Can you please help with ideas to keep a 70 year old man amused while he is stuck in a nursing home. He has lost the use of his legs but is mentaly well and has fairly good use of his hands.
2006-10-30 00:22:17 · 16 answers · asked by mishka_aurora 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Would the nursing home allow him a laptop computer? When my boyfriend was in the hospital and bedridden with pneumonia, bringing him his laptop basically kept him from losing his mind. A small portable DVD player can be a nice distraction, too, and very inexpensive.
Beyond that, intellectually stimulating reading material that challenge him like crosswords and puzzles, help keep his mind sharp. Did he have any hobbies before, like painting, drawing or tying fishing lures? A sketch pad can bring out new talents.
Ask him to write his memoirs, too, or begin to dictate them into a cassette recorder. The family will appreciate the memories, and he'll appreciate everyone being interested in the story of his life.
Organize events for the nursing home that bring young people into contact with him, too. Schools pair up young students and older people for interviews and for advice, like finding out first-hand what it was like being a kid during World War II with all the sacrifices families had to make. Contact local groups to see what you can start up.
Best of luck.
2006-10-30 00:33:30 · answer #1 · answered by wynterwood 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In many nursing homes there is a person / employee called an RAO or DT (Recreational Activities Officer or Diversional Therapist) it is their job to take care of the residents from this point of view, and if they deny it, then talk to their superior, the Registered Nurse (RN) or the Care Manager (CM) or the Director of Nursing (DON) to get the DT motivated to help your friend. They tend to become lazyafter a while, they "studied" at university for 3 years and entertaining geriatrics is beyond them... whoopp dee doo. That's their job, hey often tend to spend their time with the residents that amuse them, the ones who can walk, and the ones who can speak and the ones who can ... but as soon as a resident is a little bit more difficult, that's when the RAOs and the DTs tend to steer the other way. The louts get paid to do a job, and they get paid well, but they often don't fulfill their responsibility. So Yes I could give you some ideas, but I'd rather the correct person who is being paid to do that particular job is actually forced to do their job instead of wasting thier time doing stupid things like watering the garden, because there's no gardener, or feeding the pets, or , you just go and stay for a few days, and watch what they do, they'll put a video on the tv and that's their job done, too bad about all the other residents who can't get up to watch the video, the RAO wont go and spend time with them will they... NO they'll go and have a smoke. Then the DT will put s cd in the stereo and again they'll go off and have a chat to some other staff member, the lazy cruds are getting paid, but often not doing their job, force them to do their jobs, don't you make up for their laziness.
2006-10-30 01:18:44 · answer #2 · answered by dd_lee123 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work in a nursing home and care for several individuals in the same situation. Firstly, if he has lost the use of his legs but is still able to sit up, the nursing home that he stays in should be able to hoist him out of bed and into a wheel chair so that he can spend time in the day room with other residents. I would query this with the staff.
All of our immobile residents enjoy playing board games-in fact it can get slightly too competitive at times!! Jigsaws are also a good idea. Most 'rainy day' activities are suitable for an immobile patient.
But the best idea is to ask the man concerned what he would like to do, he'll know best after all.
Hope I've helped xxx
2006-10-30 00:29:07 · answer #3 · answered by moominjen 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since he is in a nursing home, there should also be activities available for all the residence in the meeting room, but if he is prohibited from leaving his bed, I can see where you need different ideas.
-Music
-books on tape or books that he can read to himself
-word games
-movies....are there any older movies that he would enjoy...or TV series that are now on DVD?...my grandpa loved old westerns.
-If theres is a way to get internet in his room, maybe you could get him a laptop computer. He could stay connected with others and play games etc on that.
-Crafts, such as painting or small woodworking projects or whatever you think he would enjoy.
2006-10-30 00:37:24 · answer #4 · answered by deerogre 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Find a project he can do in the nursing home while still sitting in a wheel chair. Maybe he could help prepare some of the meals, fold towels or some work he could do around the nursing home to help out.
2006-10-30 00:37:56 · answer #5 · answered by cal gal 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Would he enjoy listening to music? How about an ipod and recording all his favourite songs onto it? Can he watch TV - perhaps you could get his favourite things for him to watch. Otherwise, things like books and magazines - puzzle books etc. Would he like to make something - model plane etc.? Good luck with this. Perhaps Age Concern could give you some suggestions too - try their website.
2006-10-30 00:26:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have just bought myself a Nintendo DS lite, and there are great games on there for all ages, try the Brain Training games, it helps to keep the mind active, you could also try getting friends or neighbours to pop in and read to him, or audio books.
2006-10-30 00:32:57 · answer #7 · answered by sparkleythings_4you 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Could you get him broadband and a laptop ? I know it is a question of money but maybe the home is connected you'll only need a modem for wife !
If he is mentally agile he will enjoy the learning of it too !
2006-10-30 02:08:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chess and other such games old men like playing... Or get some fit young ladies to walk past and bend over every now and then, that would keep any man entertained!
2006-10-30 00:25:13 · answer #9 · answered by mrbatfink 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
read to them,buy a joke book and have some good laughs,card/board games,a manicure/pedicure,watch some favorite movies or listen to favorite music and push napping as rest is the most important part of healing(after laughing)
2006-10-30 01:05:26 · answer #10 · answered by kimmi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