From A Place For Mom:
“Most Useful Gifts for Loved Ones
in Assisted Living”
Finding the most useful gifts for
your elderly loved ones to enjoy can be challenging. So, A Place for Mom has
put together a list of suggestions to help in your search. Read our list of
ideas to help you and your family give the perfect gifts this holiday season. Most
Useful Gifts for Loved Ones in Assisted Living Senior loved ones have received
a lifetime of gifts, but over the years, his or her needs may have changed.
Older adults in assisted living might be dealing with physical health issues,
memory loss and have needs for everyday items that wouldn’t normally come to
mind. If you’re looking for useful holiday gift ideas for seniors or for
elderly loved ones in assisted living, consider these suggestions from A Place
for Mom readers and partners: Reader Suggested Gift Ideas: A
Place for Mom readers have highly suggested that time is the most inexpensive
gift for your elderly loved ones, whether they are your parents or
grandparents. Enjoying a meal with or even having a simple conversation can be
the perfect gift on its own. Beyond that, consider the following simple ideas
for items you can either purchase or make for an older loved one:
Activity Books for Visiting
Grandchildren: Coloring books, crayons, markers, crossword puzzles, paper, and
other items for little ones can help make the visit with grandma or grandpa
more comfortable and fun. It’s also a good way to help little ones stay in one
place so that you can enjoy the visit too. You can also try finding activity
books with puzzles in them. That way, the activity can be enjoyed by both the
children and their elderly grandparents.
An iPod Loaded With Some Favorite
Music: An iPod is a great gift for the tech-savvy senior or just an elderly
adult who loves music. You might consider a speaker dock to go with the iPod so
that it’s more convenient for listening. That way, friends within the assisted
living community can enjoy the music with the senior.
A Photo Album or Scrapbook: Order
a custom photo book from a photo website, or have prints made of family and friends
and put together your own scrapbook. You could highlight a memorable family
gathering or pick your favorite pictures from the year. If your elderly loved
one likes to scrapbook, bring the supplies to the assisted living community,
and spend the afternoon making the book together. Photo albums are the perfect
present for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s since photographs allow
seniors to reminisce and find comfort in recognizing familiar people they love
and care about.1 Grandparents can then share those albums with the
grandchildren when they visit.
A Trip to a Favorite Place: You
may want to try some of these ideas for seniors who are more mobile. If the
senior has a favorite place to visit, such as a concert, movie, coffee shop,
library or museum, take them out to enjoy that fun spot. Make a plan to take
your loved one to his or her favorite place a couple of times throughout the
year. That promise can be part of the gift, as well.
Electronic Photo Frames: Put your
family’s photos in a digital frame that you load and set up for the senior.
This is another way to display photos for the older person with dementia. You
can offer to add or change the pictures with major events of the year, or plan
to purchase another frame next year with a new set of pictures. For a
subscription fee, you can view the models Consumer Reports recommends, or look
at customer ratings on sites like PCMag.com or Amazon.com. Shop around for the
best discounts available this time of year.
Gift Certificates for the Salon: Assisted
living facilities often have hair salons on the premises for older adults. Buy
a gift certificate for your elderly loved one or purchase beauty products such
as nail polish, brushes, combs and similar items. You can even have some fun
styling his or her hair in a way that your loved one likes. Additionally, going
out to your favorite salon for some special time will allow you both to enjoy
the services together.
Help Paying the Bills: Consider
putting money in the senior’s account to cover the cable or phone bill for a
month or two. Also, you can add extra money for extracurricular activities or
some shopping. Another easy option is to pair a gift card to the senior’s
favorite store. Attaching a greeting card with the gift card is a great way of
communicating your care for them.
Partner Suggested Gift Ideas
Calendars: Desk and wall
calendars come in a wide variety of designs, prices, and sizes. Generally,
calendars start at around $10. Purchase one at a store, or customize one on a
photo website so that those pictures of children, grandchildren, friends or a
past vacation are convenient for your elderly loved one to look at year-round.
There are even calendars designed specifically for helping older people with
dementia remember important events and daily activities.2
Cozy Bathrobes and Slippers: Older
loved ones can get very cold in the winter, so a robe and slippers are always
well-received. The starting cost for slippers is between $20 and $25. Keep in
mind the safety of the resident, and look for non-skid soles on the slippers.
Depending on where you shop, a plush robe can cost between $25 and $60. Sites
like Amazon offer a variety of prices and styles. If you have a particular
style in mind, you may spend more than that.
E-Readers: E-Readers are the
perfect gift for elderly loved ones that love to read. The readers come in a
variety of styles and weights while making it easy for an older adult to access
his or her favorite books wherever they go. The owner can enlarge the font size
and/or change the font styles to your loved ones liking. Load some of the
senior’s favorite books before wrapping the reader. Expect to spend at least
$80 for an Amazon Kindle, although prices increase from there, some stores
offer refurbished or older models for a discounted rate.
Fitness tools: Light weights,
stretch bands, and similar items can help seniors stay healthy and care for
their overall well-being while having fun. The Arthritis Foundation has a list
of easy-to-use exercise, hobby and home items for older adults with arthritis
or limited joint mobility.
Food Items: Make a homemade gift
basket of the senior’s favorite cookies, coffee, tea, candies, jams, crackers,
cheeses, meats or other snacks. A home-cooked meal is also a thoughtful gift.
Make enough so that you can sit and enjoy the meal with your loved one. You
might also prepare a larger gift basket or home-cooked dishes for the senior to
share with friends in the community.
Wireless Headphones: Enhance TV
viewing or everyday music listening with wireless headphones. You can even find
special models for an older adult who is hearing impaired. The headphones come
in a variety of colors, shapes, and styles. Pick the design that best suits
your elderly loved one. Prices start around $50.
^ This had some very good ideas
for the elderly in general as well as those that live in assisted living
facilities. ^
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