How to Avoid Boredom at the Hospital
Written by:
Jeffrey Grossman
Published:
June 20, 2020
Did you know that between 2015 and 2050, the number of people 60 years and older will rise from 12% to 22%? Are you looking for fun activities for seniors with limited mobility? In this article, explore fun activities from word games for seniors to therapeutic activities. Read on to discover how to ensure they're keeping active in the hospital.
Word Games for Seniors
When you're looking for word games for elderly citizens, there's plenty to choose from. From hangman to rhyming ball this list has you covered.
Hangman
Hangman is great when you're looking for word games for the elderly. To play hangman, you can take a pencil and a piece of paper. Draw the hangman on the paper and have the seniors guess the word.Hangman is a great example of word games for dementia patients since they can guess any letter in the alphabet and not feel discouraged.
Rhyming Ball
Rhyming ball is another great option. This will have them using physical coordination along with thinking quickly. To play this, you just need a soft and small ball. You'll have seniors in a circle and give the ball to the starting player. The person who begins has to think of a word before they pass it to another. Next, the person who catches it must think of a rhyming word.
Crossword Puzzles
Word games are a great way to increase their self-confidence. This will also improve their quality of life when they're having fun with others. Crossword puzzles are a favorite among seniors since it allows them to keep their minds sharp while having fun. It helps their memory and language skills as well. If the puzzles are too hard in books or newspapers for them, you can create your own puzzles for them that are easier.
Elderly Therapy Activities
Interactive games for senior citizens are important parts of therapy. There are plenty of therapeutic activities they can do even with limited mobility. From scrapbooking to painting, there's something for everyone.
Scrapbooking
Memory lane activities for senior citizens include scrapbooking. This is a great way to enjoy letting their creativity shine while having fun. It's a great way to exercise their mind as well since they'll be trying to remember different events and experiences.
Painting
Painting is a great way to express yourself and show how you feel. It's a great way for seniors to feel more confident in themselves and improve their hand-eye coordination. They can try out oil painting, watercolors, and acrylics. They don't have to stand while painting either if you're looking for sit down games for senior citizens. Researchers discovered that creativity leads to reduced depression, stress, and anxiety. You're also able to express how you feel such as showing positivity or sharing grief.
Name That Tune
Another option is a musical game called name that tune. Players will have to guess the name of the song that's being played. They'll want to guess as many songs as they can for scoring points. Whoever has the most points at the end is the winner. It can also be played as one-player game where you quiz them to see how well they know music and give them a prize at the end.
Get Moving
Exercise is still a great option for those with limited mobility. They can try chair yoga or different seated exercises.
Seated Exercises
Chair exercises are workouts that are done while they're seated. You'll want a chair that's steady and won't fall while they're seated.
Chair Yoga
Chair yoga is another great option since it can be relaxing and fun. Even seated, chair yoga is a great way to stretch muscles and get moving.
Board Games
Board games and other games are a great option when you're looking for seated activities. From Monopoly to Chess, they'll not only work seniors' minds, but they're fun activities as well.
Monopoly
This is one of the older board games that many have played at least once. Many seniors become nostalgic playing this game and reminisce about the old times.
Chess
Chess is another classic game that has been around for a long time. This will get them to practice their thinking and logical skills.
Bingo
Many seniors enjoy bingo since it's easy to play and is great for socializing too. You'll have one person draw numbers and then players will try to find that number on their board. If they have that number they'll put down a playing chip until they can announce bingo.
Solitaire
You can have seniors play solitaire even online (if they're comfortable with that) or in person. This will train them to increase their memory and notice patterns in the cards.
Video Games
Some video games can be easily played from the comfort of a bed or chair. There are many games to choose from, and a popular one among seniors is bowling.
Enjoy Television
Whether you're watching a movie or a couple of TV shows, television can be educational. They can watch the Travel Channel or Food Network to learn about different destinations and cooking. The idea is to watch limited TV and not have them be glued to it all day.
Exploring Word Games for Seniors and Other Activities
When you're looking for word games for seniors and other activities, there are so many to choose from that there's something for everyone. Whether you're looking for at-home personal care or companionship services, we have you covered. Contact us today. Our phone lines are open 24/7, and we'd love to help you find the right care for your loved one.
Disclaimer: Please check with your physician before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or medication routine.