankets for the babies yet, as they have come very early or unexpectedly.

Your gram could inquire as to what is needed at the NICU, get the relevant patterns (the blankets for preemies are TEENY TINY so normal baby blanket patters are usually too big). Preemie blankets are so small that they are quick and easy projects to do, and she could do a bunch before delivering them.

When she delivers them to the hospital the staff will make a huge fuss over her and it will make her feel needed and accomplished...which may be what's really missing from her life right now.

I hope this helps.

Angel

Angel ive gone through the list for things she once enjoyed with her and they dont interest het thr same. She used to donate knit baby hats to the nicu locally but her shakes are so bad she cant do that anymore. She has switched from blankets to hats on a loom but even that she ends up knocking of her stitches. Thank you all so much for the ideas. I think our first try is going to be volunteering at a local animal shelter.

Find out if she had hobbies as a child or teenager, see if you can modify them for her age.

I agree with Pam, get her out once a week at least to socialize with people of her own generation. Card parties? Bingo? Just hanging out for lunch or tea at the senior's centre?

The activities are great, but if she is clinically depressed, I'm wondering how she is going to get the ability to become more involved and motivated. It may be expecting too much from her, though, I've read that some things may help. I would hope that her doctor could adjust her meds and that might lift her mood and allow her to receive more pleasure from her interests.

I know you said she was going to see her doctor again about her depression. I might also ask about checking her levels of Vitamin B and thyroid, as well as sugar. Just to make sure something like that is effecting her.

And I've read that a schedule is good, exercise, if possible,good diet and plenty of sleep. Does she have a trouble SLEEPING? If that is the case, she might just be very tired during the day. I'd check into that as well.

I'd build on the reading. Find a group that meets regularly, preferably one that reads a lot of mysteries. The one I belong to meets in a used book store. We select our reading list and it is mostly mysteries with a non-fiction once in a while, and sometimes best-sellers. Most of our members are middle age or older although we have had younger members. Hearing other people's opinions gives you a fresh way to look at books.

Many libraries have book clubs. Senior Centers often do.

And it does sound like her med needs adjusting.

Sunnygirl makes an excellent point. A hobby, an interest to get enthusiastic about, something to look forward to in the day -- all these are great and helpful. But they can't overcome clinical depression. A person with depression can't simply snap herself out of it by doing interesting things.

So I am so glad you are taking Gram to the doctor and this will get discussed again. There are many, many antidepressants and it is often trial-and-error to find the right one. But it is out there!

The suggested activities, etc, are good to try while a medication is working. They can help a lot, but probably not do the trick alone.