The holidays are upon us—shopping is in full swing and the festive spirit is in the air. But what about mom and dad? It can be especially challenging to identify the right gift for family members or friends if they reside in a senior living community. Downsizing was difficult to begin with and their needs have changed. The last thing you want to do is get them something that will just end up as another knick-knack or unused clutter.
Connie DeLost, Director of Sales at MBK Senior Living’s The Montera advised, “The best gift for seniors is the gift of presence—showing up for quality visits, taking them on an outing, or bringing them their favorite meal. Letting your loved one know what’s going on in your life and making them feel like they’re still needed and wanted is the most magical thing you can do.”
In addition to the gift of time, MBK Senior Living has picked 10 of our favorite items to make your senior loved one’s holiday bright.
1. Echo Show. You’d be hard-pressed not to find the Echo Show on a holiday list for seniors. Its ease of use for music listening, television and movie watching, digital photo viewing, and video calling is second to none. Plus, features such as Alexa Emergency Assist and Smart Home compatibility can be incredibly useful.
2. Digital Frame. We like the all-encompassing Echo Show as a digital photo frame, but there are others out there with some cool features, such as the Aura Carver. With unlimited free cloud storage, the possibilities are endless. Best of all, families from all over the country can send new photos directly to their loved one’s frame.
3. Weighted Blanket. Weighted blankets can be pricey, but this dupe on Amazon is similar to much more expensive choices at a fraction of the cost. Weighted blankets are a type of deep-pressure treatment that can enhance dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. This can make a person feel more peaceful, happy, and well.
4. GrandPad Simple and Safe Tablet. GrandPad is considered a safe option for seniors because your encrypted family network means no spam, telemarketers, or scams. It replaces your loved one’s cell phone, landline, and desktop computer with a single solution and built-in 911 emergency calling capability for even greater peace of mind. Its simple interface and easy connectivity make it the perfect choice for families looking to stay connected safely and securely.
5. Wheelchair Blanket. If your loved one uses a wheelchair, a wheelchair blanket can be a useful and cozy gift. You can find any number of wheelchair blankets of a variety of types, weights, and price points, depending on your senior’s preferences. We like this heavyweight option by Granny Jo for colder days. Attach the blanket directly to the wheelchair for convenient comfort—it won’t drag, fall, or get in the way.
6. Slippers. Who doesn’t love a good warm pair of slippers? As we age, we want to make sure slippers are not only comfortable but safe to wear. The popular Acorn Spa Wrap slipper is a no-slip option with an adjustable strap over the arch and hidden elastic in the heel for a secure fit.
7. Coffee mug warmer. Mug warmers are a handy little appliance for those who tend to sip on their coffee throughout the morning. Coffee mug warmers can be technically advanced, like the Ember, or cheap and simple like the one we found on Amazon.
8. Custom photo album/blanket/calendar/puzzle. Photo customized items of any kind are a sure pleaser for your older loved one. Finding the right customized product can be as easy as a quick internet search or walking into your local CVS. Customized products can include photo albums or books, a blanket, calendar, or puzzle using a photo of grandchildren and other family. Shutterfly is an easy standby for customized photo gifts of any kind. They even have customizable wine glasses, socks, pillows, and mugs.
9. Toiletries. Lotions, colognes, no-skid socks, hand cream, and mild soaps are always needed. Perhaps a nice gift basket containing some of your loved one’s favorite essentials could put a smile on their face.
10. Gift certificates/tickets. Gift certificates and tickets can combine quality time with an activity your senior loved one enjoys. Surprise mom with a mother-daughter mani-pedi or take dad to the latest hit show in town. Whether they love the spa, salon, local theatre, or sporting events, gift certificates can be personal and useful.
We love these ideas, but everyone is unique and has different preferences. Really talk to your loved one and find out what’s important in their lives now. And remember that what they want might not cost anything but time.
