15 Uplifting Activities for People with Limited Mobility
Limited mobility doesn't mean someone has to miss out on meaningful experiences. Whether a person spends most of their day in bed or seated in a chair, thoughtful one-to-one activities can bring comfort, joy and connection.
Many people living in long-term care have conditions such as dementia, stroke, Parkinson's disease or other illnesses that affect their mobility or communication. Activities don't have to be elaborate to make a difference. Sometimes, simply spending time together is enough.
The Greatest Gift You Can Give Someone is Your Time
The most meaningful gift you can give someone is your undivided attention.
Whether you're a family member, volunteer or care professional, taking time to chat, listen, read together or simply sit quietly lets someone know they are valued and remembered. Even a short visit can brighten their day.
Here are some one-to-one activities that can be adapted to suit each person's interests, abilities and preferences.
15 Uplifting Activities for People with Limited Mobility
1. Learn a Few Words in Their Language
Learning simple greetings in someone's first language is a thoughtful way to help them feel recognised and included. Even saying "hello" or "good morning" in their native language can bring a smile.
Related: Learning Opportunities for the Elderly in Long Term Care
2. Enjoy Brain Games
Large-print crosswords, word searches, Sudoku, riddles and trivia are excellent ways to stimulate the mind. Adapt the activity to suit the person's abilities, and remember that working on puzzles together is just as enjoyable as completing them independently.
Related: Collection of Riddles
3. Write a Letter or Read Poetry
Help residents write letters, cards or emails to family and friends, or read poetry, short stories, magazines or newspaper articles aloud. Even people who no longer communicate verbally often enjoy listening to familiar voices and stories.
Related: Poetry to Share
4. Spend Time Outdoors
Whenever possible, help residents enjoy fresh air and nature. Sitting in a garden, watching birds or simply feeling the warmth of the sun can improve mood and provide gentle sensory stimulation.
If going outside isn't possible, bring nature indoors with flowers, indoor plants or nature documentaries.
Related: Outdoor Activities
5. Enjoy the Company of Animals
Arrange visits from therapy animals where available, watch birds together, or care for a small bird or fish if appropriate and practical. Animal companionship can provide comfort, purpose and conversation.
Related: Pet Therapy Activities
6. Watch Favourite Movies and TV Shows
Choose classic films, documentaries, sporting events or television shows based on the person's interests. Watching together creates opportunities to reminisce, laugh and share memories.
Related: 100 Movie Recommendations for the Elderly
7. Offer Comfort Items
Simple comforts such as warm socks, soft blankets, sensory cushions, familiar photographs or favourite hand creams can help someone feel safe, relaxed and cared for.
Related: How to Make TwiddleMuffs
8. Provide Gentle Hand Care or Massage
With approval from the healthcare team, a gentle hand massage, moisturising dry skin or brushing someone's hair can be incredibly soothing. These quiet moments of connection can be especially meaningful for people who have limited verbal communication.
Related: Hand Massage & Nail Care
9. Share Favourite Foods
Food often brings back happy memories. Offer favourite treats when appropriate, celebrate birthdays with favourite desserts, or invite families to share traditional recipes that reflect the person's culture and life experiences.
Related: Cooking Activities
10. Encourage Gentle Movement
Simple seated exercises, balloon games, stretching, dancing with scarves or singing with actions can help maintain mobility while adding fun to the day. Every movement counts.
Related: Activities Incorporating Exercise
11. Enjoy a Pamper Session
Many people enjoy having their hair brushed, nails cared for, moisturiser applied, or a favourite perfume or aftershave used. Small acts of personal care can help people feel comfortable, confident and valued.
Related: Beauty Therapy Activity
12. Get Creative Together
Try colouring, painting, simple crafts, folding paper, making greeting cards or creating memory collages. If someone has difficulty speaking, they can still participate by choosing colours, pointing to pictures or simply enjoying the experience.
