If you have a family member or friend living in a long-term care community and you’re not sure what to get them as a gift, here are some suggestions for any special occasion:
- A new pair of comfortable slippers or socks with rubber soles, a robe/snuggie, or sweater in a favorite color. Have their name or initials embroidered on them to make it more personal.
- A gift certificate for a haircut, massage, or manicure and pedicure. Treat yourself and go with the resident.
- A photo album, digital frame, or bulletin board collage with pictures of family and friends.
- A wall calendar with important dates, such as birthdays and anniversaries. Include some cards, envelopes, and stamps for them to send out.
- Brighten up a residents room with a quilt or lap blanket, plants, or flowers delivered on a regular basis.
- A subscription to their hometown newspaper or a favorite magazine.
- A gift box filled with their favorite cosmetics, such as makeup, lotion, powder, soap, aftershave, toothpaste, etc.
- Puzzles, Crossword or other word/number search books (in large print if needed).
- A paint-by-number craft kit, embroidery kit, model kit, or any other crafts they enjoy.
- A chia pet of the residents favorite animal or TV character such as Bob Ross or Richard Simmons
- A television for the residents room, along with wireless headphones (if they have a roommate).
- Copies of their favorite books (either paperback, on CD, or wireless reading device).
- An iPod (and headphones) with a playlist of their favorite songs.
- If the resident uses a wheelchair or walker, find a tote bag that can attach to it for their personal items, or a light that they can wrap around their handlebar (similar to one you put on your bicycle) to help them see better at night.
- One of the best gifts for a resident, of course, is the gift of your visits. However, with the visitation limitations due to COVID-19, the next best thing would be to provide the resident with a tablet that has a video conference application on it, such as zoom. Ask a staff member to show the resident how to use the tablet. This way the resident can participate virtually in family gatherings, events, celebrations, and activities with others to help decrease social isolation.
Happy Gifting!
Lisa Rill, PhD
Executive Director, Senior Life Source
