Choosing Holiday Gifts for Alzheimer's Patients
Ten Christmas Presents for Those with Dementia and Aging Seniors
Sep 13, 2009
Holidays are special for everyone and it is important for aging seniors and those with diminished mental awareness to be remembered so they may enjoy these events. Friends and relatives can choose a gift that is sure to please by asking questions and observing the patient's needs.
The most important factor to consider is matching the gift to the current condition of the patient. Relatives and friends who have not seen the person in a long time may not realize that these conditions not only affect memory, but also can affect concentration. In early stages of dementia, for example, magazines with bright pictures and short books are welcome gifts. As these diseases progress, one’s interest in these activities lessens and these would not be useful.
One should always check with the caregiver or nursing home staff before purchasing any gift to ask about any special restrictions and rules for that particular facility. The health care provider can often recommend a specific gift based on the budgeted amount. Because they see the patient on a daily basis, they are equipped to know the types of gifts that are useful and often needed.
Ten Christmas Gifts to Consider for People with Diminished Mental Capacity or Alzheimer’s
- Stuffed animals make good gifts for many nursing home patients. It is important to choose those that can be laundered. A reindeer for Christmas, a stuffed turkey for Thanksgiving or a birthday bunny can help celebrate these special occasion
- Musical gifts, if encouraged by the facility, can provide pleasure for the family member. A small radio or CD player with soothing holiday CDs can often aid a patient in going to sleep. Check with the staff before buying. If they are not equipped to take the time to turn it off and on, the gift would be wasted.
- Laminated photo collages of past holidays can help keep memories alive. Laminate sheets can be bought at any office supply store and applied to the sheet of photos of family or friends. These will help the person keep in touch with the past.
- Holiday cards made by grandchildren that include a photo of the child are welcome gifts.
- Light-weight sweatshirts and sweatpants. Clothing that is easy to slip into makes the job of the staff much easier. For a special holiday an inexpensive Christmas or birthday shirt is a nice touch.
- Non-slip house shoes are good if the patient is allowed to wear them.
- A small television with DVD player can be a gift that the entire family buys together.
- Seasonal gifts like a small artificial Christmas tree with non-breakable ornaments or a tiny American Flag for Memorial Day add a nice touch to the room. Reusable seasonal gifts should only be given if arrangements can be made to remove the gift and store it for another season.
- A greeting card that can be personalized by recording a message. Hearing a familiar voice will give pleasure to persons with many stages of aging-related diseases.
- An electronic photo album keeps family and friends fresh in the patient's mind. Including scanned photos of the person's life in happier times can evoke pleasant memories. Current photos of children and grandchildren are nice additions.
Additional Information:
Gifts for Alzheimer's Patients
Gifts for the Elderly or Retired
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