Enjoy a Comfortable Hospital Stay! Fun Pastime Activities Recommended for Seniors
A hospital stay is a time to let your body rest, but it can get boring when there’s nothing to do every day.
Having too much time on your hands can sometimes be taxing both mentally and physically, so it’s important to find light recreational activities that help pass the time.
In this article, we’ll introduce enjoyable ways for older adults to spend their time comfortably during hospitalization.
These activities not only support the mental and physical well-being of seniors, but can also help prevent dementia—we’ve gathered many ideas.
Please use this article as a reference to make hospital life more pleasant for the older adults in your care.
Have a comfortable hospital stay! Recommended pastimes for seniors (1–10)
Adult coloring book
When we hear “coloring,” we tend to picture something meant for children, but there are many challenging coloring books designed for adults as well.
Let’s take on adult coloring and aim for high-quality finished pieces.
The process of carefully applying color to intricate designs also helps train concentration and fine motor skills.
One of the big appeals of adult coloring is that you can enjoy not only the act of coloring but also the finished work itself.
It’s a fun way to develop dexterity, focus, and creativity.
Tulip bouquet
A bouquet of tulips made by combining felt, featuring a vibrant pink color and a soft, pleasant texture.
You create the tulips by gently rolling felt cut into petal shapes, and then arrange them together to complete the bouquet.
Because the rolling process involves fine work with tweezers, focus and precise finger movements are essential.
Put care into your color choices and how you combine the parts to aim for a three-dimensional, beautiful bouquet.
By concentrating on this detailed work, you may find it a meaningful way to spend your time.
Exercise using beanbags
This is an exercise that uses beanbags to enjoy moving your hands and arms.
By consciously focusing on the sensation of grasping objects, it can also lead to smoother everyday movements.
Start by rolling a beanbag with both hands to check the sensations in your palms, then move on to passing the beanbag from one hand to the other—simple steps.
A key point is where on your body you pass and receive the beanbag; pay close attention to which parts of your body are moving.
Throwing involves gentle, full-body motion, so by gradually increasing the difficulty, you’ll develop smoother movements and effectively strengthen your muscles.
Origami coaster
A hexagonal coaster made with origami is appealing not only because you can enjoy the crafting process, but also because it’s convenient to use right away.
By repeatedly forming triangles along the creases and tucking the folds, you create a sturdy coaster.
A single-color sheet gives a simple finish, but using printed origami paper makes for a more vibrant result, which is also recommended.
Also, choosing a rough-textured paper should help keep items from slipping, making it a practical coaster.
Fukumamori
This is a cute owl-themed protective charm.
Its big appeal is how easy it is to make—no sewing required, with simple steps that just combine felt and buttons.
Use a piece of felt with a cord sandwiched inside as the base, then attach parts like the eyes and wings.
Incorporating fabric with traditional Japanese patterns is also an important point to clearly emphasize that it’s an omamori charm.
While thinking up your own design, keep your fingers moving and complete your charm.
movie watching
Watching movies during a hospital stay is fun, isn’t it? Enjoying a favorite film can help both the mind and body relax.
Choosing a movie together with an older adult can also be a lovely moment.
Shorter films make it easier to stay focused.
Watching nostalgic classics might bring back old memories.
It also sounds enjoyable to chat with older adults while immersing yourselves in the world of film.
It could become a wonderful time that adds color and richness to everyday life.
Easy Exercise
When your daily life ends up centered around staying in bed, you have fewer chances to move your body, and many people may feel their muscles weakening.
Here is a set of exercises you can do on your back in bed to help prevent your body from getting sluggish.
Even small movements—like drawing your knees up or rolling your shoulders—can effectively loosen your body if you repeat them while focusing on the muscles.
If you feel pain, it can have the opposite effect, so it’s important to move only within a comfortable range.
Take your time, regulate your breathing, and gently move your body.