2024 Holiday Gift Ideas
Do you need help with what to give your aging family members this holiday season? Do you need a unique gift idea? Perhaps your loved one has a physical or cognitive decline, and that gives you pause as to what they could use. We have some ideas for you.
(There is no paid sponsorship with these items or companies.)
For your techy relatives:
A digital photo frame. You can send photos to your loved one electronically, and they will be able to see new pictures as they are loaded onto the digital frame.
Kindle or other e-readers are available for your family members who like reading. Ensure they have a current library card and access their smartphone app. This is an easy way to get new books to read for free.
The Bird Buddy bird feeder with a camera uses an app that will alert your loved one to visitors to the feeder. It also uses AI to identify birds at the feeder.
The Amazon Echo Show can stream shows, music, and podcasts. You can also use this to display photos. Video calls can be made with those who also have an Alexa app or Echo device. This can also serve as a safety tool so you can check on your family member with the built-in camera.
Long-distance friendship lamps. With a quick touch of your lamp, your loved one will see that you are thinking of them, and they can do the same for you with their lamp.
For safety:
Toilet bowl lights light up the bowl when the bathroom is dark. We also recommend night lights around the home.
Professionally installed grab bars in their bathroom. We do not recommend the bars that have suction cups.
Ring or similar doorbell. Your loved one can know who is at their door, providing a measure of safety.
Non-slip slippers or slipper socks.
Grabber/reacher tool to help reach items on the floor or up high so there is no need to bend over or climb up, potentially becoming a fall risk.
Medical alert buttons. Think, “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!” If your loved one does have a fall or medical emergency, help is just one pushed button away.
For the shower: Hand-held shower and shower chair.
Entertainment:
Jigsaw puzzles.
Puzzle books like crosswords, word search, and sudoku. It is always good to exercise the brain.
Adult coloring books and colored pencils or paint-by-number kits.
Window bird feeders.
Automatic card shuffler.
Using a sofa armrest organizer that holds remote controls, books, tissues, and phones ensuring all are within reach.
Personal care:
As we age, often we have dry and itchy skin. Moisturizing and healing lotions are a great option.
Our aging loved ones can tend to be cold often, so look at getting a lap blanket (these are great for those in a wheelchair) or an electric throw blanket (Try to find one with an automatic shut off).
For those with arthritis, compression and heated hand massagers or hand exercise balls are good options.
Heating pad for neck and shoulders.
Memories:
A custom photo album/book, custom monthly or daily tear-off calendar (We like Shutterfly and socialprintstudio.com).
Recordable book from the grandchildren.
Keepsake box.
For those with dementia:
A dementia clock with a calendar is helpful to orient your loved one to day and time.
Stuffed animals or lifelike baby dolls.
Fidget gadgets.
RAZ memory cell phone. These special mobile phones can make it easier for your loved one to make a call, and you can manage their contacts as well.
Automatic medication dispenser IF there is someone who can fill and monitor the dispenser regularly.
Check out the Alzheimer’s Store (alzstore.com) for ideas for people at all stages of dementia.
Other ideas:
Magnifying glass.
Easy jar or bottle openers.
A caddy or tote can be added to walkers and rollators to carry items safely.
Monthly floral delivery.
Pre-made meal or meal-kit delivery like Blue Apron.
Vacuum robot.
Gift basket of fruit, snacks, or chocolate.
Bike pedal exerciser that can be used while sitting in a chair yet still provides movement.
We hope this has provided gift ideas for your older adult family members and friends.
We wish you a Happy Holiday season!