Are you searching for that perfect gift that your elderly family member will use and love, Quality Family Care has a few suggestions for you. Below we have listed some amazing gift ideas, ranging from products for more independent older adults to gifts for the elderly with dementia, or any other special needs they may have. The following ideas are very helpful and can improve your senior family members quality of life. There is something for everyone below. Perfect for the upcoming holidays!
Gifts that Help Encourage Family Memories
1. Custom photo album
Showcase special photos or events so your older adult can reminisce anytime.
For those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you could also create a custom book they’ll love to read by adding simple text to photos or images they enjoy.
- Walmart – from $8
- Mixbook – from $16
- Shutterfly – from $16
2. Custom photo calendar
Help your older adult keep track of days, months, and appointments while seeing smiling family faces.
- Walmart – from $10
- Mixbook – from $25
- Shutterfly – from $25
3. Custom photo blanket
Keep your older adult warm and cozy with familiar faces all around. These blankets are especially nice for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
- Walmart – from $45
- Shutterfly – from $60
4. Custom photo puzzle
Use family photos or pictures of places with special meaning to create a fun puzzle your older adult can put together again and again.
- Walmart – from $12, comes with custom gift box
- Shutterfly – $30, variety of photo layouts
- Portrait Puzzles – from $35, comes in variety of sizes & number of pieces
5. $45 TENKER PF0070 HD Digital Photo Frame
A digital photo frame is a wonderful way for older adults to easily view family photos. An automatic slideshow can scroll through all their favorites.
We like this photo frame because it also has a calendar and clock function.
Note: You’ll need a separate (and inexpensive) USB stick flash drive or SD memory cardto hold the digital photos for this frame.
Gifts that are Entertaining and Engaging
1. Favorite songs and albums
- Add to a music lover’s song collection or bring old favorites back into your older adult’s life
- Get the top music picks for every age group from 65 to 90+ on Spotify, Pandora, or Amazon Music.
2. $62 Music player boombox with CD, cassette tape, and AM/FM radio
- A simple portable boombox is a great way for your older adult’s to enjoy music or news
- Plays cassette tapes!
- Pro tip: To simplify the controls, put colored stickers on important buttons like Play and Stop
3. From $4 Beautiful coloring books – These coloring books have beautiful, frame-worthy images and can provide hours of relaxing fun.
4. Jigsaw puzzles
- Puzzles are a fun activity and a great way to exercise the brain
- Get options for older adults of all activity levels, even for those with cognitive or vision challenges
5. Large-print or jumbo playing cards – Use these easy-to-see cards to play a variety of fun card games.
Amazing Experiences For Seniors
Many older adults enjoy experiences more than material things. Consider giving a gift certificate for something they’ll enjoy or taking them out for a meal or activity.
1. Gift certificate for a favorite restaurant – They can enjoy a wonderful meal from you, or if you’re in the area, set a date where you’ll go out for a special meal together.
2. Gift certificate for personal services like hair styling, manicure, pedicure, or massage
- If you’re in the area, set a date where you’ll accompany them to their appointment
- Some spas even offer special geriatric massage!
3. SilverRide door-through-door assisted ride service
- Offers a variety of services – regular transportation, accompanied activities, medical pickups, etc.
- If you live far away, you could gift a special outing to a favorite museum, library, park, or anywhere! A companion will take them there and accompany them during the activity.
Gifts to reduce anxiety and promote calm and relaxation
1. Weighted blankets
Weighted blankets have been scientifically proven to relieve distress and anxiety.
They’re especially helpful for people with dementia and also great for anyone who has trouble sleeping, feels anxious, or would just enjoy feeling more relaxed (including you!)
Here are a few options:
- $73 YnM Weighted Blanket – 15 lbs, 48 x 72 inches
- $88 Sivio Weighted Blanket – 20 lbs, 60 x 80 inches
- $95 Good Knight Weighted Blanket – 20 lbs, 60 x 80 inches
2. $40 Heated throw blanket – A heated blanket keeps seniors toasty warm and eases aches and pains.
3. $31 Heavyweight wheelchair lap blanket – This cozy blanket keeps knees warm and conveniently attaches to the wheelchair.
Clothing and Footwear
1. Adaptive clothing
Specialized clothing makes life easier for someone with arthritis, limited mobility, incontinence, or other special needs. Here are some of our favorite options:
- Stylish adaptive clothes – perfect for elderly family members
- Alium – a new brand with innovative and comfortable adaptive clothing
- Adaptive shoes & slippers – great for people with gout, diabetes, edema, and other special foot care needs.
