The Importance Of Hand Eye Coordination In Your Seniors Years

What is hand-eye coordination? Hand-eye coordination is the ability to do activities that require the simultaneous use of our hands and eyes.

Whilst not immediately recognisable, we use a lot of hand eye coordination for our daily activities. It is only the lack thereof that makes one cherish its importance. This is a cognitive ability which requires both visual and motor skills to lead the hands to do what the brain is telling it to. From activities like exercising, brushing teeth and even eating, such hand eye coordination is imperative. 

As one ages, it is normal for hand eye coordination abilities to deteriorate. Many factors could be responsible for reduced hand-eye coordination. Declining functions in certain parts of the brain and changes in vision are common causes of a decline in hand eye coordination capabilities. 

The importance of hand eye coordination 

Something we only realise the importance of once we do not have it. Hand eye coordination is crucial in helping us get about activities of daily living from driving, writing, cooking to even buttoning a shirt. The decline of this ability in seniors can result in a blow to one’s confidence and self esteem due to a loss in independence. Hand eye coordination is also what shapes overall motor skills, reflexes, and reaction times which affects the efficiency and speed at which one gets about tasks. 

As seniors are at higher risks of falls, the ability to maintain balance and quickly grab onto something to prevent or break a fall becomes all the more important.

How to assist seniors with hand eye coordination issues? 

If you’re a caregiver and you notice your loved one suffering from hand eye coordination issues, do seek professional help at first instance. After which, engage your loved one in a conversation on how this is a natural part of ageing and that they should not be too affected by it. Provide support in a way that helps them but still respecting their autonomy, giving them as much independence as possible. 

Activities to improve hand ey margin-bottom: 8px;e coordination 

1. Puzzles: Jigsaw puzzles are great games to work on hand eye coordination as it requires one to manipulate the puzzle pieces till it fits 
2. Play a simple game of catch: Catch need not be a physical activity. Start with a soft ball, sitting down and passing the ball. If one is more comfortable with the game, start moving around and passing the ball to get in some physical activity 
3. Drawing and painting: Activities that allow one to unleash their creative juices actually improves hand eye coordination. The creation of crafts such as origami requires attention to detail and is a great way to engage the mind and hands 
4. Racket sports: Table tennis, tennis, badminton, pickleball are racket sports that trains your eyes to watch the ball and the brain instructs the body to react to it

Conclusion 

Everyone experiences changes to their body as they age. Once decline in hand eye coordination is detected, always seek professional opinion at first instance before the condition deteriorates. If it is caused by a neurological condition, the doctor would be able to prescribe treatment options. If it is primarily caused by ageing, the doctor would also be able to prescribe activities that can improve hand eye coordination.