Gifts for Aging Seniors

It’s that time of year again – what on earth can family and friends put on Santa’s list for their seniors who have everything or perhaps live in long term care where space is limited? I vividly recall putting my Grandpa’s laundry away and finding unopened shirts and socks that were given to him for the past several Christmas seasons. With a little thought a usable gift can be given. Here are some ideas for you:

• 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
• 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
• Gift certificate for a favorite restaurant
• 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
• 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 limited range of motion
• Cane tip for winter snow and ice
• Hip protectors for those at risk of a hip fracture
• 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
• Automatic night lights
• For seniors with early stage dementia items such as magnetic white board for the fridge and Post-It notes to label cupboards and drawers
• Coupons for rides to the doctor, mall or community event
• A selection of greeting cards to have handy including birthday, anniversary and condolence cards – don’t forget a roll of stamps
• 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
• Adult coloring book and crayons – very popular and calming not to mention creative
• Gift card to the local coffee shop
• Tickets to an upcoming concert or play
• Non-breakable water bottle with 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 extremely slippery on tile floors so make sure your senior can manage the on/off process
• Calendar for upcoming year with family/friend birthdays, anniversaries and events noted
• Warm, cozy blanket
• Cell phone with large keys specifically for seniors, prepaid if you can manage it
• Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 shoes – at a retail price of $720 USD this gift is only for those with deep pockets but, as they say, if the shoe fits this may be an option for someone on your gift list with its adaptive shoelace technology originally designed for athletes but extremely useful for seniors with range of motion challenges
• New winter coat, scarf, hat or mittens
• 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
• Boot jack to aid with getting shoes and boots off
• One cup coffee or tea brewer
• Comfy new sweat pants or bathrobe
• For later stage dementia patients, a stuffed animal or doll to cuddle

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