2. From $14 House slippers for women and men – These slippers have safe non-skid soles and are adjustable, breathable, and comfortable for wearing around the house.
3. $25 Sockwell Women’s Graduated Compression Socks – Compression socks improve circulation and reduce swelling from conditions like congestive heart failure. These have the added bonus of being fun and stylish!
Gifts for Easy Daily Life, Healthy Lifestyle and Wellbeing
1. $13 AMIR motion-activated stick anywhere LED lights (3 pack) – These are great for automatically lighting dark corners, closets, or cabinets. They reduce fall risk by illuminating places where you aren’t able to add a lamp.
2. $16 Cup holder for rollator or wheelchair – Help your older adult stay hydrated by making it easy to keep their cup or water bottle within reach.
3. $17 Walker caddy / tote bag – A stylish and convenient way to carry essentials while using a walker, available in 3 colors/patterns.
4. $29 Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch Can Opener – There’s no need to struggle with a manual can opener any longer! This automatic one doesn’t require any finger or hand strength.
5. $33 ComfiLife Gel & Memory Foam Seat Cushion – This gel and memory foam cushion makes it more comfortable to sit for long periods of time and reduces the risk of pressure sores.
6. $35 Hamilton Beach Automatic Jar Opener – Open any jar without needing a strong grip.
7. $40 Oral-B Black Pro 1000 Electric Toothbrush – Make brushing easier to improve dental health, eliminates strain on hands, wrists, and arms.
8. $50 Philips Norelco Electric Shaver 3100 – Get a comfortable, safe, and clean shave anywhere with a high-quality cordless rechargeable electric shaver.
Mobility, Movement, and Transporting Gift Ideas
1. $5 Walker ski glides – This great stocking stuffer makes it easier to use a walker, no more catching back legs on carpet.
2. $25 HandyBar Auto Standing Aid – This simple tool helps seniors get into and out of the car with ease.
3. $27 Hugo Mobility Quadpod Offset Cane – This cane increases stability and reduces fall risk, plus it’s one that’s recommended by physical therapists.
4. $55 Drive Medical 4 wheel rollator walker– This rollator walker is easy to maneuver, lightweight, and has a handy seat and backrest for rest breaks.
5. $159 “No-install” grab bar and pole – This sturdy tension pole can be installed anywhere to give extra help when getting up from the couch, recliner, or toilet.
6. Lyft or Uber gift card – On-demand rides are a convenient way for older adults to get to medical appointments, run errands, and visit family and friends.
7. GoGoGrandparent gift card – This is another wonderful on-demand ride service that’s perfect for seniors who don’t use smartphones. No mobile apps are needed and a live person is always available to help.
Technology Gifts that Help Seniors Stay Connected and Entertained
1. From $14/month Celery 2-way computerless email system – This low-tech system lets seniors keep in touch through email without having to own or use a computer.
2. From $50 + service GreatCall Lively mobile medical alert device – Having 5Star Urgent Response on a mobile device means older adults can get help anywhere, not just inside the house.
3. $50 Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Generation) – This hands-free, voice-controlled device plays music, gives weather reports, reads the news, answers questions, tells jokes, checks sports scores, reads audiobooks, and more.
4. $100 Amazon Echo (2nd Generation) – The “big sibling” to the Echo Dot, it does everything the Dot does, but has bigger and better speakers and comes in a variety of beautiful colors and finishes.
5. From $100 + service GreatCall Jitterbug Flip and Smart2 mobile phones – These easy to use phones have 5Star Urgent Response and additional safety features.
6. $200 + service GrandPad tablet – This simple tablet is perfect for seniors who are ready to start video chatting and sharing memories with family and friends around the world.
7. From $349 + service Claris Companion tablet – Seniors can enjoy photos, video chat, and Internet browsing on a simplified tablet (the average user age is 86). You can also supply your own Android tablet and buy the service only for $29/month.
8. From $899 Telikin Computer – These computers are created to be the easiest and most intuitive user experience possible. They’re simplified, but have all the benefits of a full computer. And tech support programs are available to help with any issues.
When In Home Care is Needed
If you or a loved one needs in-home assistance, contact our family here at Quality Family Care. Our care-giving specialists are standing by with tip and advise to help you take the next step. It’s not easy asking for help, but you deserve the peace of mind that our team can provide. Also check out our blog section at www.QualityFamilyCare.com with all the information you need to help keep your family safe and secure during this transition. Call us toll-free at 877-513-7156 to speak with a specialist. You are not alone.
