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My 79 year old mother will be moving in with us in a few weeks and I'm trying to think of things that may interest her. Of course stamping is the first thing that comes to mind but Mom has arthritis pretty bad in her hands. Although that may make coloring images difficult, I have many solid image stamps that may work (or I could color the stamped image for her). For the past couple of years she's lost interest in doing anything other than watching tv or reading romance novels. I'd really like to get her interested in doing things again but I need to figure out what's realistic for her age and abilities. I was wondering if anyone familiar with arthritis can advise me if stamping is something my Mom could do or if it would be too difficult.
First of all, I think it's fantastic that you're trying yo get her interested in doing things. It would be wonderful if she could do some stamping. I would definitely give it a try.
-Some stamps and inkpads need more pressure than others.
-Maybe I would go for solid stamps, and I always like the juicy Colorbox Fluid Chalk inkpads. She could have quick results with those.
-Probably a woodblock mounted stamp will have a better grip than an acrylic block?
Wishing you all the best!
I can answer with am emphatic NO it is NOT too difficult.
I was diagnosed when I was five over 35 years ago. My doctor LOVES the fact that I stamp.
My hands are pretty bad, my Xrays look like your mother's I bet.
I would however suggest, no stamps with lots of fine detail that need coloring.. solids are best. and steer her away from tiny embellishments like dew drops or small buttons. even ribbon tying can be a pain( literally). But between designer paper and solid stamps she should have plenty of things to use..
I do say that punches can be very hard as well.. I did have to get rid of a few of mine that were painful for me to use.
I have a cuttlebug and that is NOT hard to do at all, in fact it makes it very easy for me to get layers now. and I can use the Nesties without too much trouble.
Not at all! Ihave severe arthritis in my hands, growths in my writs and up the tendons in my arm. I have had a broken back and dis-placed hip and several surgeries!
I have adjusted the way I do some things, I have gotten certain styles of tools to make stamping easier.
It is a matter of trying things and finding what works best for each person. For me, it is unmounted as the shape of the wooden blocks are to hard and heavy for me.
I do the things I can on the days I can, and have learned not to beat myself up on the days I can't!
__________________ Karen
...My life is like a stroll on the beach...As near to the edge as I can go...Thoreau...
...what about using the "rock a blocks" (i think that is what they are called with the acrylic stamps...it seems like those would make stamping a little easier...
Karen is absolutely right--you will need to experiment a bit and find out what works best for her. Some days she may be able to punch--some days, probably not. You may need to prepunch some shapes, and let her play with designer paper and the punched shapes. If she can't stamp, stamp some things for her and just let her "create". I am guessing that she can probably do some simple stamping but not much in the way of fine-motor work (coloring small images). I have rheumatoid arthritis, and some days are just better than others. My doctors motto is "either USE it or LOSE it"--so I really try hard to keep doing the things I love, even if it gets difficult once in awhile.
Just something else to think of, check out the local senior center for things for her to do. I know they usually have some different crafts, card games, discussion groups, etc. I would think that their crafts would be able to be adapted to people with arthritis.
As far as using punches, there are those punch pal things. I think they help some, but if she can use the cuttlebug then the nesties will do just about everything the punches can.
Maybe she would be interested in scrapbooking. Stickers would be easy to use.
Thank you everyone for your excellent ideas! I have a Big Kick machine (the precursor to the Big Shot) and lots of dp and can punch things for her. Plus I have a lot of Colorbox chalk pads and Brilliance pads which are juicy, thanks for pointing that out. I was so hoping we could create together so it's nice to know that I can try to interest her in my hobby. I scrapbook and will try that with her too as for some reason she was really concerned that I wouldn't let her bring her pictures. And I didn't even think of the senior center, thanks! I'm hoping once she gets settled with us she won't be so resistant to getting out and about anymore.
Hugs to all you stampers who struggle with challenges! As I watch the knuckles on my hands becoming misshapen like my mother's I've wondered if my paper crafting will come to an end in a few years so it's doubly nice to know I'll still be able to use some of my things. Bless you!
You are a sweetheart. Your mother should be very proud that she has a wonderful daughter like you. I hope the 2 of you have a ball together, no matter you decide to do!
__________________ A good dog, a sewing machine, and an old guitar......
I have rheumatoid arthritis and it is pretty bad in my hands but some days are better than others and on those days I stamp all day!! I use both acrylic and wooden block. Just depends on how my hands feel on any given day. I have dropped my stmaps and made blemishes on my cards before but I just think of those blemishes as a great reason to embellish! Good luck to you and your mom on your stamping adventures!
patti
__________________
Shoes can change your LIFE...ask CINDERELLA
Patti
Fan Club Member RAK Group Member Chemo Angel, Stampin Up Demonstrator
Scrapbook goal: April 7/10 MAY /5 YTD 32
God bless you for letting your Mom move in with you. My suggestion on paper crafts is this... let your Mom try everything. Stamping, painting coloring, embossing.... everything. Then let her decide what she likes, or dislikes, or what is too difficult.
AND BE SURE that if she wants to show you how something is done -- even the things you already know, allow her to do that for you. If she wants to teach you to knit or crochet or bake gingersnaps or fresh spaghetti sauce give her that opportunity. A lot of her independence is being taken from her which can make a person feel useless and unwanted. Patience is a very special gift you can give to her.
You are a sweetheart. Your mother should be very proud that she has a wonderful daughter like you. I hope the 2 of you have a ball together, no matter you decide to do!
Why, how sweet - thank you! I've been trying to get her to come live with us for the past 2 years so I'm glad that she's finally agreed to come. I'm really hoping that she'll perk up and be happy again.
God bless you for letting your Mom move in with you. My suggestion on paper crafts is this... let your Mom try everything. Stamping, painting coloring, embossing.... everything. Then let her decide what she likes, or dislikes, or what is too difficult.
AND BE SURE that if she wants to show you how something is done -- even the things you already know, allow her to do that for you. If she wants to teach you to knit or crochet or bake gingersnaps or fresh spaghetti sauce give her that opportunity. A lot of her independence is being taken from her which can make a person feel useless and unwanted. Patience is a very special gift you can give to her.
And thanks, Patti for the encouragement and GarnetJ for the advice! I know that this will be a huge change for all of us so it's good to be reminded to be patient with Mom and allow her to contribute in any way she wishes.
I volunteer at our local senior center, and have arthritis in my hands, also. It is more difficult for some to color in fine images, and to cut with scissors. The easiest for me, and also some of my stamping friends with arthritis, or who have had strokes, are the Rubberstamptapestery.com stamps. They are on pegs, and easy to hold. You tap them on the inkpad, so there is no coloring. It's kind of like embroidery, without the needle and thread.
If you checkout their website, they have lovely videos to show exactly how it's done. Good luck. Eileen
__________________ The best things in life aren't things.
Is stamping too difficult for arthritic hands?
