The Best Gifts to Buy Elderly Relatives for Christmas
Christmas is fast approaching and if you are still not sure what to gift your elderly friend or relative.
We are also very keen on celebrating birthdays here at Wessex Care and like to go that extra mile, so this article may also be helpful when coming up with gift ideas for other occasions.
Deciding what to buy for an elderly relative, especially if they have dementia or Alzheimer’s, can be a little challenging. Of course, everyone is an individual and you’ll probably have a good idea of your loved one’s preferences but sometimes we all need a little inspiration.
Here we take a look at some gift ideas that are not only fun and engaging but practical as well.
A Personal Memories Book
For someone facing the challenge of memory problems, creating a scrapbook is a great gift idea and one that has important practical applications. It’s a brilliant way to get your loved one talking about the past, remembering important events and the people in their lives.
You can include things like photos, drawings and writings, and meaningful mementoes, in fact, anything that is likely to spark a conversation.
Music Tape
Similar to the memory scrapbook, a mixtape of your loved one’s favourite music is another option and easy to put together nowadays with the availability of digital downloads. Music plays an important part of in many people’s lives and can evoke a range of different memories as well as encourage a good old fashioned sing-a-long.
Digital Photo Frame
Another option is to buy a digital photo frame for your elderly relative. This is a great gift for someone who is living in a residential care home and doesn’t have much space. Digital photo frames can hold hundreds of images which are then presented in a slideshow. You can easily upload images via Wi-Fi and develop the slideshow as you come across new photos.
Scent Diffuser
Most people don’t realise that we use all five senses when we’re recalling things from the past. A scent diffuser can be used to relieve stress and even helps promote better sleep. It also has the potential to act as a trigger for the individual especially if they have a favourite smell that evokes past memories.
Memory and Brain Games
There are plenty of different memory and brain training games available nowadays. If your elderly loved one is reasonably tech-savvy and can use a mobile phone or tablet, you can download a variety of different games to help keep their brain active.
If that’s not the case, you can still find puzzles and other games, including adult colouring books, that can be used to support those with memory difficulties.
eReaders and Books
Reading can be difficult for some elderly relatives if they have problems with eyesight. The range of books with large print is limited nowadays. An eReader, however, means that every book is available and the font size can be increased so the individual can read more easily.
Experience Days
You don’t just have to focus on traditional gifts when you are thinking about what to buy an elderly relative. Experience days can be a brilliant way to get out and about. It might be something as simple as a day out at a spa or salon, a trip to a favourite location that holds some great memories or a day out with the family at a local event.
Buying a gift for an elderly relative with a condition such as dementia doesn’t have to be so difficult and a little bit of thought and planning can make a huge difference to their lives. If you are stuck for options, all these gift ideas combine practicality with a personal touch.
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