The Oldish 2019 Gift Guide

The older we get the more the things we treasure at Christmas are the things that can’t be purchased. The gathering of family, time with people we don’t often see and sharing of special family recipes. It’s also true that the older we get the less we need. For some who have downsized or moved into long term care there just isn’t room for many non-essentials. Each year The Oldish tries to bring a number of gift suggestions to our readers for those hard to buy for people on your list. Our suggestions may not be flashy but we guarantee that they are useful and practical. Let’s face it, any time someone takes the time to really think about what would enhance someone’s life and then wraps it up with a pretty bow, whatever is inside is a treasure.

This year, The Oldish Gift Guide has grown to 60 suggestions for you. Enjoy!

• Time… the number one thing seniors want is to spend time with you. Make a regular date but be sure to organize small gatherings throughout the holidays.
• Digital picture frame loaded with family pictures and holiday memories – be sure that it’s easily operated as complicated things can be terribly frustrating.
• 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. Don’t forget comfortable headphones.
• 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 favourite restaurant, groceries, movies, carpet cleaning, house cleaning service, or a gym membership.
• The Echo Show has a new skill rolling out called Alexa’s Show and Tell Skill that allows adults with diminished vision to hold an object up to Alexa’s camera lens and ask, “Alexa, what am I holding?” That small print on spice bottles is a thing of the past!
• Low vision playing cards.
• Playing cardholder.
• 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.
• For loved ones who are aging in place, consider pre-paying for services that some find challenging like winter snow removal, window washing, grass cutting, power washing the siding or getting the gardens in shape spring and fall.
• 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.
• 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.
• Portal TV from Facebook is a video calling device that allows a video call on the biggest screen in your house – your TV. It integrates with Amazon Alexa, allows people in different locations to join Facebook Watch parties and those in the know think that in the near future it will allow people in different locations to watch Amazon Prime shows together. Of course, with all the privacy issues Facebook has faced, you need to decide how much you trust it to be in your home and make sure to use the lens cover and audio off features. Balance that against Grandma being able to stay in touch with grandchildren while viewing them on a big screen and decide for yourself.
• 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 are useful provided you can commit to the gift. Getting people out and about to avoid social isolation is key to good health so this is a good one for those who depend on others to get out of the house.
• 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 or gas stoves.
• Slippers, shoes or boots with really good tread to replace the ones that have worn-down tread that are a slip and fall hazard. Hint: don’t forget to make sure the old ones get thrown out.
• Respite time to allow a caregiver to have some personal time away to get their hair done, go out to lunch with friends or just take a walk in the park. Commit to whatever you can give, put it on a coupon card and encourage the caregiver to make an appointment to use the coupon.
• An 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.
• Gift boxes are all the rage this year and it doesn’t matter what your gift recipient is into, there’s guaranteed to be a gift box that will make them happy. The Oldish has used this tea subscription service in Canada but if cheese, coffee, wine, socks, meat, candy, razors, underwear, cocktails, plants, eco-friendly cleaning supplies, ties, snacks or, well, you get the drift. There’s a smorgasbord of gift boxes available with deliveries varying from monthly to quarterly to annually so do your homework and match your recipient to the perfect gift.
• A selection of greeting cards to have handy including birthday, anniversary and condolence cards – don’t forget a roll of stamps. Go the extra mile and print off sheets of return address labels and, if you can get your hands on the recipient’s address book you can also consider pre-addressed peel and stick labels.
• 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 the cover.
• If you don’t have time to prepare homemade meal gifts, consider one of the many meal delivery services that have popped up. With everything premeasured and handy instructions included, this is a great gift for cooks who want a bit of a hand with the sous chef duties. The Food Network tested four popular services and you can check out their recommendations at this link. This is a gift the whole family can contribute to!
• 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. The Oldish tested Ring Pro and found it abundantly helpful for answering doorbells whether we were at home or away.
• Adult coloring book and crayons – very popular and calming not to mention creative.
• Gift cards 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.
• Audiobooks are useful in so many ways. They don’t strain the eyes, they can be listened to anywhere and they don’t take up physical space. As someone who is unable to throw a book in the garbage, my recent downsizing certainly gave me anxiety about how to deal with 15 boxes and two tubs of books. I ended up donating 11 boxes to a Rotary Club program and kept the rest which lightened my bookcases considerably, however I vowed to purchase more audio and digital books. Pick your recipient’s favourite service whether it’s iTunes, Audible, Kindle or something else and load them up on gift cards. Another thing the whole family can contribute to and keep going for other occasions like Mother’s Day or birthdays.
• Tickets to an upcoming concert or play. Don’t forget the pickup and drop off service!
• Non-breakable water bottle with an attachment for wheelchair/walker – the more colorful, the better but make sure the grip is good for the person who will be using it.
• Large button TV remote.
• Window bird feeders are sure to provide hours of pleasure. Make sure to include your own service of refilling the birdseed throughout the season!
• 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. The Oldish has tested the Nirvana weighted blanket and loved it! Outside of Canada use this link.
• 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 favourite chairs. Proper installation is a must so include that in the gift.
• Light therapy lamps are popular for people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or just feel a bit sluggish as they miss the summer sunshine. The Oldish has tested the Circadian Optics Lumos 2.0 Light Therapy Lamp after seeing it on Shark Tank – love it! – and it can be purchased through Amazon.
• 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.
• Non-slip socks are great for those who prefer to walk around the house shoeless or get up in the middle of the night and can never find their slippers.
• One cup coffee or tea brewer.
• Comfy new sweatpants or bathrobe. Consider sweatpants with built-in hip protection.
• 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.
• Homemade gift baskets are so personal and sweet. Fill them up with favourite candy, some silly socks, a few gift cards, a new t-shirt with a great saying or picture and maybe a few things from the list above. Spend as much or as little as you want for a basket that is the perfect size.