Suggested Holiday Gifts for Elderly Persons, Homebound or Disabled Persons, and Residents of Facilities
Posted on 10/13/2004
by Rodger W. Wetzel, MPA/MHA, LSW, Director
Community Health, Development and Eldercare
The best gift is a gift of your TIME . . . not only at Christmas, but at other times throughout the year. Consider making a commitment to visit this person at least once a month!
Elderly at home and other homebound persons
- Gift certificates to grocery, clothing or drug stores. (Also offer to take them shopping!)
- Offer to help them decorate their home for the holidays. (Offer to bring a few items!)
- Offer to help purchase and wrap any gifts. (Offer to bring wrapping paper and ribbons!)
- Offer to help them write their cards and letters. (Offer to bring stationery and stamps!)
- A box of assorted stamped cards for various occasions.
- Tickets to ride the Bis-Man Transit or local bus for seniors/handicapped persons.
- Tickets for home-delivered meals or Meals-on-Wheels. (Call your local senior center.)
- Gift certificate for their favorite barber shop or beauty salon. (Offer to take them!)
- Gift certificate to the movie theater. (Offer to take them to a favorite movie!)
- Magazine/newspaper subscriptions. (Ask their preferences, e.g. hometown newspaper?)
- Hand/foot lotions. (Ask if you can apply some lotion on them, if both are willing!)
- Music box; tape/CD player and tapes. (Offer to listen with them for a while!)
- Zip-front jogging suits. (Easier for them to take off.)
- Perfumes/aftershave lotion. (Ask them if they have a favorite scent.)
- Slippers and socks; sweaters. (Front zip are suggested.)
- Green plants. (Unless they already have too many!)
- Homemade foods. (Stay and share some with them!) (Suggestion: bring one each month!)
- A certificate book offering to do one chore of their choice each month (inside/outside).
- Large print books; craft kits. (Offer to do a craft with them!)
- Offer to drive them to look at Christmas lights. (Stop for treats afterwards!)
- Electric coffee pot which turns itself off after a time. (In case they forget that it’s on.)
- A bird feeder and a sack of bird food. (Attach near a window and resupply each month!)
- Offer to deliver a favorite movie each month. (Offer to stay and watch with them!)
- Foot spas; bathtub jets; vibrating/heating back pads.
Nursing Home/Assisted Living/Basic Care Residents (First ask facility staff what that resident needs or what they suggest for their residents.)
- A box of stamped assorted cards.
Manicure sets; combs; brushes. - Lap robes. (Must be washable.)
- Magazine/newspaper subscriptions. (Ask about their hometown newspaper.)
- Hand/foot lotions (ask staff about suggested types); other personal care items.
- Music box; tape/CD player (with headphones – so it won’t disturb others) and tapes.
- Zip-front jogging suits. (Easier for staff to take off.)
- Perfumes/aftershave lotion. (Ask staff about suggested scents.)
- Slippers; velcro-closure shoes; socks; sweater (front zip); belt; suspenders for men.
- Bathrobe; underwear; pajamas/nightgowns. (Ask staff about other clothing needs.)
- Pretty silk flowers. (They won’t have to remember to water them!)
- Clock or calendar with large numbers. (Write the date of your future visits!)
- Homemade treats. (First ask staff about special diets, choking risk, etc.)
- Craft kits; puzzles; games. (They should be easy to see and use – no sharp edges.)
- Seeds (herbs, beans, etc.) and some pots with dirt. (Help them plant/watch/smell them.)