Finding the perfect gift can be time-consuming and frustrating if you don’t make the right choice. The decision is even harder when it comes to the older adults in your life. If you’re looking for the perfect gift that your elder adult will use and enjoy, we’ve got you covered. Anything from keepsakes gifts, gifts that entertain, experiences, help reduce anxiety, clothing and blankets to help keep warm, gifts that make their daily life easier and perhaps even a technology gift that can entertain them is sure to be a hit. Here are some ideas for each category:
Keepsakes such as a custom photo album, calendar, photo blanket or photo puzzle are great ideas. Digital photo albums are also great which can easily rotate on a bedside table or shelf. For our elders who suffer from Alzheimer’s and/or Dementia, looking at the photos will help them reminisce.
Entertainment gifts are great also. Anything that can help sharpen their minds. Some examples are large print playing cards, puzzles, crossword searches, a cassette tape player so that they can listen to their favorite music and even a coloring book.
Experiences such as a gift certificate for their favorite restaurant, certificates for personal services like hair, manicure, pedicure or even a massage can help a loved one on limited budgets and setting a date to escort her (or him). Perhaps you live far away. That’s ok, you could arrange a treat for them with a special outing to a library, park, museum, etc. There are companies that you can hire to pick up your loved one and take them out. Many older adults enjoy experiences more than material things, so by gifting them something they’ll enjoy is you will be on the mark!
Anxiety Reducing gifts are especially our favorite. If your loved ones spend a lot of time in, sometimes this can cause frustration and irritability. Weighted blankets are the perfect solution and have been scientifically proven to relieve stress and anxiety. They’re especially helpful for people with dementia and wonderful for anyone who has trouble sleeping, feels anxious, or someone who just needs help feeling more relaxed. A heated throw blanket is also extremely useful for seniors. It will keep them warm and toasty and can even ease some aches and pains.
Clothing is never a bad idea. Specialized clothing makes life easier for someone with limited mobility or any other special needs. Adaptive shoes and slippers or compression socks can also be useful. Just be sure that their socks and slippers have safe non-skid soles.
Easier Life gifts for seniors is hands down the most practical and probably the most important gifts you could get them. Some ideas are motion lights for dark hallways, corners and closets. Cup holder for their wheelchair, walker caddy, foam seat cushion, electric toothbrush or electric shaver.
Technology is the way of the future, but some things can be a little too hard to figure out so be conscious of that when picking something out for your elder. An Amazon echo dot is a hands-free, voice-controlled device that plays music, gives weather reports, reads the news, answers questions, tells jokes, checks sports scores, reads audiobooks, and more. Jitterbug flip phones are easy to use and have large screens, big buttons, are hearing aid compatible.
It might be tempting to think that over the years our loved ones have acquired everything they need. They might even openly state that they’re not interested in any gifts. (In most cases, that is unlikely.) There’s a meaningful gift out there for everyone, and finding the right gift shows your loved ones how much they mean to you. Hopefully our list we’ve assembled of the best gifts for seniors out there this year is helpful, so you don’t have to worry about what to buy them.