Entertainment ideas - limited physical ability

[FabuIous]

My mum had a stroke two years ago which has left her unable to use her left side or sit completely upright. She does enjoy doing things. Anything. But I’m a bit stuck for ideas.
She’s in a care home.
We obv talk and look at photos. We do a little quiz. I was thinking about other games. Maybe she can manage pelmonism (pairs) as she doesn’t need to hold the cards.
And then craft ideas. I am going to try some adult colouring, but don’t know if that will work. She enjoys making things and sticking things but is very very limited to what she can manage. I’d rather find something she can do mostly on her own if possible, just so it’s not so sad for her. I am going to look for some more books that are small and have photos in as she can manage those.

Any ideas of craft or other ideas in general?

Gin rummy card game? Very simple

easy crosswords?

Solitaire?

I don’t think she can manage either of those with just one hand. That’s the issue. Thanks though! It’s hard to think around it.

iPad solitaire? Care workers could set it up for her

Is a tablet a possibility? We use them for children with physical mobility issues as they can work them one handed. You can add card games, jigsaws, colouring etc

To add, you can get clamps that would hold the tablet so she doesn't have to try to hold it and use it

You can get wooden racks that hold your cards, then she would only need the one to grab and put it down - that could open up a lot of card games. Also board games like scrabble, although may be easier using a screen

Solitaire (not the card game, the one with marbles like this) ?
Wooden Solitaire | Wooden Solitaire Game with Marbles – Jaques of London
or similarly if you want something to play with her .Chinese Checkers.

That is on my list to buy my DD thank you!

Thank you - great ideas.

we actually have a wooden solitaire so I brought that in yesterday. She also does have an iPad so I’ve found a good card solitaire app and it seems good. She does have an iPad stand so we will see how that goes.

Does she like solving things? Happy Puzzle Company do a whole range of one player games. We got some for MIL during lockdown.
Does she have a Kindle? You can get a remote device for turning a page.

Kindle app on her iPad for reading
Library app for magazines?

We have this game which is good and can be a challenge, could def do with one arm https://whirligigtoys.co.uk/products/colour-code-logic-game

and this one which can be done as a one or 2 person

https://amzn.eu/d/00SUcaC8

good luck!

Large piece jigsaws?

There is such a thing as one-handed knitting with a specialised aid - might she get into that?

Could she water and dead-head plants?

Could you turn the photos into a job rather than something you look at together? Take in a box of old ones she can name: who's in them, where it was, roughly when. You write it on the back or in a notebook while she talks. It's something only she can do, the family genuinely needs it done, and it doesn't feel like being kept busy. It works one-handed too, since the photos can sit flat on her table or on the iPad stand.

Same idea with music. A playlist of what was on the radio when she was courting, or when you were small, and ask her what each one brings back. The iPad will play it, and it gives the two of you something to talk about that isn't the care home.