Holiday Gift Ideas That Simplify Seniors' Lives

Remember when we were kids getting gifts on holidays and birthdays? We wanted toys and games, but sometimes unwrapped sweaters, soap, or stocks that wouldn’t mature for 20 years. You know, “Stuff you can use.” That may be disappointing for kids, but stuff you can use makes the best gifts for Lehigh Valley seniors.

Gifts for seniors don’t need to be complex or expensive. They can range from medication reminders to modern digital radios, from window-mounted bird feeders to water flossers. The type of gift will vary according to your loved one’s needs, abilities, gender, and surroundings, but you are sure to find something to simplify their life. A little observation during a visit can help you notice little things that a senior struggles with, triggering ideas for useful gifts.

Here are a few of the dozens of often overlooked ideas to simplify that special senior’s life.

• If your senior takes multiple medication tablets, a daily pill organizer can help sort and store pills, simplifying dosage management. They are also useful for travel.
• As grandchildren and great-grandchildren multiply, your aging parent may need a way to keep track of birthdays. Enter the wooden birthday calendar, a clever, decorative reminder that’s flexible yet easy to use. Simply label the tags and hang them on the wall plaque. A great at-a-glance, perpetual calendar!
• Most people don’t think twice about putting on shoes, boots, and sneakers, but seniors may need help with this common act that requires bending and reaching. Simple yet helpful, a long shoe horn extends their reach, providing relief for achy backs and legs.
• “Hop into the car” may require more effort for seniors with mobility issues. A standard cane can help a person who needs some support for standing and walking, but an auto cane is designed specifically to support seniors when entering and exiting the car.
• Is that unfinished jigsaw puzzle taking up valuable space on someone’s table? No one wants to dismantle a half-finished puzzle or try to slide it onto a piece of cardboard to try to move it. A roll-up puzzle mat is the perfect solution for keeping that puzzle intact.
• Has your loved one ever asked you to open a jar for them? It may be that weak or arthritic hands are making the simplest tasks difficult and even painful. There are many jar-opening aids on the market, including battery-operated devices. How handy can you get?
• Getting or keeping a grip on a bar of soap can lead to sloppy, slippery results for someone with dexterity difficulty. Automatic liquid soap dispensers simplify personal hygiene while keeping soap mess to a minimum. They are also decorative, and you can volunteer to make sure it’s charged and full when you visit!
• The same concept as above applies to dispensing toothpaste. There are many toothpaste dispensers available; you can find one that suits your loved one’s decor and personal needs.
• Do you notice your beloved senior struggling to reach that jar of peanut butter or that soup can on the top shelf? Why not extend their reach and their safety with a grabber tool? There are many variations, from simple to heavy-duty, to meet every need. 
• How about giving the gift of you-don’t-need-to-lift-a-finger chores? As we age, certain chores can seem harder or totally out of reach, such as tending the yard, cooking meals, cleaning those hard-to-reach areas, and making minor repairs. You could create a Chore Cup, a coffee mug filled with strips of paper with chores written on them. When needed, your loved one can pull the appropriate paper and “redeem” it by handing it to you when you come to help out. Of course, that cup can be refilled as needed!
• A fun variation could be the Companionship Cup, filled with ideas like “Go to the movies,” “Get a makeover,” “Take a walk together,” “Play bridge,” or “Watch ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ for the 10th time.” The main point is to enjoy each other’s company.

As we and our loved ones grow older, sometimes we need a little help to accomplish the tasks we used to take for granted. It may be an extension of our arm or some battery-powered assistance, or a little memory jog—nothing to be ashamed of. Seniors will appreciate useful gifts that show care and concern—wrapped up in love!

If you’re interested in learning more about life at Heather Glen Senior Living in our personal or memory care community, or would like to see our community for yourself, give us a call at (610) 841-4478 or fill out our online form today.