Do you have that hard-to-shop-for person in your family?
The following are gift ideas for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. You’re bound to find a gift your loved one will love, no matter the stage of the disease.
Gifts for Seniors with Alzheimer’s: Early Stage
- Family photo albums—These help to save memories and can lead to some interesting conversations.
- Day clock—The best clock will have a large LED display. This shows the current time, day of the week, date and AM/PM.
- Simple board game—Complex games will confuse a senior with Alzheimer’s or dementia. They also can be frustrating for you to explain. Keep your choice of games easier and familiar. Think of Snakes and Ladders, Checkers or Dominoes.
- Shoes with Velcro straps—You might think tying your shoes is easy. Seniors with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia can forget the steps involved and lack the finger dexterity required. Velcro straps on shoes can be easily tightened or loosened by caregivers and seniors.
- Bouquet of flowers—Fresh flowers can brighten up a senior’s long-term care center room.
- Back scrubbing brush—This makes baths or showers easier.
- Key bracelet—Tuck a set of keys inside the bracelet for safekeeping. Engrave the outside with your loved one’s name and your contact phone number.
- Drawings from grandchildren—Invite youngsters to draw, color or paint a picture. Display the pictures on a wall of your parent’s room.
Gifts for Seniors with Alzheimer’s: Mid Stage
- Coloring books—Holding crayons will help a senior maintain fine motor skills.
- Puzzles—Bigger puzzle pieces will be better for older hands to handle and manipulate.
- Automatic pill dispenser—Prescribed pills can be easily forgotten. A pill dispenser can help with medication management. Caregivers can load up a pill dispenser and set the alarm. When the alarm sounds, the senior will be reminded to take the pills.
- Medic Alert bracelet (or necklace)—This isn’t a fashionable accessory. Engrave the bracelet with a senior’s medical condition. In the case of an emergency, medical responders will know what to do.
- Concert tickets—Music can help you connect with your loved one. One year, I was struggling to find a Christmas present for my father. Dad’s Alzheimer’s was advancing and I couldn’t think of any appropriate gift. I decided to treat Dad to a Christmas concert, but had no idea of how he would respond. Judging by his broad smile while the music played, I had found a perfect gift for him.
- Bath soaps, lotions and fragrances—Dry skin is a problem for seniors. Choose a lotion in her favorite scent.
- Larger print books—Larger print can be much easier for older eyes to read. You can read and enjoy the stories together.
- Your company—I’ve recommended this before, but it bears repeating. It is a simple thing to do and can be very appreciated.
Gifts for Seniors with Alzheimer’s: Late Stage
- Weighted laptop pad—Place this pad on a senior’s lap to help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. These pads are portable. Bring the pad along to use in the car or while waiting in a doctor’s office.
- Watercolor kit—It can be difficult to communicate during late-stage dementia. Your loved one and others may not be able to express themselves with words, but they often can communicate well through art.
- Terry cloth bathrobe—These are warm and fuzzy and the perfect thing to slip into after bathing.
- Slippers—Look for a pair of slippers with non-slip soles.
- Blanket or duvet—As with a laptop pad, look for a heavier blanket. When covering the senior, this can be more calming.
- Small portable stereo—Insert a compact disc of nostalgic songs, and watch the reaction. Music is a powerful stimulant for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Include headphones so as not to disturb other residents or care home staff.
Call us if you need support caring for a loved one. Our trained caregivers can provide support to fit your schedule and provide you with peace of mind. We understand aging, and we can help your loved one age in a healthy manner.
Contact Amanda Butas, a certified dementia practitioner and your Mesa client care manager, at (480) 699-4899 to see how our caregivers can help your loved one thrive. You also can visit us at our office next to Bed Bath and Beyond, located on Power and McKellips roads, at 2031 N. Power Road, Suite 103.