Gift Guide for Older Adults

Everyone wants to give useful gifts as we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays or even look ahead to Mother’s and Father’s Day but older adults can be challenging to buy for. They don’t need more stuff or perhaps live in long-term care where space is a premium. Budget is on the minds of many people as well. The Oldish publishes a gift guide each year specifically curated for older adults. We take some things off, add new things we find along the way and our readers make suggestions as well. We hope you find some inspiration in the 50 items listed below.

• Time… the number one thing seniors want is to spend time with you
• Puzzles– either jigsaw or crossword … both are available in larger sizes to save eye strain. For older adults who are Internet savvy online, multiplayer games like Mahjong or Scrabble are good for engagement and socialization.
• Digital picture frame loaded with family pictures and holiday memories – be sure that it’s easily operated as complicated things can be terribly frustrating
• Subscription to satellite radio – pre-program favorite music or talk stations as an added help
• Gift certificate: So much choice so here are some suggestions: a favorite restaurant, groceries, movies, carpet cleaning, house cleaning service, yard care or a gym membership
• Low vision playing cards
• Playing card holder
• Membership to senior’s exercise class – think Tai Chi, low impact water exercise, lawn bowling or senior group fitness
• Fidget aprons/lap blankets/pillows are made by many volunteer groups and are a terrific gift for anyone with moderate to advanced stages of dementia. Designed to stimulate the senses and occupy restless fingers various activities such as buttons, ribbons, buckles, pockets, colorful materials and more are sewn onto a base allowing multiple activities for the user. Buy from your local volunteer group – check out libraries and churches, there are many options on Etsy or search the Internet for inspiration and make your own
• Favorite music downloaded onto an iPod or CD – for a senior challenged by dementia, music from their youth and courting days can bring back beautiful memories
• Wander, safety or fall alarms with subscriptions, downloadable apps for caregivers and emergency notification systems
• Back scrubber for those with a limited range of motion
• Cane tip for winter snow and ice
• Hip protectors for those at risk of a hip fracture – call the toll free number for assistance in choosing the correct model and options
• Tablet with apps such as Skype/Facetime, Scrabble, Solitaire and email pre-loaded – don’t forget to teach them how to use the apps
• Subscription to a favorite magazine – check to see if they have a large print edition
• Automatic night lights We particularly like the Light Owl because of its versatility. It can be hung or placed on the floor plus users can control the intensity as well as the length of time it stays on.
• For seniors with early-stage dementia items such as a magnetic whiteboard for the fridge and Post-It notes to label cupboards and drawers
• Coupons for rides to the doctor, mall or community event
• FireAvert is a device that shuts power off to your stove when the smoke alarm sounds from food left unattended. Invented by a firefighter and featured on Shark Tank, the device is available for electric stoves and pre-orders are being taken for the January 2019 delivery of a gas stove model.
• Slippers, shoes or boots with really good tread to replace the ones that have worn-down tread that are a slip and fall hazard
• Account with the local taxi company with pre-paid rides – This is a gift the whole family can contribute to for a senior aging in place who no longer drives. The account can be added to for birthdays, Mother’s/Father’s Day, Easter or any occasion.
• Squatty Potty was invented to help people poop from a more natural position. It isn’t uncommon for older adults to become constipated due to inactivity so a little help may be in order. Available in original white plastic as well as bamboo, teak and a model called Moonlight that features a motion activated light.
• A selection of greeting cards to have handy including birthday, anniversary and condolence cards – don’t forget a roll of stamps
• Easy Daysies is a task scheduling system for older adults aging in place who need support to continue living independently. Task stickers that fit on magnets remind them to eat, take medication, have a shower, turn the stove off or call someone to check in.
• Frozen single serving meals with warming instructions written or taped to covering
• An early gift of a plate of Christmas goodies to offer holiday visitors – a package of refills would be nice to include
• Ring Doorbells to allow seniors to answer the door without rushing or perhaps identify door to door salespeople they don’t want to deal with – be sure to get the Ring Pro which is the wired option for use in cold climates
• Adult coloring book and crayons – very popular and calming not to mention creative
• Gift card to the local coffee shop for those daily coffee klatches
• Car handles come in several varieties including handles that slip into the car door latch or are attached to the top of the car window frame and are intended to give extra support to seniors upon entering or exiting a car. Brands like CarCaddie, Stander or Emson Car Cane can be found in stores and online.
• Tickets to an upcoming concert or play
• Non-breakable water bottle with an attachment for wheelchair/walker – the more colorful, the better
• Large button TV remote or telephone
• Yak Trax attachments for boots – but beware, these must be taken off to walk indoors as they are too slippery for use on tile floors so make sure your senior can manage the on/off process
• Calendar for the upcoming year with family/friend birthdays, anniversaries and events noted
• Warm, cozy blanket and for those who need calming due to anxiety, consider a weighted blanket
• Cell phone with large keys specifically for seniors, prepaid if you can manage it
• New winter coat, scarf, hat or mittens
• A memory journal is a great gift for the whole family! Several are available through booksellers but most feature guided questions that help aging seniors remember stories and life events from days gone by. Over time questions can be asked and journaled as they are answered providing a keepsake that details family history.
• Chore calendar: for seniors who are aging in place some of the most difficult tasks because of low vision, inability to smell or challenges with getting around are things like house cleaning, food shopping, laundry, yard work and getting to appointments so if you have a few family members living close by, make a calendar assigning rotating duties to each member … don’t forget to add changing batteries in things like smoke detectors and remote controls
• Grab bars installed in bathrooms, along hallways or by the bed or favorite chairs
• Medication organizer 
• Garden kneeler Many are reversible, meaning that in an upright position they are seating platforms while turned over they are kneelers with bars to aid in getting up and down
• Long Shoehorn to aid with getting shoes and boots on
• One cup coffee or tea brewer
• Comfy new sweatpants or bathrobe
• For later stage dementia patients, a stuffed animal or doll to cuddle
• Nordic Walking Poles for active seniors who enjoy fitness walks
• Google Home or Amazon Echo home assistants for older adults who would enjoy a hand with tasks such as turning lights on or off, using voice commands to make phone calls or play music. Make sure to secure their privacy with a password.