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Looking for suggestions to help an older friend (72 and very frail) w/boredom following a fractured pelvis. While the pelvis heals (may take months) she cannot do much of anything. Getting around on her first floor is a challenge, but an aide is with her all day as her husband still works full time. The aide is very nice, but she does not engage her much (not sure they have much in common to talk about). Folks/friends try to call and visit, but she is not able to carry her side of conversations much and a visit of more than an hour really tires her out.


My friend has good hearing and eyesight, good use of her arms; but the legs due to the pelvis fractures (3 breaks in all) mean she is pretty immobile below the waist. Also, her memory and mental processing is not great/is declining (no diagnosis but it seems like the early stages of dementia, this decline was apparent before the pelvis break but worse now).


And she reports now she cannot really read now. She used to love reading books (that would occupy much of her day) ,but it is just too much for her now. She cannot follow and gets lost in the story. Things such as puzzles, games, cards too difficult too as she gets lost in it all.


Any suggestions on anything that might help with the boredom? There is only so much Netflix one can take. Thx in advance.

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We have a wonderful public radio station here. It’s for the blind but just as many sighted people listen to it. I listen to it all the time. It’s www.wrbh.org

They read unabridged books, magazine articles, newspapers, etc. They occasionally have interesting interviews.

Listening to music is always nice.

YouTube videos are fun as well.
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My mom is similar to your friend. The one thing she still enjoys is watching and listening to our parakeet chirp and chatter all day. If she can have a bird there, maybe? She also likes to thumb through old Christmas and greeting cards. Just a thought.
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Hi Sohnec,

Also your friend can read these jokes: https://www.agingcare.com/discussions/caregiver-jokes-152323.htm?orderby=recent

I had to make edits after reading the entire question properly.

Also on Youtube, watch vintage slapstick comedys like the silent Charlie Chaplin, it's similar to the cat videos, just watching with little concentration involved

Blessings & Peace.
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Funny pet videos. YouTube is one source. They don’t require much concentration, and young and old can watch together.
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What about going through old photo albums?
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I think your friend is in the early stages of Dementia. If she can't do the things you listed, she can't concentrate on Audio books. (I can't concentrate on audio books) If she didn't knit or crochet before, doubt if she can learn now. Music, that may be a good thing. 72, she's a 60s girl so play the oldies. Ask the aide to allow her to fold her own clothes. Coloring may be a good idea. They used to play a game at Moms NH where they took pool noodles and cut them up to make a handles that they used to swat at balloons across the table at each other. My Mom was pretty much into her Dementia but was able to play the game.

If her surgery was recent, she may have brain fog from the anesthetic. It takes a while in older people to wear off.
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Audio books?
Coloring, knitting, crocheting...?
There are some brain-stimulating channels/apps that might capture he attention.
And of course, music, which can stimulate cognition.
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