Many beloved seniors in our lives have lots of stuff. After all, they’ve had years and years to accumulate knickknacks and decorations. Rather than gifting them another tchotchke, what our Golden Girls and Golden Guys would greatly appreciate are items that will make their lives easier, safer, healthier, and more enjoyable.
Here at Amada Senior Care, our goal each and every day is to help enrich lives, so creating a gift-giving guide with this in mind is right in our wheelhouse. For your consideration, here are 10 gift ideas aimed at supporting physical, mental health and emotional health along with promoting peace of mind. Keep these suggestions in mind for giving a gift to a senior on another occasion such as a birthday or anniversary—or just because.
Portable CD/Cassette Music Player
A classic boombox with modern wireless technology lets older adults enjoy their treasured music collection of CDs and cassettes. The Sony NeeGo includes a wireless bluetooth receiver that connects to streaming services, making it an up-to-date tech device as well. The compact size and battery power ensures this boombox is portable like “back in the day.” Research shows that music can help seniors with dementia better manage symptoms like anxiety and depression, and activate areas of the brain that are undamaged by dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Emergency Medical Alert System and Fall Detection
Why chance a senior loved one suffering after falling when alone in the home? Emergency help can be on the way immediately with Amada Connect. With 24/7 monitoring (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), the user-friendly devices powered by AmadaConnect’s personal emergency response system (PERS) ensures you or a senior loved one get help immediately when a fall or other emergency happens. Several types of fall-detection monitors are available to meet your lifestyle needs.
Memoir Maker
Gather favorite family photos for custom printing to create a puzzle, blanket, calendar, album or similar keepsake item that a senior loved one can reminisce and enjoy anytime. Or load images into a digital photo frame that lets older adults view them easily. Some types of digital frames like Nixplay let you add photos or videos by email or a mobile app.
Weighted Blanket
Linus with his blanket was right! There’s nothing like a blanket to promote calm and relaxation, and studies show that weighted blankets are very effective in improving sleep and reducing anxiety in senior with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Some companies like Mosaic will create a custom weighted blanket with the size, weight and fabric of your choice.
Accupressure Slippers
You don’t have be an older adult to know that many of us carry stress in our feet, and that as we get older it is common to develop painful symptoms of plantar fasciitis. These Byriver Acupressure Foot Massager Slippers are designed to alleviate symptoms by improving blood circulation.
Smart Display Devices for Video Calling, Streaming and Security
Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub Max are high-tech devices powered by Alexa and Google Assistant, respectively, that make it easier for seniors to video chat with family and friends, stream music, get information, and use smart-home controls to do things like turn house lights on and off or see who is at the front door. The newest generation of these countertop smart devices are handsfree—just wave your hand to pause a song or stop a timer.
Not only will these smart display devices entertain seniors but also help them feel connected through artificial intelligence. They are able to get the news or weather, listen to an audiobook or joke, ask the day and time, request to hear a favorite song, get a cooking recipe, set an alarm or reminder, and much more. These devices are being used by some to help improve the quality of life for those with dementia or mobility issues.
Meal Delivery Service
Eating right is essential for seniors to maintain good health. Fortunately, more and more meal delivery services are making it easier for them to do just that. Companies like Silver Cuisine by bistroMD Mom’s Meals and Magic Kitchen are designed to cater to older adults with menus that meet special dietary needs and timely home delivery that benefits those with mobility problems or vision impairment. Menus feature healthy meals created by dieticians and doctors with fresh food that is ready to “heat and eat.”
Wake-Up Light / Light Therapy Lamp
It’s been shown that light therapy can help older adults fight depression, and dementia or sleep disorders. A wake-up light alarm clock like this one by Philips helps seniors wake up more naturally by simulating sunrise. It’s a particularly useful tool for dark winter mornings.
Activity Box
Kids love activity boxes, so why wouldn’t “kids at heart?” There are a various activities in a Beat the Boredom Box that are designed to keep older minds thinking and hands moving. Each variety of box is packed with adult coloring books, puzzle and word search books, and other activity items that will entertain a senior loved one.
Window Bird Feeder
Speaking of entertainment, let feathered friends flock for a visit with this clever see-through bird feeder by Nature’s Hangout that easily attaches to the outside of a window. Your birdwatching or nature-loving elder family member will get a kick out of seeing birds come to the window all year round.
“Gift Ideas to Promote Health, Safety and Happiness for Your Beloved Senior” written by Michelle Flores, Amada contributor.
