Dr. Eboni Green
August 9, 2022
Caregivers are familiar with the frustration their clients or family members can feel when living with limited mobility, even if the limitation is temporary.
Maintaining quality of life for a person who uses a wheelchair, walker, scooter, cane, or a pair of crutches takes some ingenuity and creativity. Brighten a client or loved one’s day with these three fun outdoor activities for people with limited mobility.
Many garden supply stores now stock raised beds designed to accommodate a wheelchair. People with limited mobility can get outside to plant, weed, water, and enjoy the fruits of their labor when vegetables grow and flowers bloom.
If investing in accessible home gardening equipment isn’t an option, consider a visit to a local botanical garden or park. Many now have accessible paths or even garden areas specially designed for people of all ages and abilities. Even if the person with mobility issues has no interest in gardening themselves, they may still appreciate an assisted stroll along accessible paths through beautiful gardens and natural areas.
The backyard can offer hours of peaceful outdoor fun for people with limited mobility. In many cases, it isn’t necessary to travel beyond the backyard or the courtyard of an assisted living facility to observe birds in their natural habitats.
If the available outdoor area is nothing but a stretch of uninterrupted lawn, suggest small additions that enhance people’s experience and attract more birds. Adding some small trees or shrubs, a colorful birdhouse, or a bird feeder can help. Birds will be attracted to food, water, and shelter.
These items require some maintenance to keep them clean and safe from predators, so it’s important to enlist other family members or staff to help. When they understand that bird watching improves enjoyment for both those with limited mobility and their caregivers, they’ll be willing to pitch in.
You don’t have to stand up or walk to hold a fishing rod and reel in a catch. Many accessible public outdoor areas, such as forest reserves and parks, permit fishing in designated ponds or rivers. Pack up the tackle box and load the accessible van for a fishing excursion.
Adaptive equipment allows a person who uses one arm to manipulate the rod and reel from a wheelchair attachment. Best of all, fishing is a fun family activity. Kids and grandkids can join in the fun, casting while sitting on the bank, alongside the family member in a wheelchair.
These are just three suggestions for outdoor activities for people who use wheelchairs, scooters, rollators, or other mobility aids. The most important thing is to remember that people with limited mobility still need to get outside! Fresh air and a change of scenery can go a long way to addressing the frustration or boredom that can arise from mobility issues.
