Aged care residents weave social connections with newly formed knitting and crocheting club

On Saturday, June 8 the world celebrates World Wide Knit in Public Day and TriCare Mt Gravatt Aged Care Residence is marking the occasion by getting together as part of their newly formed knitting and crocheting club.

Recognising the importance of social connection, the aged care provider is offering weekly sessions with their residents to not only help bring them together but also to help them learn a new skill.

Resident Margaret Whannell, 89, has loved continuing her most favourite hobby alongside her newfound friends.

“I first learned how to knit and crochet when I was a young teenager from my grandmother, so I’ve loved passing on the tradition to my own granddaughters and connecting through one of my greatest passions,” Whannell said.

“I used to make bikinis in summer and several cardigans and sweaters in winter, so it’s great to see the younger generations following in our footsteps and enjoying the same activities.

“Being part of TriCare’s knitting and crochet club has been brilliant. It’s so lovely to connect with the other residents, enjoy a cuppa, and knit alongside one another. I love being able to help residents with mobility issues continue to enjoy one of their favourite pastimes.”

Previous research has highlighted the link between social interactions and improved quality of life, something TriCare Mt Gravatt Aged Care Lifestyle Coordinator Suin Kim has seen first hand.

“The residents are always excited come Wednesday afternoon; the positive impact of the club is very apparent,” Kim said.

“Activities like these are so important as they provide a sense of purpose and belonging, which are essential for mental and emotional well-being.

“We’re proud to add our knitting club to the list of social and creative activities at our facility, and we look forward to seeing what our residents produce.”

Knitting can not only result in a nifty new scarf and the benefits that come with social connections but can also help reduce depression and anxiety, slow the onset of dementia, and take your mind off chronic pain, according to recent research. 

Knit for Peace, an organisation that knits for those in need, claims there is substantial evidence to suggest that knitting is beneficial to the mind and body. The British charity conducted an extensive review of previous studies and carried out a survey asking 1,000 members about their knitting experiences.

“There is an enormous amount of research showing that knitting has physical and mental health benefits” said the report, “that it slows the onset of dementia, combats depression and distracts from chronic pain.”

They noted that research from Harvard Medical School’s Mind and Body found knitting lowers the heart rate and decreases blood pressure, while a study from Mayo Clinic suggested those who knitted were 30 to 50 per cent less likely to have mild cognitive impairment such as dementia than those who didn’t.

Results of a survey of over 3,500 knitters worldwide, published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy, concluded that “Knitting has significant psychological and social benefits, which can contribute to wellbeing and quality of life.”