19 Effective Exercises for Bedridden Patients

For bedridden patients or patients on bed rest temporarily, following a light exercise program every day has multiple benefits, including improved muscle strength, range of motion, and blood flow. Regular activity may even help to prevent bedsores. 

An exercise program can consist of active mobilization exercises that are performed independently and passive mobilization exercises that are performed by a caregiver. Exercises can be performed five times each, in any order, and increased gradually as the patient is able.

Head and Neck Exercises

These simple exercises can be done easily in a home or home rental hospital bed and require only a minimum of effort—making them a great place to start. 

1. Head Turns

Sitting up or lying flat, turn your head to one side until you feel a slight stretch. Repeat on the other side.

2. Chin to Chest

Lower your chin until it touches your chest and you feel a slight stretch in the back of your neck. Return your head to the starting position and repeat.

3. Head Tilt

Tilt your head sideways toward your shoulder. You should feel a stretch on the other side of your neck. Repeat on the other side.

4. Head Rotation

Sitting up, slowly roll your head 360° one way, shrugging your shoulders for the back part of the rotation to prevent neck injury. Repeat the exercise in the other direction.

Finger, Hand, Arm & Shoulder Exercises

Finger, hand, arm, and shoulder exercises can help bed-bound patients maintain muscle strength, helping with activities like eating, drinking, combing hair, and brushing teeth. 

5. Finger Bends

Curl your fingers into a fist, then straighten them again with a slight stretch. Repeat several times.

6. Finger Spreads

Touch your thumb and index finger together, then separate them as far apart as you can. Repeat for each set of adjacent fingers.

7. Palm Stretches

Stretch out your fingers as far as you can and hold for a few seconds. Repeat several times.

8. Thumb Touches

Touch each finger to your thumb from the index to the pinky and back again.

9. Wrist Rotation

Rotate the hands in one direction several times. Repeat in the other direction. 

10. Arm Lifts

Keeping your left arm straight and palm facing down, lift it up to the ceiling and lower it again. Repeat with the right arm. You can lift one arm at a time or both arms together. 

Arm lift options: This exercise can be performed laterally (with your arms starting on the side) or forward (with your arms starting in front of your body) and can be done lying flat or sitting up.

11. Shoulder Shrug

Raise your shoulders up toward your ears and lower them again. Repeat several times.

12. Tricep Stretch

Sitting up, raise your elbow up to your head, place your forearm and hand behind your head, and reach down toward the upper back. Hold for a few seconds. This exercise stretches the tricep and maintains (or improves) the range of motion in the shoulder.

Toe, Foot, Ankle, Leg, and Hip Exercises

These exercises help maintain strength and mobility in the lower body, which is especially important for standing and walking. They’re great for patients who get around with the help of a mobility aid for walking—like the ones we stock in our Denver showroom. If it's not possible to perform a large leg movement alone, ask a caregiver to help.

13. Toe Bends

Curl your toes, then stretch them out straight. Repeat several times.

14. Ankle Flexes

Stretch your ankle until your toes point out to the wall. Then flex the ankle until your toes point to the ceiling. Repeat several times.

15. Ankle Rotations

Rotate your foot in one direction several times, then repeat in the other direction. Repeat on the other foot.

16. Heel Slides

One leg at a time, slide your heel towards your buttocks, bending at the knee. Slide the heel back until your leg is flat on the bed.

17. Leg Rotation

Rotate one leg outwards, then inwards toward the other leg. Repeat several times on both sides. You can also bend one knee at a time and rotate outwards from the hip before returning to the starting position. This is a great exercise for your hips.

18 Leg Lifts

Lift one leg up as high as you can and lower it slowly back down to the bed. Repeat on the other leg. After this exercise, perform a hamstring stretch by raising (or having a caregiver raise) your foot until you feel a stretch in the back of your leg. Hold for a few seconds and repeat on the other leg.

Whole Body Exercises

Whole body exercises for bedridden patients are fairly limited but can still help to promote blood flow and reduce the likelihood of pressure ulcers forming.

19. Side Rolls

Roll your entire body to one side, then to the other side. This exercise should feel good and doesn't require a lot of strength. When lying in bed, remember to change sides every couple of hours throughout the day (and night) to prevent bedsores. This is a good chance to get in a few side rolls and do a few other exercises, too.

Important Safety Notice

Before beginning a new exercise program, consult with a doctor or therapist to see which of these exercises are suitable. Not all exercises are suitable for all patients. 

If the patient hasn’t done any exercise for some time and experiences sudden pain (with or without swelling) while exercising, this may be a sign of blood clots. Notify a medical professional immediately or take the patient to the emergency room.

An Active Bed Rest Makes for a Better Recovery (or Slower Decline)

There is a lot that a bedridden patient can do while on bed rest either temporarily or permanently to stimulate blood flow, strength, and wellbeing. 

After discussing exercises for bedridden patients with the relevant medical professional, stay active or encourage your loved one to stay active for a healthier and happier resting period.