The adage is true, it’s the thought that counts, but if your intent to purchase meaningful gifts for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, there are a number of options to consider that are safe and useful at different stages of the disease’s progression. The following gift ideas for healthy seniors and seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia can make the holidays brighter for everyone!
Early Stages
- Board games, crossword puzzles and activity books are fun and help keep minds engaged
- DVD’s of old movies and classic television shows can help stimulate memories
- CD’s and music often prompt thoughts of loved ones and special moments from the past
- Memory phones can help by storing photos with contact information of family and friends
Middle Stages
- Erasable white boards can be used to diagram areas of the home or write helpful reminders
- Large-faced clocks that feature the date and time, because it will become increasingly more difficult for them to distinguish both
- Automatic or timer-set nightlights that come on when it gets dark
- Automatic medicine dispensers can help remind your loved one to take their meds, or prevent them from taking too much
- Crafts and other simple activities that engage the mind and prompt happy memories
Late Stages
- Soft bathrobes and blankets in a favorite color help stimulate the senses
- Comfortable clothing that is easy to put on and remove
- Dolls and stuffed animals can be comforting and reminiscent
- CD’s and music that feature songs from their childhood or teenage years
- A monitoring device that can track your loved one, should they wander or become easily confused or disoriented.
If your senior loved ones are healthy, but you are still perplexed as to what to get them, consider the following ideas:
- Direct Link® monitoring and medical alert system. This is something we offer through Home Helpers® that provides a safeguard for seniors in the event of a medical or security emergency. With Direct Link®, they have Help at the Touch of a Button™. Monitoring services and medical alert systems are literally life-savers for seniors striving to maintain their independence, recovering from injuries, or requiring in-home care.
- Non-medical in-home care. I’d be remiss if I did not offer our non-medical in-home care services, too. Home Helpers® is made up of a quality team of professional caregivers that can provide transportation assistance, run errands, prepare meals or any number of services that could benefit your senior loved one.
- Slippers or shoes with non-skid soles. These are excellent gifts for aging adults who shuffle their fee or use ambulatory supports to get around.
- Hand-crafted walking sticks or support devices. These can be used inside or outside of the home to help keep them steady on their feet and prevent falls.
- A weather alert radio. It’s mostly sunny in the Sunshine State, otherwise Snowbirds wouldn’t make their trek south to spend colder months. However, Tampa isn’t known as the Lightning Capital of the World for no reason! We do experience nasty storms and frigid temps from time-to-time, so you can’t be too careful when it comes to the elderly.
- Something to keep them warm. Sweaters, socks, electric blankets, fleece throws, gloves, scarves, homemade soups, tea selections, hot chocolate mixes, or flavored coffees., work very well for seniors with circulation issues. It can be incredibly warm outside, but seniors with certain health conditions and poor circulation may feel cold no matter how hot it is!
- Candy or sweet treats. Just as Grandma loved her chocolate covered cherries, many seniors enjoy dessert or something sweet…sometimes, even more than a healthy meal! Aways be careful of health concerns, like diabetes, though, when considering a gift of candy or confections.
- Gift cards and gift certificates! Although, you might think them impersonal, most seniors pinch their pennies due to their up-bringing or the fact they are on a fixed income. That being said, a gift card to their neighborhood grocery, their favorite restaurant, or department store where they shop, saves them that much money when they check-out, which is certain to bring a smile to their face.
- Pay their landscaping, cable, or internet or newspaper bill for a month. By taking care of one of their bills for a month, you are saving them money and giving them a very pleasant surprise. I know seniors who have skimped and saved in order to buy a few holiday gifts of their own, so paying a bill on their behalf is like a bonus to their bank account!
- Alexa or Facebook Portal systems, etc. If technology is something they have embraced and not ignored, like my Mom, consider one of these products to keep in touch with your aging loved ones! A phone call is great, but because we are visual creatures, seeing you is like you being there with them! To that end, maybe a lesson in Skype, Facetime or other tech-based platforms would make them happy!
- Quality time. It shouldn’t cost much but it can be invaluable to seniors. Spending time with senior friends and family members, especially if they live alone, is priceless! Share memories, reminisce over photo albums, play a board game or cards, work a puzzle, listen to music they enjoy, take a walk, go for a drive…anything like this will be treasured by your aging loved one.
- Family photos in nice frames or albums. Download some of your favorite, recent photos and print them to go in frames or an album so your senior loved one can see them. Plus, there are retailers who can apply images to blankets, puzzles and more, so there are lots of possibilities to explore.
- Ergonomically-designed gardening accessories. If your senior loved one likes to tinker in the garden, gloves, row markers, seed packets, and an outdoor tote to store them in are a terrific idea. If you’re crafty, you can even make your own row markers for that special touch!
- Hire a cleaning service. If grandma doesn’t get around very well anymore and chores are slow to get finished, hire someone to come and deep clean, or perhaps a cleaning service to come once every week or two to help out.
- A car wash & wax. If a senior you love drives, a car wash and wax is always a thoughtful gift. What senior doesn’t want to arrive in a nice clean, shiny car when running errands or attending church services?
Remember, it’s the thought that counts – even if your senior loved one’s thoughts are failing due to Alzheimer’s or dementia. I’m sure whatever gifts you choose will be warmly accepted and appreciated, because they came from you!
If Home Helpers® can help you or your special senior loved one by providing non-medical in-home care services, I am happy to schedule a FREE Consultation at your convenience to assess specific needs and find the perfect compassionate caregiver match. Call me today: (727) 240-3059
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have received the Home Care Pulse – Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award for 2017, 2018 & 2019. We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey, Hudson and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier℠
Happy Holidays from all of us at Home Helpers® Clearwater!
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