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Days can drag in hospital – and succumbing to boredom really isn’t the fastest road to recovery. What patients need, just as soon as they are able, is to keep their minds occupied. The more engaged they are, the quicker they will recuperate. It’s a question of mind over matter. All too often as I walk through hospital wards, I see patients lying in bed with absolutely nothing to do. Of course some of them will unfortunately be too poorly to do anything. But for those that are up to it, getting involved in something to occupy their minds is the closest thing available to a panacea. As friends and relatives of people in hospital, we can help a lot by taking or sending them gifts designed to keep their minds engaged. For example, puzzles, writing sets, cross stitch kits. The A Friend in Need website (http://www.afriendinneed.co.ukuk) has a lot of good ideas for suitable presents, or if you know the patient well you can buy them something that will suit their particular interests.
Advances in medical treatment and the demand for beds mean that patients are spending less time in hospital than they did in the past. In many cases the whole recovery process is also quicker, but many people still face a lengthy period of convalescence at home before their lives can return to normal.
We are all accustomed to the idea of taking or sending suitable gifts to friends and relatives while they are in hospital, but few of us think about the longer period of boredom and inactivity during convalescence. And yet it’s probably at this stage that most people need more to keep their minds occupied and help them recuperate.
The kind of gifts convalescents need changes once they leave hospital. Back in a hospital ward cuddly toys, toiletries and silk flowers may have been the most appropriate thing. But once the patient is home many more possibilities open up. Puzzles and games keep the patients alert and can help redevelop skills the patient may temporarily have lost. This is a time too to rekindle creative and artistic interests, and there are many gifts that cater for drawing, painting, embroidery and so on.
Convalescence can be a valuable period in life when things can be achieved that we otherwise wouldn’t have time for. And we can help people we know who are in this position by sending them gifts that will encourage them to use the time wisely.
One of the worst things about being in hospital – apart from the fact you’re ill! – is that lying in bed all day can be very boring. OK, there are meals, and wash time, and visitors, and you may even be treated to some physiotherapy, but there are still many long hours when there’s absolutely nothing to do.
If you’re really ill, that’s fine – I guess you need the rest. But when you start to recover, your brain starts getting more active and you long to have something to do.
What’s more, to compound the problem, you can’t exactly pop down the shops to buy something you might find interesting. So in most cases you’re dependent on friends and relations being thoughtful enough to bring you or send you something to while away the time.
Some of the best ways of keeping yourself occupied in a hospital bed – apart from the obvious books and magazines – are puzzles, small games and also writing materials so you can keep in touch with the outside world.
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