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Activity ideas for person with hemiparesis?


Posted: Dec 17, 2016

An elderly family member recently developed dominant-side paresis due to an inoperable brain mass. She was always healthy and active until this. She now has limited, assisted-only mobility, and arm neglect which hinders use of a walker or wheelchair. Does anyone know of one-handed household/functional activities we can have her do? She hates sitting around and doing nothing. It is heartbreaking to see her so frustrated. Tried having her fold laundry, but it did not go well; we will try again later. She has never used a computer, so online stuff is out. We have chosen hospice and so getting ideas from PT/OT is not an option as they are not approved by insurance (still trying to figure all of that out). Thank you for any suggestions. ;

things she can do - on her own

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm sorry for the bad news. My husband's brain cyst was operable. Does your family member like to read? That can still be done. If vision is a problem, can she learn to operate audiobooks? My husband didn't learn new things very well with his problem, so easy things were tough. If her vision is ok, she can read written words and watch movies/TV shows. Folding laundry may be a challenge because she used to do that with 2 arms/hands. It doesn't mean she can't learn to do it one-handed. Walking is another story, but I have an idea. Ever hear of a "knee walker"? It might be possible (with help) for her bad leg to be parked on the knee side of the walker and she might be able to push herself along with the good leg. She might need help with balance if she has no feeling on the bad side. If she can be mobile at all this way, it'll help with circulation and at least minimal independence or the feeling that she doesn't have to be carried. I hope she can learn ways to help herself. I hope you can help her.

Love your ideas and made me think of something else - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
If she can, indeed, read because the vision is okay, and if she has no speech problems, maybe it could be set up for her to volunteer to read books aloud for audio books. No matter what the challenge, I firmly believe when people can do something that is going to help someone else, that sense of purpose goes a long way and can be such a blessing to both the receiver AND the giver.

PT/OT Thing - see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
As to using her right arm for functional purposes, she can try and help you stir cold things (like, if you're making batter for cookies). At least she will feel she's doing something constructive. You can also give her a drawer that needs some organizing--like a junk drawer, or even a clothing drawer. Bring the junk drawer out to her, and let her try to organize it, or for the clothing drawer, she can pick items out to show you, and you can decide if it gets thrown out or stays.

Do you have any silk flower arrangements? You could have her noodle around with those giving them a face lift. If you don't have any, you could get some and let her make an arrangement. That is something a person can do with one arm.

I'm not clear, but I think what you're asking is why PT/OT is only giving you advice based on what her insurance will pay. That would be because of liability; if advice they gave you were to cause her harm, it would be a big problem.

I'm also wondering if she is not receiving PT/OT at all? That may be because once hospice is in, all non-hospice healthcare goes out.

Best of luck.

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