Related: Paper Planes Reminiscing Game
13. Stimulate the Senses
Textured fabrics, sensory blankets, familiar objects, scented herbs, wind chimes, mobiles or calming music can provide gentle sensory stimulation, particularly for people living with advanced dementia.
Related: Sensory Stimulation with Wind Chimes
14. Enjoy Personalised Music
Music has an incredible ability to lift mood, reduce anxiety and spark memories. Create playlists featuring favourite songs, music from their younger years or tunes that reflect their culture and life story. Even when conversation becomes difficult, music often remains meaningful.
Related: Music Activities for Seniors
15. Put Together Large Jigsaw Puzzles
Large-piece puzzles featuring flowers, animals, landscapes or familiar places provide gentle mental stimulation and encourage teamwork. If completing the puzzle is too challenging, simply sorting the pieces or talking about the picture can be just as enjoyable.
Remember
The best activity you can offer someone with limited mobility isn't found on this list - it's your time. Whether you're reading aloud, listening to music, enjoying the outdoors or simply sitting together in comfortable silence, your presence can provide comfort, connection and remind someone they are valued.
We'd Love to Hear Your Feedback
What activities have you found work well for people with limited mobility, particularly those with little or no verbal communication?
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what are the different activities that can be suggested to an elderly who is bedridden and have arthritis in fingers?
The person loves to talk but have dementia
Hi Mel
Talking is a great activity so let this person talk
Singing is also a great thing to do
If you want to be creative, then you can take a song and change it or add to it
One I’d like to do is if you’re happy and you know it and think of all the things you can do that start with every letter of the alphabet or just random things see how many he can remember which will help the memory
Our residents are very fond of an inflated dice, I call it ‘math dice’ they roll the dice twice, then they call out the answer, I write it down and the winner is announced after everyone has had a turn.
love that, will give it a go
Good idea, Bobbie
My husband has Alzheimer’s along with Adisons, diabetes, illeostomy, and small tumour, on his kidney, and is awaiting to have a cancer removed from his face. I am finding what I can do to give him a break from being continually in bed he sometimes sits in his chair but I would love the help to get him in his wheelchair carera s don’t have the time. If you know of any organisation that could help I would appreciate it as I do not want him in a nursing home.
Hi Marion
I am sure there a resources in your community
You could contact an elder care association Alzheimer’s Association
You could also think about hospice care
It’s not just for end of life but for those who need extra
Hospice will provide many resources for you
For us at Heartfelt if someone is mobile there is nothing like a bit of sunshine. A stroll in the garden.
We have a man coming back from hospital having broken his femur. Not possible to operate. Need every idea to keep a busy deaf man in bed for 2 to 3 weeks. the fishing pole with magnet sounded good. thanks,
These are a few suggestions that come to mind. I hope they are helpful.
For some people a Tablet may be ideal. Games, books to read, or Audio books, movies, puzzles, articles of interest, are available on them, often free. It may not be known that some people use to crochet. Inquire of family about this. I have crocheted for years, so maybe some of these people use to do that. You Tube has a lot of learn how to's on it Some may draw, sketch or doodle. Others may like to journal.
For those who may be in bed most of the time...open the curtains each day so they can see outside. Arrange their bed by the window if possible. Sunshine makes people feel happier. Bird watching is a fun thing to do, too. Get them a bird book for their state.
I have limited mobility myself. I try to find things I can do seated so much. I find that it can be creative coming up with new or interesting things to do. I'm not big on television watching. But Audio books are helpful.
Responding to blogs in comments are also a way to feel useful and helpful to others. It's the next best thing to visiting someone when you are limited in going anywhere.
Hi Donna
Thank you for all your helpful suggestions
I am bed bound and can only lay on my right side 22 hrs. a day. Can not sit up at all due to double sciaticas. What can I do for stimilation in this confined pisition? Thank you!
