Try: Have the cr punch holes in a thick piece of paper several times each day or have the cr staple 3 or 4 pieces of paper several times each day
Materials: Hole puncher or stapler
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical
Information: n/a
References: Adapted from activities to promote hand development for pencil use and other tasks by jennifer dodge
Keywords: Weak hands and fingers hand grip grip strength
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Give the cr some clay or play dough and have him squeeze flatten it with a rolling pin the cr can also use play-doh extruding and squishing tools make this a daily activity to help strengthen the cr’s hands suggest that the cr do this activity with his grandkids
Materials: Clay or play dough rolling pin play-doh extruding and squishing tools
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical
Information: n/a
References: Adapted from activities to promote hand development for pencil use and other tasks by jennifer dodge
Keywords: Weak hands and fingers hand grip
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Ask the cr to flip a pencil or coin over and over in fingertips several times a day to improve his finger strength
Materials: Pencil or coin
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical
Information: n/a
References: Adapted from activities to promote hand development for pencil use and other tasks by jennifer dodge
Keywords: Poor hand movements fingers fingertips hands
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Instruct the cr to hold a small plastic cup filled with water upright in the tips of his fingers ask the cr to turn the cup without spilling the water by turning it in his fingertips make this a daily exercise to help improve the cr’s finger strength
Materials: Small cup or cap from laundry detergent bottle
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical
Information: n/a
References: Adapted from activities to promote hand development for pencil use and other tasks by jennifer dodge
Keywords: Poor hand movements fingers fingertips hands
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Install a non-slip carpet or mat near the toilet sink and bathtub make sure towels are low and easy to reach bring in a hamper where wet towels can be put
Materials: Non-slip carpet or mat
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Personal
Information: n/a
References: guide to in-home senior safety by home watch care givers available at www homewatchcaregivers com
Keywords: Falls slick floor bathroom safety
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Play finger tug of war with coffee stirs plastic lace or a marble make this a daily activity to strengthen the cr’s fingers and hands
Materials: Coffee stirs plastic lace or a marble
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical
Information: n/a
References: Adapted from activities to promote hand development for pencil use and other tasks by jennifer dodge
Keywords: Poor hand movements fingers hands
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Ask the cr to make several small objects with the modeling clay or play dough make this a daily activity to improve the cr cr’s hand and finger strength
Materials: Modeling clay or play dough
Categories: Medical Physical, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware
Information: n/a
References: Adapted from the internet website www school-ot com activities to promote hand development for pencil use and other tasks by jennifer dodge no date
Keywords: Poor hand movements fingers hands using hands using fingers
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Ask the cr to hold a pencil as if he is going to write with it ask the cr to walk his fingers up towards the eraser when he gets there flip the pencil over without using the other hand or a surface to brace it walk fingers back to the other end and repeat make this a daily exercise to improve hand and finger strength
Materials: Pencil
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical
Information: n/a
References: Adapted from activities to promote hand development for pencil use and other tasks by jennifer dodge
Keywords: Poor hand movements fingers hands
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Tell the cr to fan out his fingers every day have the cr practice making a fist several times a day celebrate every little gain even if it’s just a twitch in the cr’s fingers
Materials: n/a
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical
Information: n/a
References: Adapted from fine tuning tips for improving fine motor skills stroke connection magazine september october 2003 available at
Keywords: Fine motor skills weak hands hands fingers
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Place two pennies and two paper clips in the cr’s palm while sitting at a table ask the cr to try to move one penny to his fingertips and place it on the table without using his other hand then one paper clip and so on try this exercise using more items as it gets easier for the cr
Materials: 2 pennies 2 paper clips
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical
Information: n/a
References: activities to promote hand development for pencil use and other tasks by jennifer dodge
Keywords: Hand movements fingers hands using hands using fingers
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed