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It’s that time of year again—holiday shopping season! Do you have all the gifts ready? Sometimes it can seem impossible to find the perfect gift for the senior or elderly adult in your life. Maybe it feels like they already have everything they need, or perhaps they are finicky.
The gifts on this list are easy to obtain, quite affordable, and will bring more than a little joy this festive season. And you can be rest assured that you are giving something that makes your senior loved one very happy.
To give the gifts of peace, safety, and security, senior alert systems always make a helpful and welcome present! With multiple options available, you can browse online, settle on the best possible personal response emergency system for your loved one, and have it shipped in time for the holidays. Easy peasy!
Why not pair that wonderful gift of comfort and joy with a few other goodies wrapped under the tree?
Cozy, Comfy Socks
When you were a kid, socks were one of the most disappointing gifts you could possibly get. As an older adult, that’s a whole different story – especially if they’re the right kind of socks. Enter the warm, cozy, gripper-sole socks that are so thick, they’re almost like slippers.
As a person ages, their body begins to struggle with proper circulation. That’s one reason why so many seniors complain that their feet are cold – sometimes so cold they hurt. This happens even if the house is very warm, which indicates that they need a little more comfort for those toes.
Thick socks can trap in the body heat of the feet. Slipping them on straight out of a warm bed can protect feet against cold floors. They can also help protect the skin, so someone with diabetes can be rest assured these socks will help them avoid wounds that are slow to heal.
A word to the wise: MedlinePlus points out that narrowed arteries can lead to pain, burning, fatigue, and discomfort in the feet, calves, and thighs. This can be a sign of heart disease.1 If your loved one is suddenly complaining of problems with their feet, encourage them to go to the doctor and get checked out.
Candle Warmers
An open flame can be a dangerous thing, especially if it’s left unattended. Imagine someone who may be prone to forgetfulness or distraction who might light a candle and then forget it is burning – very bad things could ensue. That’s when candle warmers come in very handy.
These thoughtful gifts gently warm up a candle to release the delightful scent but use no open flame, so there’s no fire hazard. And in fact, many candle warmers are designed to shut off after a certain period of time, so there’s no risk of the device overheating. Give your loved one a candle warmer along with a scented candle that you know they will love.
If you’re worried that they might choose to light the candle anyway, go with wax melts and a warmer designed for the melts. These melt wax to release the scent and have no open flame, making them much safer than candles.
Jigsaw Puzzles
Anything that improves cognitive ability gets a thumbs-up for a welcome holiday gift. A study in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found that those who were assigned cognitive counseling plus daily jigsaw puzzle work had a much lower risk of cognitive decline than those who were prescribed only counseling. As a bonus, working jigsaw puzzles seems to help with regulating emotions.2
Jigsaw puzzles are especially nice because they allow for a person to work on them alone or with friends and family, thus giving more opportunities for socialization.
Look for a jigsaw puzzle that reflects something they really love – there seems to be no limit to the things that can be depicted in puzzles! From their favorite sports team to their top hobby to something zany and different, there are a multitude of colorful puzzles to choose from. You can even choose from traditional puzzle pieces and those that are made of odd shapes and weird patterns.
Also make sure to choose a puzzle that suits their skill level. For instance, someone with arthritic hands will need a puzzle with larger pieces. Also take into account how easily frustrated your loved one can get and plan accordingly – a 300 piece puzzle is much easier and less time-consuming than one that is 1,000 pieces!
Handheld Magnifier
As we get older, our eyesight starts to go. That’s unfortunately true for the vast majority of us, no matter how well we take care of our eyes throughout our lifetimes. According to a report in JAMA Ophthalmology, almost 93% of all adults over the age of 65 use some sort of eyeglasses, contacts, or other corrective visual aids.3
As eyesight begins to diminish, frustrations can ensue. Help mitigate that with a powerful handheld magnifier. These very helpful little devices are affordable enough that you can purchase several in a pack, allowing your loved one to place them where they are most needed – perhaps in the kitchen to read labels, in the bedroom for reading a book at night, and on the side table in the living room for assistance in reading through the mail.
Classes to Spark a New Interest
The gift of discovery will never grow old. Pay attention throughout the year to what your loved one really enjoys and what they might like to try, then turn that into a gift to carry them into the new year.
For instance, someone who is really into baking might enjoy a cooking class. Someone who is looking for more ways to be active might enjoy an aerobics class at the local gym. Or a person who is into art might enjoy taking a photography class down at the local community college.
From a one-time “sip and paint” class to a long-term class on woodworking, there is something out there for everyone. There are even courses that can be taken entirely online, which works out very well for those seniors who have mobility or transportation issues that make it tough to leave the house.
When you choose a class for your loved one, look into the supplies they might need and get those, too. The idea is to make taking the class as seamless as possible, so they can truly enjoy themselves.
Whether it’s an online class or one that your loved one attends in person every week, an emergency button alarm is a great idea. The ability to reach out for help around the clock can provide peace of mind.
Adult Coloring Books
Art is a fantastic way to keep the brain sharp and improve hand-eye coordination. It’s also a means of expression that anyone can enjoy, but perhaps especially those with dementia, who might find it difficult to communicate in other ways.
There are a multitude of coloring books that use a variety of mediums to create, from those that require fine-tipped markers to get into the smallest lines to those that use watercolor paints to create abstract images. Coloring books and packs of crayons or colored pencils are a great way to provide some art enjoyment without the potential mess.
You can choose coloring books that suit the person’s skill level. For example, someone who is of sharp mind and body might truly enjoy a very elaborate coloring book, while someone who has dementia might need something with simpler shapes to color.
And of course, make sure that whatever theme you choose, it’s something that reflects their interests.
CD Player and their Favorite CDs
Streaming music is the go-to option for music lovers these days. But some seniors might have trouble or a lack of interest in figuring out how to work the tiny devices to get their music. And besides, who doesn’t like some nostalgia with their classics?
The gift of a CD player or record turntable can fill their home with music again. Look for one that has easy-to-use controls. Choose several of their favorite CDs or vinyl records as part of this lovely gift. For more obscure music, hit up thrift stores and antique shops to find boxes of records and CDs that are sure to please for a very affordable price.
Medical Alert Devices Give the Gift of Safety
When you’re looking for the ideal gift, consider a medical alert necklace or wristband. It provides the opportunity to reach out for help for any reason, but especially for accidents, falls, and medical emergencies. This gift can literally save a life.
The around-the-clock monitoring center has trained professionals always available to answer when your loved one presses the alert button. That peace of mind can allow them to live their life the way they want to, always knowing that Alert1 has their back no matter where they are.
These great gift options for seniors are a surefire way to show your elderly loved one how much you care about them this holiday season! Happy holidays from Alert1!
