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My mother was in a car accident and hurt her right leg and bones. Undergoing 5 plus hours of surgery she has to wait 3 months before she can put any weight on her legs. Therefore learning how to walk again in re-hab is a long time to wait for an 83 year old. She now rests in her bed watching TV with some physical therapy for upper body and they put her in a chair at times and move her into the day room as they call it. My concern is she is telling me she is soooo bored. How can I help her out? What can I bring for her to do in the re-hab bedroom environment so she isn't so bored? Anybody out there go through this already to offer some suggestions? Other than TV? I did bring in a radio so she can listen to news which she likes. She needs her glasses updated so reading may not be a good option either at this time.

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Birds and Bloom Magazine has wonderful colored pictures of flowers and birds. It would be fun for her to look at. You might try large print word puzzle or word search books. My Mom loves those. You might also try books on tape, I think that is fun and really entertaining. take care, J
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Check with your state's library for the blind and physically handicapped. They may be able to provide recorded books and listening equipment. You can look up your local library at http://www.loc.gov/nls/

Also, ABLEDATA has a good collection of game board and fun items for hobbies like knitting and crocheting helpers for people with limited mobility, card holders for people who have to recline, etc. Check them out at http://www.abledata.com
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Ask yourself this very same question....then what would you like to do or see?
I love magazines. I love the mags that have a professional slant, such as Scientific American, National Geographic Traveler or Architectural Digest.
These are a cut above the mags that you see in the Dentist's office or in the hair salon. What does she like? What is she interested in? Get those publications to her, and I think she'll enjoy them.
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What could be a bucket list project for her. If she enjoys classical music, then have first project be to listen to all of Brahms Symphonies...only four. Actually find them on DVD (check out Netflix, they have a lot of these sorts of programs). If she falls in love with Brahms, then get a chamber work like the french horn piece, piano sonatas, etc. The German Requiem.

Make it a goal to listen to (see on DVD) all of Beethoven's symphonies, the Bminor mass of Bach, the two passions of Bach. That sort of thing...or make another project...all of the Joseph Campbell Myth video programs. The Sister Wendy art programs. Get her a small DVD player with noise cancelling headphones perhaps.

Something that is great for ambient passing of time, set up bird feeder if possible outside her window. Get some sort of table and put peanuts and sunflowers for squirrels and jays. (not with shells, no mess that way to sweep up.) Is there a pet therapy program? You can bring in tiny aquarium meant for those fighting fish...

Do they have WiFi at the NH? Bring in your computer and surf the net with her. Get splitter with two headphones...Look at the Ted lectures...only 15 min each and so fascinating.
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It is always SO great to see all the suggestions that are made here for keeping our loved ones busy. If she can.. why not have other residents come and VISIT with her and share stories, tea, etc. Sometimes "misery" just needs company! And maybe they won't be miserable!

When Mom was confined to bed, we had "tea parties" in her room while we watched FOOD TV and got ideas for our next party! Mom loved it, the other residents that didn't get visitors loved it too, so everyone was happy!
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If for reading all she need is simple reading glasses, go to the dollar store and pick up several different strengths. I called the stores first and found out who carried them. At $3-$6 each it is great!
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My (96) mom enjoyed reading Danielle Steele novels. About a year ago she said she could not remember what she reads. No more novels. Now, she enjoys magazines and especially catalogs (all kinds of catalogs). Fortunately, she doesn't have to stay in bed. But, she did have a 7-day stay at rehab after hip surgery in Jan. Again, catalogs, newspapers, magazines! She used to crochet and sew but not anymore.
Someone suggested my mom might enjoy putting photos in an album (but not). That might work for your mom.
I'm looking for ideas too. I hope this helps.
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You are so right Karenw, novels are now too much. My mom loved to read All Creatures Great and Small and now she cannot. Only 2 months later! So I gave her a more children's book, my favorite -Laura was my Camel- and it is so cute and easy for her to read, but still not childish. She appreciates the short chapters. And a bit larger word spacing.
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Just ask her what she would like to fill in her time? Visits from friends or family. Movies? You can get small DVD players and you don't have to watch you can also just lie down and listen to a movie. I love doing that myself. Not only movies are on DVD but shows about practically anything..history, HBO series, PBS specials....CSPAN specials...etc.
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Hi Mudd,
Since mom's needs a new prescription for glasses, try going to the Dollar Store or even Wal-Mart and getting her some reading glasses, it a temporary fix but it works. Also try crossword books,Perhaps you can introduce bingo, pokeno, checkers. Ask her interest and you can't go wrong.
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My Mom just checked out of rehab. I brought her magazines and favorite treats that she could have. I baked some fresh cookies that she could give to her favorite nurses.
Mom likes jigsaw puzzles. The PT also gave her these exercise devices that she can use with her hands and arms so she "worked out" whenever she was in her room.
It also helped that she had a roomate. They visited all day long and are now still in touch. I think it really helped her to be around so many people. She has quite a sense of humor and it was good to see her joking with everyone.
If your Mom is a person of faith, there are clergy that visit the rooms every week or so. Ask the head nurse about it.
Mom was also able to have her hair done in her room. They had a visiting hair dresser that came in once a week. Made her feel so much better.
If she likes pets, they had therapy dogs that came by for a visit. She just loved that.
I brought a basket of fresh flowers...brightens up the room. You could bring posters, photos, anything with lots of color.
There are also electronic picture frames that change the pictures like a slide show.
Mom also likes hand-held video games like solitare, tetrus, etc.
A good place to start is with the head nurse and ask what activities or services are available to a patient that is room-bound.
Hope this helps...
Lilli
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The Wii, Crossword Puzzles and now there's this excersize chair for seniors. A portable DVD TV with fave old movies ( but u have to show her how to use it) Or a portable DVD player with some old DVD's. CD player with her fave music on CD (yes they still have oldies at FYE) and every now and then video tape the family saying hello to her, or family special moments. A childs first walk, graduations, weddings, picnics. Every family event have each member say something to her and have them call her regularly. Arts and crafts, crochet and beading projects. I know. My dad was in rehab. On days I could visit him i made sure if there were events I would go with him inside the rehab. One time they had a cookout and i went with him to the barbecue on the patio and brought his grandchildren. It was a blast. Try to have the family take turns visiting. Tell them put this in their schedule or at least make a video taped message or phone call. She'll love it. My dad was 85 too. He past away last year with the family around him.
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Call your local Area Agency on Aging or United Way to see if there is volunteer duties that she can do from her bed (i.e. envelope stuffing for mailers, crocheting or knitting baby hats/blankets for ICU newborns, being a Phone Call Reassurance volunteer.....which involves calling elderly homebound individuals to make sure they are doing okay). I am a director of a senior assistance organization that handles volunteer opportunities as well as taking care of elderly homebound individuals so I know these things are always in demand. It may involve your assistance in getting the items from the organization to and from your mom but it's great to feel needed and help others while you are stuck in bed not being able to help yourself.
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Picture albums! Old pictures, new pictures, pictures of family, places, events, etc. Reminds her of better times, may offer motivation, comfort and recreation.
Send friends and family members an email asking them to do a "card barrage"! Ask them to send her a greeting cards and/or post cards to make a big collection of colorful greetings, great to thumb through time and time again.
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