Hobby's for older man?

Question

Hey, does anyone have any ideas for a hobby that is inexpensive for an older- middle aged man with very bad back problems (herniated disks)?

He feels he is pretty much house bound. This happened to him pretty much in the prime of his life. I think he feels resentful it happened and I think maybe somehting he can do to keep his mind ocupied instead of being in pain or sleeping all day.

Answer 1

A lot depends on what he can do with his back problems and what he can't... and/or for how long at a time.

Some people have already mentioned a few things that "middle-aged men" often enjoy (building models of anything --even model railroad stuff, dollhouses, miniatures, cars/planes, etc.. painting or learning about it...wood or leather burning, etc.... cooking, or cooking with a disability... reading... geneaology...etc.).

If he has a computer (and if not, he should get one!), he can have a great time and get a *lot* of sense of community and support by joining various online groups relating to things he's interested in, or dealing with things that are like him... there are even groups based on geography (where one lives)... there are loads of groups on various hobbies and interests *of all types*, on every illness and disability imaginable, etc, etc.**
The internet has made the lives of so many people who are housebound or have special problems SO much fuller and more meaningful, not to mention all the rest of us .

**To find those groups, check out some of the "mailing lists" (like those at yahoogroups or delphiforums), or look for "message boards" at various sites that have to do with that particular topic of interest or illness, etc.

You might also want to look on this "Disabilities" page at my site for other possibilities... my site is mostly about using polymer clay, but it also has other ideas and links to other sites that discuss crafts for those who have disabilities as well:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/disabilities.htm

And in fact, I've corresponded with another middle aged male with bad back problems, lots of surgeries, etc., who's just become interested in polymer clay... if you want his address for your friend, write to me at my e-mail address (click on my profile, or look on the home page of my website), and I'll send it to you.

HTH, and thanks for trying to help!

Diane B.

Answer 2

Encourage him to buy a dog if he doesn't already have one. (My dad has always had one and sometimes went to hunting with him/her.) My dad is actually in a very similar situation (he has even had back problems, too). As far as I know, he keeps himself busy by fixing machinery etc. (I guess he'll keep doing things he's always done as long as he can). Depending on your dad's former career he might also be able to continue work with similar things at his own pace. (If he has, say, worked with computers, he could organize courses on the basics of using the Internet for the elderly) What about some kind of volunteer work (among the homeless, elderly or disabled, for example)?

Answer 3

Scrapbooking, writing, drawing, painting, collecting (stamps, pencils, leaves and flower petals, anything)...

My elementary school had this program where older people came to the school and had lunch with the kids. The older people would share their experiences, photos, or play board games with the kids. Maybe he could try to find something like that in his neighborhood?

Answer 4

CROCHET. once you learn how to do it u are hooked!! i had an uncle who learnt it just fr fun as one day a client just showed how to do it to the ladies. Not all the women took to it but this uncle got so caught up in it and made the most amazing pieces -from table cloths to napkins, sofa backs and so much more! I still have some of the pieces he gave us and i love it because they are so beautiful!
L

Answer 5

wood working, wood burning, knitting (yes, many men knit), making bird houses and feeders from things he has on hand,
cooking, baking, reading.

Answer 6

make bird houses,wood carvings
paint things

Answer 7

model building? r/c cars? air plane building. he can collect fish in an aquarium.

Answer 8

An r/c car. http://towerhobbies.com this way he can just sit down and run it,they're are really fun,i buy all my r/c cars and parts here.

Answer 9

go fishing