More gift ideas
Time is running out, with less than 8 weeks until Christmas Day, do you need help? Are you struggling to find gift ideas for an elderly person or someone with dementia? Are you near there but do you have other gift ideas?
What do you buy someone elderly who says they don’t need anything or who is decluttering? What would be a thoughtful gift for someone with dementia? I think this game “Call to Mind” is wonderful. Ideal for retirement homes and family homes too. It provides conversation prompts, so no more awkward silence! The video explains everything…
Scented plants or gifts.
Houseplants add a pop of color, and seasonal bouquets can make someone feel special. Ladies and gentlemen like to smell good and appreciate scents. The National Trust shops have a lovely range of locally made artisan soaps and perfumes.
Gardening vouchers, book tokens or a magazine subscription are great ideas for those who can take advantage of them.
Replace traditional walking sticks with fashionable, comfortable and safer Flexyfoot walking sticks on uneven or icy terrain. Available online and from selected retailers.
The promise of a meal out in the New Year is always a thoughtful gift, one to look forward to with good food in good company, always appreciated.
For a person with dementia.
For someone with dementia, a keepsake photo book, digital photo frame or photo cushion are thoughtful ideas. Soft blankets made into dementia blankets (sewing buttons, ribbons, zippers, bells and Velcro) provide comfort, warmth and relief for restless hands.
Coloring for adults is currently very popular and is considered both therapy and brain stimulation. For a person with dementia, Aqua Paints are pleasant and enriching, I had fun testing them!
Music makes the heart sing.
Music, music and more music! Buy an MP3 player and record all the music a person with dementia loves. I saw the magic of music for a person with dementia, from agitation to calm and tapping your foot in a few notes. Large earbuds are more comfortable and work better with hearing aids.
Soft pajamas are ideal for both men and women. They offer comfort and practicality to keep you warm in bed. For someone in a retirement home, you can never have too many!
Socks, glorious socks.
Socks! Who doesn’t appreciate a nice pair of socks? For anyone with swollen ankles, Cosyfeet sells socks that fit comfortably, wash well, and last. Slippers? Check your loved ones’ slippers. Do they still fit well? Loose slippers are one of the leading causes of falls in the home.
Unusual but practical gifts.
A high visibility vest for mobility scooter users, carbon monoxide monitors, smoke detectors and a GPS tracker for someone with dementia. These are really useful ideas. One of my favorites is the Kenwood One-Handed Electric Can Opener. They are safe and easy to use with one hand. A one-cup water kettle also makes brewing safer without having to lift heavy kettles of boiling water. are available from all major electricity retailers.
A trip to the local nail bar or a visit to a nail technician can brighten up anyone’s nails for the holidays, especially for women, but who knows? Choose something festive and fun, and don’t forget the glitter. Additionally, consider adding local beauty treatments, such as Skincare in Austin, Texas, to create a complete wellness experience this holiday season.
Prepare a Christmas meal for someone as a gift. I’ve been doing this with my husband, Paul, for five years, adding more and more people to our list. A delicious meal surpasses something prepared in the day and makes people feel cared for at a very lonely time of year for many.
This year, via social media platforms, we launched ‘Operation Christmas Dinner’ and managed to involve people across the UK. We’re all going to cook Christmas meals for the elderly people in our lives who wouldn’t have them any other way.
It’s not hard for most of us to do and there’s still time for you to join us. We cook on the 23rdapproximately and arrange in aluminum trays and deliver on the 24thth. For more information contact me here. It’s the best gift we give during the end-of-year holidays.