Hi Mary
I am also very sorry for your condition
Just out of curiosity are there any exercises you can do even if they are simple
I assume you have seen a therapist that has reevaluated your situation
Perhaps you can ask someone who cares for you about simple exercises
Also besides what Solange has suggested have you tried meditation
https://www.goldencarers.com/the-benefits-of-mindfulness-meditation-for-the-elderly/4809/
You probably will have to modify this activity to suit your needs but you get the jist of it
Are you able to talk on the phone even if you have to use the speaker feature??
I am sure you can get a conversation going with some friends and family
Are you able to use a smart phone because there are many games that are mind stimulating you can play that will help you pass the time
I hope this helps and I hope you keep a positive attitude because that is so important
Hi Mary, I am very sorry for your troubles. I hope you get better soon. Meanwhile, a media device propped up near your bed could stave off boredom. Also, you could 'travel' with Golden Carers in the "Armchair Travel' activity on a large TV. You could also have a positive and enthusiastic person to talk to, read you the news (good news!), or if you are an animal lover you could have a kitten to cuddle or a dog visiting you. I hope you find strength with each day; and that each day brings you closer to a full recovery. Sending love your way.
I bought a go fish game from Hobby Lobby. It has 2 fishing poles and fish with magnets. It helps with her coordination.
What a good idea Ellen thanks for sharing
me encanto, muchas gracias
Podríamos ser de ayuda
Yanina
So glad I found this! It's getting rough. She's bored and agitated. She always wants something, but can't ever tell me what when I ask. 83, multiple strokes, but she can still manage to get herself out of her diaper and out of bed with the rails up. Then she hollers because she's cold and can't go anywhere.
Trying the music, coloring books, and stuffed animal today.
Thanks so much for your feedback Elaura!
You could try activities that stimulate the senses like tray clothes that have different materials with various texture sewn on to them or materials that rustle. Use things like rain tubes. use cuddly toys or dolls [ cuddling a doll can bring out feelings of nurturing and purpose]. It is a bonafide therapy for people with dementia.
I thought yeah when I found this list for my Mom bed ridden at 76 from MS in a nursing home. Well dang it I've all ready done it all and more but she still refuses to participate in life unless she can do it like she did "For 40 years" which is no longer physically possible. Yikes I could just give up....
These are gr8 ideas but what about the bedbounds who can't talk? Apart from nailcare and massages is there anything else?
Hi Sarah,
There are a few good activities one on one; if you don’t have the time maybe a volunteer could help you. Here are a few suggestions that do not rely on speech:
- Read aloud for client (topics that interest him/her)
- Listen to Talking Books or music together
- Do a large print CROSSWORD together; answer the questions yourself but ask client if he agrees with you.
- Grooming hair and makeup
- Simple crafts: 'Hand of God' or unravel old wool sweaters
- Paint or colour a picture
- Plant seedlings together
- Make a poster together: client can point out where pictures go, choose and cut pictures
- Place client on a wheelchair and take them lunch/Church, Coffee drinking.
I go to a nursing home and all residents are in bed. It is very difficult to think of things to do with them, so thankyou for this x
At our facility we have started taking coloring books and template's to our residents that do not attend activity sessions and like to spend time a lone. They enjoy showing the staff and other residents the progress of their work. Our care staff have also shown interest in what the residents are doing and some wonderful conversations have started.
I like the idea of the mobiles, I purchase the picture mobiles that can hold 10 photos so the person in bed can see them hanging, as they can not see them on a bulletin board in the room. thank you for the ideas
Is there any suggestions for people confined to Princess chairs majority don't speak or don't interact but this can change from moment to moment I find manicures work well but I can't do this all the time and music is a obvious one.
Thankyou these ideas are great, I love "The golden Carers"
Lesley 27 Jan 2014
Thank you ! so much for the wonderful ideas and examples. I am so glad that I found this site.. It makes me feel as if I'm not the only person who has an uphill battle sometimes with various comments on how or what should be done for the residents. It is hard to do planning which I mostly do at home anyway and also the activitiy program, evaluations and reviews etc. in the time allocated. Congratulations to all the Lifestyle people out there we must feel proud of what we do as we are bringing some pleasure and laughter to our wonderful residents.!!!
I love this!!