Friday 26 / July / 2024
This is the time of year when everyone is stressed about what gifts to get their family. While gift shopping sounds fun, it can be pretty stressful, especially if you don’t know what to buy for your family members.
It is even more challenging when looking for gifts for your elderly parents, whether you’re shopping for your ageing mom, dad, grandpa, or grandma. After all, what do you give someone who probably has everything?
What is the appropriate gift for them? Should you buy something fun or functional? What do older adults consider fun? Fortunately, there is always an excellent gift for someone if you look hard enough and think outside the box.
To avoid disappointing your parents, here are 12 gift ideas you should consider.
1. A Family Photo Album
A family photo album is one of the oldest gift ideas. However, it’s also one of the most appreciated gifts by elderly parents and grandparents. Look for a beautiful photo album and get some family photos developed.
You can put these photos in the photo album and give your mom or dad this gift. This is a great way to remind your elderly parents that they have a loving and caring family. As they flip through the photo album, they will take a trip down memory lane and appreciate you for the effort.
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2. Neck and Back Massagers
There are numerous electric massagers in the market today. These massagers help reduce muscle soreness and come with a heating function to help with joint pain. Because many aging adults suffer from stress and joint pain, this is an excellent New Year gift. A neck and back massager helps apply pressure on the muscles around the shoulders and neck. This is a great way to reduce muscular tension and ease stress. An electric massager will relax the body and get rid of daily stress, making it the perfect gift for your ageing parents.
3. An Adult Colouring Book
Colouring books aren’t just made for kids to play with. Companies have started manufacturing adult colouring books to help relieve everyday stress in recent years. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for your elderly parents, consider buying them an adult colouring book.
Art therapy is an excellent way for seniors to relieve stress and boost their mental health. It also helps increase cognitive functions, promote good communication, and restore physical and mental functions. Additionally, completing a coloring task will leave your parents feeling a sense of accomplishment.
In recent years, many researchers have taken an interest in art therapy and its effects on the body. According to a study, participating in arts improves the well-being of aging adults. The researchers also found that their quality of life improved based on the same analysis.
4. Electric or Weighted Blanket
Dementia and Alzheimer’s can result in unrest and agitation, especially in senior citizens. According to recent studies, researchers have linked numerous health benefits to weighted or electric blankets. These blankets often use deep pressure stimulation that mimics the effects of a hug to ease stress, reduce anxiety and treat insomnia.
This is a great gift for your ageing parents because it’s functional and helpful. If your parents are suffering from anxiety, especially in light of the pandemic, this is a great way to help them reduce stress and anxiety.
5. A Virtual Assistant
Whether your parents live in elderly care or at home with you, buying them a virtual assistant such as Google Home and Amazon’s Alexa will help them in numerous ways. These virtual assistants are voice-controlled devices that can listen to your parents’ commands and help them navigate everyday tasks.
A virtual assistant is a great way to ensure your parents are comfortable. You can also connect the virtual assistant to other electronic devices such as lights, a kettle, or the thermostat so that they are voice-controlled too.
6. Adjustable Bed Step Stool
A bed step stool for elderly parents is a great gift for helping your parents safely get in and out of bed. Most bed step stools come with a reinforced steel base, steel grab bars, and soft foam padding for ease of use.
They also have an extra broad landing base to avoid toppling over. When looking for a suitable adjustable bed step stool, ensure you find one that fits perfectly on your parents’ bedside.
7. Brain Stimulation Games
The brain is a muscle, and it requires a lot of training to stay healthy, just like other muscles in the body. This is especially essential for senior citizens who may not get enough mental stimulation during the day.
Fortunately, there are numerous brain stimulation games in the market for seniors. These games are great for improving memory, boosting concentration, and maintaining the mental health of an aging adult. They also make thoughtful New Year gifts.
8. A White Noise Machine
A white noise machine is an electronic device that produces a calming sound for listeners. In most cases, the machine produces sounds such as gently blowing wind through a forest, a rainy night, waves rocking on the beach, and other serene-like natural sounds.
The sounds produced by white noise machines can help heal insomnia by assisting the brain block out other noises and providing a constant soothing and relaxing sound. These machines come with various sounds to help you sleep soundly throughout the night.
With many older adults suffering from insomnia, this is a thoughtful gift that will help your elderly parents sleep well and wake up feeling more refreshed.
9. A Wheelchair Blanket
If your parents have limited mobility or are suffering from dementia, this is a great gift for them. A wheelchair blanket will keep your elderly loved one warm and comfy during the cold holiday season.
The wheelchair blanket comes with some hooks to attach to the wheelchair, making it very secure. By hooking the blanket, you won’t need to worry about it getting caught in the wheels and causing an accident.
10. Aroma Lamp or an Essential Oil Diffuser
Aroma lamps and diffusers are fancy devices that can work as a form of aromatherapy by releasing pleasant fragrances into the room along with diffused essential oils. These devices are relatively inexpensive, making this a great gift for your mom. The diffuser can also stay on for numerous hours at a time.
The pleasant fragrances they produce are great for soothing seniors and easing anxiety. You can also buy different essential oils with varying health benefits.
For instance, lavender can help induce sleep by reducing restlessness in senior citizens. On the other hand, eucalyptus oil is excellent for soothing a stuffy nose and opening up the nasal passage, making it easier to breathe during the cold season.
11. A Medical Alert Device
Most medical alert devices come in the form of wearable accessories such as a necklace or a bracelet. These are great for keeping your ageing parents safe. With just a push of a button, you can notify emergency responders, and healthcare personnel will be dispatched to your parent’s home.
While these are costly, a medical alert device is a great gift. It’s a worthy investment for seniors living alone or at risk of falling.
12. A Custom-Made Jigsaw Puzzle
A custom jigsaw puzzle doubles as a reminiscent gift and a brain stimulation game. Numerous online websites help you create your own custom jigsaw puzzle. You simply need to upload a photograph, and the site will complete the puzzle.
This is an excellent way for senior citizens to look back and reminisce on happy memories. The jigsaw puzzle is also a great way to strengthen their mental health and keep their brains active throughout the day.
