22 Jul 5 Activities to Share with a Bedbound Patient

A variety of medical conditions can have an effect on a patient’s mobility. As a disease progresses, a patient may see a decrease in his mobility and even become mostly or totally confined to his bed. But keeping the patient as active as possible and as socially engaged as he wants to be is important. Sometimes, it can also be challenging. If you’re at a loss for ideas about what to do for your loved one who is confined to his bed, try these 5 activities that can be done with/for the patient. Keep in mind that each patient is different, and you will want to personalize these activities to fit your loved one’s abilities, preferences and comfort level.

1. Learn words from another language.

Has your loved one ever expressed an interest in learning another language? Even if learning an entire language isn’t feasible right now, it may interest him to learn a few words from the language of his choice. This is a great mental exercise as well! You can purchase vocabulary booklets and dictionaries for many different languages at your local bookstore. You can also find lists of words in other languages online. Do a Google search for “Most common words in Dutch” (or whichever language you prefer) and print out a list of words to share with your loved one. Allow him as much independence as he is capable of and with which he is comfortable. Learn with him and quiz each other!

2. Enjoy other brain games and word games.

Purchase workbooks of riddles, anagrams, quizzes, word searches, etc,. and make them available to your loved one. In addition to these workbooks, be sure to have pens, pencils and markers at his disposal as well. If your loved one is unable to hold a book or pencil because of a disability, take some time to help him with the word games. Tailor-make the experience to meet his needs.

3. Assist your loved one in writing a letter.

Is there someone to whom your loved one would like to write a letter? Written correspondence often carries a greater importance to older individuals than to younger people simply because it was a part of their lives before the boom of the digital age. Again, tailor-make this activity to meet the needs of your loved one. If he can write the letter himself, let him do so—simply make paper, pens, envelopes, greeting cards and stamps available to him. If he needs more assistance in writing letters, help him do the things he is unable to do independently. Make it a priority to mail the letters as soon as they are written and addressed.

4. Utilize pet therapy

Does your loved one have a cherished pet? It may be difficult for him to enjoy that pet. If your loved one is confined to his bed, it can be a challenge for him to get to hold and pet his beloved animal. Depending on the size and type of pet, it may be possible for you to help your loved one hold his pet. Many patients benefit emotionally from having their pets around, and continuing to have their pets near them even as their mobility declines can prove beneficial in many respects.

5. Bring in a favorite meal or take-out from a favorite restaurant.

If your loved one is mostly confined to his bed, cooking a favorite meal for himself is no longer a possibility. And it’s not possible for him to go to a restaurant to enjoy a favorite meal. You can bring a smile to his face by cooking his favorite meal and bringing it to him or by picking up a to-go order at his favorite restaurant and bringing it to him to enjoy. Before doing so, be sure that your loved one has no dietary restrictions related to his diagnosis or loss of mobility.

Keeping your loved one active and engaged while he is bedbound can be challenging, but with a little creativity and effort, you can bring a smile to his face while meeting some of his social and emotional needs.