Being stuck in bed isn’t as easy as you might think. Whether as a result of surgery, chronic illness, severe injury, or old age, the inability to leave one’s bed can be both incredibly daunting and extremely frustrating. The good news is that there are many ways to help a bedridden friend or loved one.
It can be as simple as giving them the right gift — and with Christmas only a few months away, what better time to start shopping?
Bed Tray
This is by far one of the most practical gifts for a bedridden patient. Depending on the size and make of the tray, it can be used for anything from eating to arts and crafts to work and gaming. Some bed trays are even equipped with small drawers for pens and other items, meaning they can effectively be used as a miniature office space.
There’s also the safety aspect to consider. Laptops, if left on one’s legs for too long, can cause some pretty serious burns. With a bed tray, this is no longer an issue.
Bedside Caddy
Want to help your bedridden loved one reduce clutter in their space? Consider getting them a bedside caddy. These small organizers are perfect for storing things like magazines, books, handhelds, or anything else that they need to be immediately accessible. Better yet, a patient can use them without having to further clutter their space with extra furniture.
Coffee Mug Warmer
Does your loved one enjoy coffee or tea? A mug warmer could be the perfect gift, allowing them to keep their beverage at an optimal temperature for far longer. Some particularly fancy mug warmers even come equipped with a mobile app that allows you to set them at a certain temperature.
Hobby Kits
Arguably one of the worst things about being stuck in bed that it’s profoundly boring. You’ve nothing to do all day, and often no company except for your own thoughts. It’s enough to drive anyone mad.
The ability to flex one’s creative muscles is, as we mentioned in another piece, a highly-effective way of staying sharp and avoiding cabin fever. Here’s where hobby kits and craft kits come in. You can invest in a subscription service that sends a unique kit to your loved one each month — allowing them to learn a ton of different arts and crafts.
Alternatively, you can simply get them some art supplies for one of their existing hobbies.
Tablet
Streaming can only go so far, and using a cell phone for an extended period of time is a surefire way to wind up with hand cramps. Investing in a tablet for your loved one not only provides them with a ton of new games to play but also allows them to more easily video chat with friends and family. Bonus points if you can find one that runs the same operating system as their smartphone.
Care Package
You don’t need to go above and beyond with a gift for your bedridden loved one. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is to simply show that you care and that you know them. A basket filled with some of their favorite things is both thoughtful and heartwarming, particularly if it contains self-care items like dry shampoo, wipes, and lotion.
Smart Lighting/Appliances
For bed-bound individuals, smart home technology is heaven-sent. It allows them to control everything about their surroundings, from the lighting to the temperature and humidity, either with their voice or through a smartphone app. This, in turn, makes them slightly less reliant on their caretakers, while also giving them a greater sense of ownership and independence.
When you’re bedridden, these are often in especially short supply, especially if you need to rely heavily on your caretaker for things like personal hygiene. By allowing a bedbound patient to manage their immediate environment, you’re greatly increasing both their comfort level and overall emotional well-being.
A Better Bed
If your loved one is likely to remain bedridden for a long period of time, it’s worthwhile to invest in a better bed and mattress. Here’s where Transfer Master comes in. We offer a wide selection of automatic reclining beds and mattresses, as well as several bariatric and pressure relief options.
Our products can not only help prevent damage to the neck and spine but also reduce the risk of complications such as bedsores.
