8 Finger Exercise Movements and Their Benefits for the Elderly

Finger exercises may sound unusual, but for seniors, this activity can provide significant benefits for their physical and mental health. In this article, we will explain what finger exercises are, their benefits, and eight finger exercise movements that can help improve motor skills in seniors.

What Are Finger Exercises?

Before we delve further, let's understand what finger exercises entail. Finger exercises consist of a series of workouts designed specifically to engage the movements and strength of the fingers and hands. This activity can involve the wrist, fingers, and even exercises for the thumb.

Finger exercises are typically performed with simple movements such as gripping, squeezing, or rotating the fingers. It is a lightweight form of exercise suitable for all age groups, especially for seniors.

What Are the Benefits of Doing Finger Exercises Every Day?

Finger exercises offer several remarkable benefits, especially for seniors. Here are some of the key benefits of a daily finger exercise routine:

Improves Finger Flexibility

Finger exercises help maintain the flexibility of the fingers, which is essential for everyday activities like buttoning clothes or holding writing tools.

Enhances Motor Coordination

Engaging in finger exercises helps improve motor coordination, reducing the risk of falls and enabling seniors to go about their daily lives with greater confidence.

Reduces Joint Stiffness

Seniors often experience joint stiffness, especially in their hands. Finger exercises help reduce this risk by promoting good blood circulation and maintaining joint health.

Improves Emotional Balance

Finger exercises can help reduce stress and enhance emotional balance. It's a great way for seniors to maintain their mental health.

Stimulates the Brain

Finger exercises can also stimulate the brain. This activity involves active and creative thinking, which helps maintain cognitive abilities at a good level.

Finger Exercise Movements to Improve Seniors' Motor Skills

Unlike regular sports or workouts, finger exercises won't leave you tired, breathless, or sweating excessively.

However, if you experience finger pain, use a warm compress or apply some muscle ointment before engaging in finger exercises. It's even better to consult a doctor to prevent worsening pain or injury conditions.

Here are some finger exercise movements you can do during your free moments:

Fist Clenching

This finger exercise is done for stretching purposes. To perform it, you need to make a fist.

Here are the steps for the fist-clenching finger exercise:

• Slowly make a fist, circling your thumb over your fingers.
• Hold for 30-60 seconds.
• Release and spread your fingers as wide as possible.
• Repeat this movement at least 4 times on both hands.

Scratching

Another stretching finger exercise involves forming your hand like a claw.

Here's how to do the scratching finger exercise:

• Face your right palm in front of you.
• Bend all your fingertips downward, forming a claw-like shape.
• Hold for 30-60 seconds, then release.
• Repeat at least 4 times on each hand.

Gripping

Gripping is a finger exercise that involves using a soft foam ball as a tool. It can help train hand and finger strength.

Here's how to do finger exercises with a gripping motion:

• Hold the foam ball in your palm.
• Squeeze as tightly as you can.
• Hold for a few seconds, then release.
• Repeat 10-15 times on each hand.
• Perform this exercise 2-3 times a week, with a 48-hour break between sessions. Avoid this movement if you experience pain or joint damage in your thumb.

Pinching

Finger exercises with a pinching motion can help strengthen finger muscles, making daily activities easier.

To perform this exercise, you may need a soft rubber band.

Here's how to do finger exercises with a pinching motion:

• Hold the foam ball in your palm.
• Squeeze as tightly as you can.
• Hold for a few seconds, then release.
• Repeat 10-15 times on each hand.
• Perform this exercise 2-3 times a week, with a 48-hour break between sessions. Avoid this movement if you experience pain or joint damage in your thumb.

Finger Lift

Finger lifting can be part of finger exercises to improve finger flexibility and range of motion.

Here's how to do finger exercises with a finger lift:

• Place your hand flat on a surface, such as a table.
• Lift each finger one by one slowly from the surface, while keeping your palm down.
• Occasionally, lift all fingers and your thumb simultaneously, then lower them.
• Repeat 8-12 times on each hand.

Thumb Extension

Thumb extension is a finger exercise that can strengthen thumb muscles, making it easier to lift heavy objects.

Here's how to perform thumb extension finger exercises:

• Place your hand flat on a table.
• Wrap your fingertips at the base of your thumb with a rubber band.
• Slowly move your thumb away from the other fingers as far as possible.
• Hold for 30-60 seconds, then release.
• Repeat 10-15 times on each hand.
• Perform this exercise 2-3 times a week, with a 48-hour break between sessions.

Thumb Touch

Thumb touch involves making a circle by touching the thumb and other fingertips. This exercise can increase the range of motion of your thumb.

Here's how to do thumb touch finger exercises:

Place your right hand in front of you with a straight wrist.
Touch your thumb to each of the other four fingers in succession to form a circle.
Hold each stretch for 30-60 seconds.
Repeat at least 4 times on each hand.
Play with Clay
Playing with clay is an enjoyable way to combine finger exercise movements. It feels more like play than exercise.

Playing with clay can also train hand movements, improve finger range, and strengthen the hand. No wonder clay is used as a play and fine motor skill training tool for children.

Finger exercises are simple yet effective workouts for seniors to maintain their physical and mental health. With a regular finger exercise routine, they can enhance flexibility, coordination, and overall well-being.

So, there's no reason not to try finger exercises in your daily routine. With easy movements and significant benefits, you'll experience positive changes in your life. Give it a try!