Father’s Day is approaching quickly! This Sunday, June 15th marks a special opportunity for us all to honour the men who have guided us through life, offered support through thick and thin and shared their wisdom with us. Are you currently on the hunt for the perfect Father’s Day gift? When it comes to elderly dads, finding a gift that’s both meaningful and useful can be a challenge.
Does your dad enjoy sports, music or movies? Is your father is aging gracefully at home? Might he be coping with mobility challenges?
Here are five Father’s Day gifts that your elderly dad will love:
1. Voice-activated smart speakers.
We aren’t fans of stereotypes. However, we’re aware that seniors are generally known to not be the most tech savvy individuals in the world. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that your elderly father won’t love a smart speaker! Such eyebrow-raising innovations as the Google Nest or Amazon Echo can help your dad in a myriad of ways in the easiest way possible. All he has to do is use his voice!
Once the smart speaker is connected to your Wi-Fi, your father can use it to set reminders, play music or, in some cases, even make phone calls. It’s a wonderful way to support independence and reduce feelings of isolation.
You probably won’t be surprised to know that Best Buy offers a wide variety of smart speakers for the elderly. They include the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display with Google Assistant. “Its bright display and powerful speaker keep you entertained with shows, videos, or music while compatibility with thousands of devices lets you turn on the lights, lock the doors, monitor video doorbells and cameras, and more,” informs their website, “It even helps you get a good night’s sleep with smart bedside features including a Sunrise Alarm.”
2. Hobby and entertainment gifts.
Does your father spend a lot of time indoors? Is he also someone who is often alone? If so, gifts that will stimulate his mind and help him to enjoy solitude are in order. For example, large-print books or audiobooks are ideal presents. If your dad loves to read but has difficulty with small print, consider gifting large-print editions of his favourite novels. Alternatively, you can get him a subscription to an audiobook service like Audible.
An Audible membership boasts access to over 800,000 titles. They provide over 130 audiobook genres and microgenres. Their website also points out that subscribing saves you money when compared to purchasing audiobooks. “The average retail price of an audiobook is $40,” it informs, “Audible’s membership starts at only $14.95/mo.”
Is your father into puzzle books and board games? It’s important to note that mental stimulation is crucial for cognitive health. Crossword puzzles, Sudoku or classic games like Scrabble and chess are fun ways to keep his mind sharp. Does your dad have a green thumb? Maybe some gardening tools with ergonomic handles would make perfect gifts.
3. Personalized presents.
There’s nothing quite like a one-of-a-kind gift to make a recipient feel truly special. Even something as simple as a t-shirt containing your dad’s favourite phrase or nickname would be enough to make him smile ear-to-ear. What about taking it up a notch and getting a custom engraved keepsake? Think along the lines of a keychain, pocketwatch or a framed quote. Personalized items add emotional value and can become cherished keepsakes.
You may also want to consider a memory journal or scrapbook. By creating a memory book filled with stories, photos and messages from family members, you’ll help to stimulate fond memories in your father. It doesn’t get much more personal than that! Include space for your dad to add his own reflections, making it a shared family treasure.
“For many people, reminiscing sparks positive feelings of a life well-lived and strong connections with family and friends,” says Lifeline Canada, “Cognitive and social benefits aside, scrapbooking creates a beautiful family heirloom to pass down for future generations to enjoy and for those who want to learn more about their family history. Scrapbooks create a lasting memento of important people, places and events in your life.”
4. A day out in Calgary.
As long as the weather holds up and your dad is physically up to it, it’s a great idea to take him to one of his favourite local spots. Would he enjoy a picnic in Fish Creek Park? Might he like to take a stroll around Prince’s Island Park? To Do Canada reveals that there are many ways to celebrate Father’s Day all throughout Calgary.
The site lists events happening at such museums as the Hangar Flight Museum and The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland. If farmers markets are more your dad’s speed, there are Father’s Day festivities taking place at Inglewood Night Market and Riverwalk Plaza among other places. There are also fun outdoor attractions at the Calgary Zoo and Spruce Meadows.
What about lunch at a familiar restaurant? Thankfully, To Do Canada offers a convenient list of Calgary restaurants that are great for Father’s Day brunches and dinners. They include The Two Rivers Distillery, Thomson’s Kitchen & Bar, The Yellow Door Bistro, The Glenmore Inn Garden Court Buffet and King Eddy, just to name a few.
5. Assistive devices that make life easier.
Have your dad’s mobility aids seen better days? Upgrading to more stable or lightweight models can boost confidence and ease movement. At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we offer a variety of walkers and rollators as well as walking canes and crutches that suit different needs and styles.
When choosing a Father’s Day gift for your elderly dad, it’s important to think about what will truly enhance his life. Does he need something practical, comforting or deeply sentimental? No matter the choice, the best gift is one that shows him that he is seen, valued and loved. If your dad is experiencing mobility challenges or would benefit from assistive devices, we’re here to help.
Please don’t hesitate to give Advantage Home Health Solutions a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
