Senior Citizens & Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are the ability to use small, coordinated movements of the hands and fingers to complete tasks such as writing, sewing and typing. As people age, their manual dexterity declines, which is sometimes due to medical conditions such as Parkinson's disease, strokes and arthritis. Age-related sight deterioration can adversely affect hand-eye coordination, which is also necessary for fine motor control. Senior citizens might maintain their fine motor skills, such as sewing or playing a musical instrument, if they continue to practice regularly. By making lifestyle changes, senior citizens can help to prevent degenerative diseases and to manage any subsequent deterioration of fine motor skills.

Parkinson's Disease

• Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disease with a variety of symptoms, including loss of coordination and fine motor skills. As the disease progresses, sufferers can develop tremors and rigidity and lose their grip strength. This causes them to drop objects more frequently and to struggle with dressing and basic hygiene tasks. The symptoms of PD can cause distress and embarrassment for sufferers. Consequently, they risk restricting their activities or becoming housebound or depressed, all of which can lead to poor nutrition, inadequate exercise, and further muscle atrophy (i.e., loss of muscle tissue) and loss of hand control function. Dr. Rajesh Shah, at Ask Dr.Shah.com, recommends that sufferers eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains; drink more water; and perform regular exercise to help manage the symptoms of PD. To avoid frustration when dressing, Dr. Shah recommends clothes that have elastic waistbands and fabric fasteners instead of buttons.

Strokes

• Strokes can cause problems with fine motor control due to paralysis; spasticity (i.e., muscular tightness); and impairment of reflexes, balance and coordination. People over age 55 are at a higher risk of stroke, but senior citizens can take steps to reduce their risk by adopting a healthy lifestyle. This includes: control of blood pressure and cholesterol levels; avoidance of smoking; control of alcohol intake to stay within safe, recommended limits; and a healthy diet and exercise program to avoid obesity. For those who have suffered a decline in manual dexterity due to a stroke, the National Stroke Association recommends a series of exercises that "improve coordination and speed of movement necessary for fine motor skills." It also recommends modifications to the home and the addition of helpful implements for meal preparation, such as small electrical food processors, mixers, blenders, can openers and juicers.

Arthritis

• Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis that adversely affects the fine motor skills of senior citizens. Although osteoarthritis is not confined to older people, it develops over time and can cause inflammation in the joints of the hand. This can lead to a weakened grip strength and swelling of the fingers, which may cause pain when sufferers undertake tasks that require fine motor control. Arthritis Care recommends exercises for your hands and fingers, such as slow, controlled finger bends that can help to build strength and range of motion. You should repeat these twice a day. Use a wrist working splint to ensure correct support and position of your hand when you undertake tasks such as typing, and use a resting splint when your hand is at rest. Food supplements, such as omega-3 fish oil, may help to reduce inflammation in the joints.

Deterioration of Vision

• Tasks that require good hand-eye coordination may become more challenging with age. However, age-related vision deterioration is often treatable. Regular eye examinations are essential to diagnose any conditions or diseases that may cause loss of vision. For example, senior citizens sometimes develop cataracts, which turn the lens of the eye cloudy and require surgery. Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.