In hospital - what to do if you can't read?

[EllaSW]

Morning all. I have a good friend very unwell in hospital who I am visiting at the moment. She had eye surgery so cannot read and she is going through a very tough time. I would like to take her some things to keep her gently occupied but am struggling to think of ideas that are not magazines with small text or things you view on screens...does anyone have any advice based on their experiences pls?

Audio books via her phone with headphones.

Can she knit? Those thick knitting needles and wool might keep her occupied.

Could you sign her up to Audible on a trial contract? So many brilliant stories on there. Or find her some podcasts she'd like via Spotify or similar?

She may need to be able to see a screen for a few moments to make it work (on off, skip etc) though - is that realistic?

Xylophone?

Thank you all!!! She can look at a screen for a few mins so audio books and similar should work. Knitting isn't an option as her hand mobility is a bit limited.

Please keep the suggestions coming

Definitely audiobooks with some good noise-cancelling earphones.

Can she see at all or is does she have eyes bandaged/unfunctional/most comfortable if shut? I have terrible vision but can play some mobile phone games like eg Royal Kingdom (no ads thankfully) where the icons are big enough and distinct enough that I can play despite blurriness.

There are various interesting wooden-block puzzle games that you can do solo and don't require sight.

www.amazon.co.uk/Gigamic-GZFKA-Katamino-Gzfka-Game/dp/B075F3JQF6/ref=asc_df_B075F3JQF6/

Or

www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Challenges-Building-Montessori-Educational/dp/B0D821PP9R

Or

www.amazon.co.uk/Tangram-Classic-Handmade-SiamMandalay-Pictured/dp/B016UO17XS/ref=asc_df_B016UO17XS

When I had eye surgery I listed to music or Friends episodes without watching- I was familiar with the show and there's not much physical humour so it worked.

Radio 4 . Listen to on iplayer for book of the week etc . Great selection of stuff like from our own correspondent , to some of the comedy L

Maybe just a small (preset) pocket radio with big buttons and headphones that she can use easily if she feels like it and doesn’t have to faff with a screen-based device.

I was going to suggest audio books or podcasts. Hope your friend recovers well and swiftly.

Do you have mutual friends? You could get a few people to record messages or record themselves reading something for her to listen to. Pil did this for DC in pandemic, it was cute.

Or you could do her a lucky dip bag - wrap up silly little gifts she can open if she's a bit low. Bit like a Christmas stocking.

Download some podcasts for her. A mix of comedy, light current affairs, history or whatever interests her.

It’s easier to crochet than knit with limited hand mobility as I can confirm. Maybe get her a hook, some yarn and a book in teach yourself crochet, it’s honestly not that difficult.

Listen to Podcasts. Lots on Spotify and elsewhere.

Audiobooks or podcasts.
Your local library will have an audiobook app that she can access for free although it may not be as extensive as Audible.

Colouring books. Some adult ones are quite intricate, but other aren’t. maybe even consider a theme children’s one, which may have larger pictures.

Lovely hand cream, face cream, body butter might appeal.
What hobbies do they have? I love using my hands and would enjoy fiddling around with things like magnets to create satisfying shapes and structures.

There's loads of free audio books on YouTube. Quite a few Claire a Douglas ones which I've really been enjoying.

These aren't things to do but (I'm a nurse) some nice toiletries and snacks always go a long way. NHS toiletries are very basic, and don't really go past shower gel and shampoo

Rubik's cube

Thank you all for your kind replies