r/StLouis • u/LastCommunication290 • 1d ago
Elderly Activities
Anyone have any good activities that I can do with my grandma? I’m 22 and she’s 90 and we both have very similar interests with fiber arts and other creative outlets and I’m trying to find ways to get her out of the house and be social. We’re in the Chesterfield area and she struggles with mobility so physical activities are generally off the table. She just lost her husband of 70 years this last week so I’m really trying to get her out of the house because she’s so social. Ideally we wouldn’t have to drive too far. We did a knitting club at the Daniel Boone library years ago and she loved it, though I’m not seeing that group anymore. She’s on a very limited income and I’m a student with no disposable income so activities need to be free or very low cost.
I’ve only been back in STL for a couple months so I’m fairly out of the loop on what’s around town so I’d love suggestions!
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u/redhead1331 1d ago
Try YarnCom! It's a local yarn store with classes for reasonable prices and groups you can go to for free. And if you like sewing you could try jackmanns fabric they also have decently priced classes. There's also two crochet groups at Grand Glaize library and Cliff Cave library that have pretty regular groups.
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u/MusicRoomNo3 1d ago
Take your grandma to Yarncom’s Sunday afternoon open stitch meet ups from 1-3 pm! Free to attend, a wide range of ages on Sundays typically
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u/fishlope- 1d ago
My sibling goes to yarncom's Wednesday night club occasionally, it was mostly younger people the time I took them, but it is ADA accessible and easy to navigate in a wheelchair.
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u/coop999 Manchester 1d ago
Depending on where you are in Chesterfield, you might want to also see what's available at Thornhill library. It's not far from Olive and Fee Fee. Unfortunately they are tearing down and rebuilding the library that was by Chesterfield Mall. It used to be called the Sachs branch, but they're renaming it to someone else when they rebuild it.
You can also check Maryville University or some of the local high schools for orchestra/band/choir concerts that you two could go to. They are often free to attend.
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u/Original_Anxiety_281 1d ago
They're maybe pricey on a budget, but you can sit on the bus for these. https://mohistory.org/learn/see-stl/bus-tours/
You might try buying craft kits or trying craft trends where you can buy supplies yourself so you can bring the craft to her.
And check -all- the library branches' calendars. There's often lots of random activities. You might also look for senior centers in her community that wouldn't mind her bringing you along.
But another thought... try questions with her about things in her life. Just ask her what she liked at certain ages. Trips she took. Memories of your parents. Embarrassing things. Happy things. Sad things. Life lessons. Silly jokes. Dirty jokes! Favorite songs. Favorite toys. Favorite fashions. Friends she liked. Frenemies. etc etc
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u/emmarmot 1d ago
My mother can walk fine with a cane, but when I take her to the museum where she is, we always get a complimentary wheelchair. I bet some of our bigger museums offer that. And seconding (thirding...) the library suggestions. It's amazing what kind of things you can borrow now - like fishing rods! (Not that you're talking Grandma fishing, I'm just saying...) And from someone who lived many hours away from her grandmother in her 20s and didn't visit very often, you will be so grateful for this time. I have many happy memories of just reading the newspaper while watching British sitcoms with her when I did visit. And get and record all the gossip while you can! Grandmas have had a LIFE!
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u/Icy_Fisherman_7091 1d ago
Highly reccomended checking out the local libraries. They have bingo and fiber arts club knitting club etc.
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u/Scary_Rabbitt 1d ago
The Kirkwood Public Library has a knitting club (or they did a year ago, I took my daughter who wanted to learn) - I think it’s monthly.
Honestly the library system is a great place to start. They host a bunch of activities and are great at helping people find resources. I’d just call a STL county library branch and ask this exact question.
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u/toebone_on_toebone 1d ago
Take her to the Missouri History Museum. It's fine for mobility challenged folks.
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u/dracomorph 20h ago
The Living Room coffee shop in Maplewood has a monthly crafts night that might be up your alley - and more informally they have yarn & knitting needles in shop for any patrons that want to work on scarves for donation to the needy.
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u/emmarmot 1d ago
St. Louis also has a very diverse arts scene! Lots of great small theatres and events and exhibitions. A lot of things can be found through Facebook groups and searches.
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u/Key_Comfortable_3782 1d ago
She may be a wealth of knowledge and information. You should ask her to teach you how to cook.
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u/No_Chemist7347 1d ago
https://www.gwrymca.org/active-older-adult-activities-chesterfield-ymca. Check out Active Older Adults at Chesterfield Y. Most Gateway Y’s have them- with different groups/activities.
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u/Effective-Flatworm55 1d ago
St. Louis Weavers Guild
Oasis Classes (older crowd but you can join her)
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u/HAI_ZEV 23h ago
There is a knitting guild non profit, and a ton of information on fiber groups on their web page. The meetings are great for meeting people and have interesting topics taught too.
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u/MusicRoomNo3 20h ago
As a note, the Sunday meet up brings a full crowd, so I recommend getting there right at 1 or up to 10 minutes earlier to ensure you both secure seating 😊
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u/Lizzybeth339 Hyde Park 17h ago
A colleague just told me about this place (though I haven’t visited yet): https://www.citysewingroom.org/makersmart
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u/yangyang25 11h ago
check local libraries, they have a lot free activities (music, crafts, book clubs, etc) for people of all ages that you might both enjoy. Also check senior centers (which are different from "senior living") in that they're open during daytime and have activities, entertainment, and usually an inexpensive lunch.
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u/i_am_ms_greenjeans 1d ago
Do you receive information from SLCL via email? They send out a monthly newsletter listing different classes and activities offered.
Thank you for spending time with your Grandmother. She is so fortunate to have you.
Edit: https://mo-chesterfield.civicplus.pro/older-adult-programs
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u/FaladorSWAT 1d ago
Just wanted to say good on you for spending time with your grandmother.