Read this Art for Stress Reduction from a Non-Artist. I found it really interesting and hopeful as well. Art and Music Therapy seems to be two things we often forget and don’t seek out. This as well Music that inspires us There’s more here on music helping than art, both are very important, just do a search on music and scroll through them. I recall one of my Psych professors always had us listen to a specific classical composer before taking a test of his. I listened to him on my way to school which was a fair drive back then. It was amazing how much it helped the left hemisphere. He was using us as subjects and initially we took a test without listening, a few weeks later he started having us listen to the composer, who I don’t recall, everyone’s grades improved.
Maybe when he can hold a crayon, he can color with you. Remember every little thing helps and is a good thing. I recall decades ago working in a nursing home to put myself through college, there was a lovely woman who had an ischemic stroke. She couldn’t use her right arm at all. It was in a position that looked like she was wearing a sling. She also didn’t speak, though her eyes and body language communicated a boat load. She wore a watch, we of course, had to wind it every morning. With patience, time and encouragement, she learned to say “wind it”. Those two words brought tears to everyone. Her favorite thing to do was sit outside and hold her boyfriend’s hand. He was a wonderful man and he started helping her to regain her words. There were no ST’s, OT’s or PT’s in the facility so the RN’s and CNA’s did what they could
If you and your family members or any friends can visit at different times and different shifts, it can increase the quality of care he receives from the staff. Seems the more staff knows that family is involved, the more attention a patient can receive. Don’t forget to hug him, it increases our feel good reactions. There’s a plethora of articles on the internet on the importance of touch. Here’s but one https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_ways_hugs_are_good_for_your_health#