Regain Motor Skills: What Exercises Improve Coordination?

As we advance in years, we become prone to a host of neurological disorders such as dementia or a stroke. In such circumstances it’s crucially important not to give up hope. There are things we can do to regain lost motor skills and stay independent for longer.

Fairview Rehab & Nursing Home in Queens NY prides itself on helping patients regain skills they may have lost due to cognitive deficits. These can occur when patients have Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, or Traumatic Brain Injury. We provide inpatient and outpatient occupational therapy focusing on motor skills for such patients.

Therapist providing occupational therapy to elderly woman to regain motor skills

What Activities Help Regain Motor Skills?

Turning door handles, holding a pen, dressing, or picking up small objects are examples of activities that can become difficult. However, there are a number of activities and exercises that help restore fine motor skills necessary for daily living.

Experts recommend patients should do regular exercises to improve hand-eye coordination. The aim is to get patients to re-learn skills through repetition, often with a focus on hand or finger movements. Using a cell phone, a pair of scissors, or a toothbrush are activities which can be improved by practicing them.

Activities that help restore motor skills might be stacking coins or putting pegs in a peg board. Others include squeezing a stress ball, buttoning and unbuttoning clothes, doing puzzles, or moving beads from one bowl to another. Such activities help improve dexterity, hand-eye coordination and confidence.

How does occupational therapy help?

Occupational therapy is an important way of helping patients practice and learn such things. A friendly therapist can provide the vital emotional support that is needed to improve motor skills. Therapists can also teach patients how to break down a task into its component parts and keep things simple.

Occupational therapy builds confidence and helps patients stay calm in what is a stressful situation. Loving care and compassion are what makes occupational therapy such a vital part of rehab.

Can you regain motor skills after a stroke?

This will depend very much on the severity of the stroke and the overall health condition of the patient. However, many stroke sufferers have benefited from therapy and rehab to improve motor skills. This is so important for self-esteem, confidence, independence, and well-being.

Practicing the movement of small tendons and muscles in the hand can help make a huge difference to overall well-being. It can keep stroke sufferers more independent for longer and less of a burden on friends and family.

The rehab programs we provide at Fairview Rehab and Nursing Home in Queens NY help patients rewire and strengthen the communication pathways between neurons. This improves motor skills and coordination by boosting neuroplasticity and slows down cognitive decline. We offer individual and group cognitive and coordination skills exercises regularly.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to find out more about our medical care and rehab therapies. We are here to help and answer any questions and concerns you may have.

This article contains informational and educational materials and does not replace health or medical advice. For questions or concerns regarding your medical condition or health objectives, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.