Christmas Day will be here in less than a month! Needless to say, it’s a very special time of year. Of course, many would call it “the most wonderful time of the year”! The holiday season is certainly a time for expressing love and appreciation. Because of this, finding the perfect gift can make a world of difference in a loved one’s life. But what are the best gifts for older adults?
Whether you’re shopping for your parents, grandparents or other cherished seniors, choosing a thoughtful gift that supports their comfort, safety or hobbies is a meaningful way to show you care.
Practical Holiday Gifts For Seniors Gifts that promote comfort and relaxation.
As you’re very well aware, the winter months in Alberta can be very cold. This practically forces us to be less active and confined within our homes more often. Therefore, comfort-focused gifts are always appreciated by older adults. We’re thinking heated blankets that provide soothing warmth and comfort, especially for those with joint and muscle pain. Memory foam slippers are also great ideas. They keep seniors cozy while reducing the risk of slips. Massaging cushions are also awesome. They offer perfect relief of tension in the back, neck and feet.
“Gifts such as a wheelchair blanket, cozy wrap or shawl (with pockets to make life easier!) or some cozy non-slip socks will provide your loved one with some added comfort and warmth,” informs Just Like Family Home Care, “You could pair a cozy item with a Light Therapy Lamp to help take the gloom out of the grey days and ensure your loved one is getting sufficient Vitamin D, which has numerous benefits for seniors.”
Health and wellness products.
Honestly, is there any better gift than one that promotes good health? Needless to say, helping an elderly loved one to remain strong and healthy is an important year-round task. This holiday season, consider getting a fitness tracker for the senior in your life. It can track steps, monitor heart rates and even send emergency alerts. Maybe you could also buy a pill organizer with an alarm. This simplifies medication management with daily reminders.
“Many seniors suffer from health conditions such as arthritis and dementia,” points out Wil Thomas of Seniors Bulletin, “Therefore, it’s essential to find gifts that can help them manage these conditions and improve their daily lives.” For seniors with arthritis, Thomas recommends ergonomic jar openers, easy-grip utensils, heating pads and pain relief creams. For those with dementia, he suggests memory-promoting board games and puzzles that stimulate cognitive abilities.
Don’t forget the gifts that can encourage your elderly loved one to be physically fit. A balance and stability board is great for improving balance and core strength. An enrolment in an online class can offer the older adult in your life accessible, low-impact exercise sessions. As well, buying resistance bands will help to promote strength training.
Technology to stay engaged and connected.
Don’t assume that modern gadgets and older adults don’t mix. In fact, many of today’s new devices are cherished by seniors. New technology helps them connect with loved ones while also providing entertainment. An easy-to-use tablet would make a wonderful gift for a senior. Preload it with family photos, video calling apps and simple interfaces to help keep your elderly loved one connected and entertained.
“A tablet can come in handy for keeping in touch and playing games, while a smartphone has the added advantage of increasing safety,” notes Just Like Family Home Care, “E-readers are great for those who love to read, as you can borrow books directly from many libraries and the ability to increase the font size makes reading more accessible to those experiencing vision challenges.”
You may wish to consider a voice-activated smart speaker as well. Devices like Amazon Echo or Google Nest offer hands-free assistance for playing music, setting reminders or making calls. Photo frames with digital displays also make sweet gifts. You can display cherished memories in a slideshow format, updating remotely with new photos from loved ones.
Boredom busters.
Why not pick up an audio book for the lover of literature in your family? It will certainly be appreciated if he or she has vision impairments that make it difficult to read. As well, consider knitting, painting or puzzle kits that are tailored to seniors’ skill levels. A personalized puzzle would be especially cool. Create a jigsaw puzzle from a cherished family photo for a fun and sentimental activity.
“Gifts that help seniors combat boredom can greatly improve their morale,” writes Thomas, “Consider creating a Beat the Boredom Box which can be as simple or extravagant as desired. Fill it with a variety of activities such as puzzles, adult colouring books, and Sudoku books. Choose items that cater to the specific interests and abilities of the senior.”
Thomas also recommends a Window Bird Feeder for nature enthusiasts. It “can bring endless entertainment without having to leave home. Seniors can enjoy observing various bird species from the comfort of their favourite chair. This can be an especially wonderful gift for those with limited mobility.”
Mobility aids that enhance independence.
Everyone who has elderly loved ones in their lives want nothing more than to provide them with safety, comfort and convenience. This is why mobility aids that enhance independence often serve as some of the greatest holiday gifts for older adults. At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we have a wide variety of high-quality walking canes and crutches to choose from. For individuals that need even greater assistance with their mobility, we offer top-of-the-line walkers and rollators as well. Probably the most practical holiday gifts for seniors are chairs with heat and massage. We have a variety of different seating with different configurations to keep them comfortable, all winter long!
When choosing a gift for your elderly loved one, think about his or her lifestyle, interests and unique needs. The Advantage Home Health Solutions team is dedicated to helping seniors live comfortably and independently. For help finding the most practical holiday gifts for the senior in your life, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page! Here’s to a safe, joyous and thoughtful holiday season!
