The holiday season is again approaching. Every year, as the calendar inches closer to the Big Day, the dilemma of what to give someone in a nursing home resurfaces. Birthdays and Mother's Day/Father's Day bring up the same questions. It's challenging to find the right gift for someone in a nursing home.
Take this list with you when you shop for any occasion. Pick up one or two items for simple gifts, or bundle several together in a decorative container for a custom gift basket that is certain to delight your favorite nursing home resident.
Entertainment:
Subscriptions on meaningful topics. Sports magazines, news magazines, womens' publications, the local newspaper, large print digests
Large print fiction or non-fiction books
Large print crossword or word-find books
CDs of favorite music from the 30s, 40s or 50s
DVDs of favorite television shows or movies
A radio, CD player, CD player or even a new television
Games such as checkers, chess, parcheesi, pokeno, dominoes and card decks
Photo album with dates and names clearly labeled
Clothing and Toiletries:
Sweat suits, cardigan sweaters, robes and pajamas. Look for items that have stretchy fabrics and loose arms so that they are easy to get on and off
Slippers or shoes with backs and rubber soles
Hand or body lotion
Facial tissues with lotion
Brush and comb with long handles for those with limited arm mobility
Hands-free pedestal mirror
Electric razor
Gift certificate for the nursing home gift shop or beauty/barber shop
For The Room:
Framed family photographs
New afghan or lap robe
Large number clock
Small lockbox for securing personal treasures
Earphones for television or radio
Large number amplified phone
New large print calendar with important dates marked
Large print address book with addresses and phone numbers already written in
Greeting cards for all occasions and stamps
For loved ones in a nursing home avoid highly fragranced gifts such as cologne, perfume or after shave. These can be annoying to other residents even if your loved one enjoys them. Residents with dementia may accidentally swallow these, too.
Food items can be difficult because of dietary restrictions. If you are certain your loved one will be able to enjoy them, remember to avoid anything that might be difficult to eat with dentures, such as caramels.
If the person you are shopping for has a roommate who gets few visitors (or none at all) consider "adopting" him or her. A little something from you may be the only recognition this lonely person gets on an important day.
Do your best to deliver your gifts in person. Most nursing home residents appreciate visits much more than gifts of things.
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