Thinking of great ideas for gifts for a grandparent or parent can be tough. It seems like they have everything or say they don’t want anything. But then, when gifts are being exchanged, we always want our loved ones to participate. These gifts are great for seniors: They’re useful and either address a daily task or challenge, cater to an interest or hobby, or make life easier.
Here, we’ve curated a list of great gifts for seniors so you can be confident that you give them a gift they’ll truly love and use.
Great gifts for seniors with dementia
We included a few items on this list that could be perfect for a person with dementia because of the unique symptoms and effects of this group of conditions. We curated a list of items that will soothe and entertain the recipient and can be practical for them and their family caregiver.
Weighted blanket
A weighted blanket provides comfort and helps calm individuals with dementia, easing agitation during distressing moments with its soft, soothing texture. Sundowning, a phenomenon characterized by agitation, particularly during the late afternoon hours, can happen in people with dementia. A weighted blanket like this one can be a source of comfort in times like those.
Adaptive clothing
Adaptive clothing, like magnetic-button cardigans, offers ease and comfort for those with physical challenges. Adaptive sweaters at Silvertz come in women’s and men’s sizes. If it’s becoming complicated for your loved one to get dressed, putting on these magnetic cardigans is a snap (pardon the pun).
Framed photo
A framed family photo can bring joy and familiarity to someone with dementia. These frames from Frameology have customizable options for frame style and matting or even creative prints like glass photos. People with dementia may have a hard time remembering new information but, by contrast, recall the past in detail. Framing old photos can spark memories and conversation.
Therapy stuffed animals
Therapy stuffed animals, such as lifelike cats or dogs, provide comfort during the distressing sundowning hours in the late afternoon. Senior living communities sometimes have them handy for residents, but you, too, can offer your loved one comfort with these stuffed animals.
Busy Kit
Busy kits or busy boxes are simply activity sets that can entertain people at certain stages of dementia. Many types of kits cater to various interests, tactile, and sensory preferences, like these busy boxes on Amazon.
You can also make your own. Brenda-Lee Smith of Oasis Senior Advisors Coastal San Diego is a placement advisor and Alzheimer’s and dementia care trainer and suggests considering the person’s former hobbies: “[If they] used to enjoy quilting, [consider] providing a large number of fabric pieces in various colors, shapes, and sizes.”
Tech gifts for seniors
Whether your loved one is a tech-savvy expert or just diving into the world of new technology, we’ve got something on our list for them.
Smartwatch
This Samsung smartwatch offers a tech-savvy gift by allowing your loved one to manage messages, track health metrics, and control smart devices directly from their wrist.
Fitness tracker
Ideal for those passionate about health, an Amazfit fitness tracker monitors key metrics like heart rate and sleep patterns while also providing motivation through encouraging messages.
Bluetooth speaker
A Bluetooth speaker makes it easy for your loved one to enjoy music anywhere, from the beach to the backyard, with simple pairing to smartphones or other devices. When gifting a trusted name like Bose, you can’t go wrong.
E-reader
Kindles are the perfect idea for book lovers. This classic e-reader offers access to thousands of books, including e-books from local libraries.
Virtual assistant device
A voice-activated virtual assistant device helps your loved one manage daily tasks like setting reminders, checking the weather, and making video calls with ease. Amazon’s Echo Dot and Echo Show are two choices that make great gifts.
Digital photo frame
A digital photo frame allows you to update and share family photos remotely at any time. Surprise Grandma with school photos as soon as they arrive or pictures from the holiday season.
Personalized gifts
These personalized gifts aren’t your average monogrammed hand towels. These customizable ideas range from subscriptions to personalized items that will surely show your loved one how unique you think they are.
Storyworth’s book about your family
For under $100, Storyworth sends prompts throughout a yearlong subscription. At the end of the year, it preserves your loved one’s cherished moments and family memories in a beautifully bound book.
MasterClass subscription
A MasterClass subscription provides access to expert-led classes of inspiring learning experiences for your loved one.
Custom wall calendar
This personalized wall calendar helps your loved one keep track of important dates while displaying meaningful images and photos of your choosing.
Custom photo book
Shutterfly offers a range of personalized items, and their custom photo book is a thoughtful collection of memories — all for under $50.
Personalized gift puzzle
Pinhole’s custom photo jigsaw puzzle is fun for puzzle lovers, and the end result is a cherished photo.
Hobby gifts for seniors
These gifts are a nod to classic hobbies and interests, whether they’re your loved one’s favorite pastime or a new one they want to pick up.
Walking stick
This walking stick by Brazos is a great companion for the casual hiker or trail walker. Its rustic aesthetic is unique and doesn’t look like other walking sticks.
Bird-watching book and binoculars
Bird-watching is a fun hobby and an accessible activity for people of all mobility levels. Gifting the right binoculars and this bird-watching guidebook can set your loved one up for a fun and educational experience. You can get both for under $75.
Coffee subscription
A coffee subscription from Atlas Coffee Club ensures your coffee aficionado always has a fresh supply as well as a touch of variety in their routine.
Flower delivery subscription
Fresh-cut flower bouquets don’t need to be saved for only special occasions. A fresh, stunning arrangement from The Bouqs can arrive at your loved one’s door at the frequency of your choosing (weekly to every other month). They’ll always think of you when another bouquet brightens their home.
Large-print word search, sudoku, and crossword puzzle books
Puzzles are a well-loved pastime. If your senior loved one likes the daily Wordle or the newspaper’s crossword puzzle, they will likely love the books here: days and days of entertainment in large-print word search, sudoku, and crossword puzzle books.
Safety gifts
Prioritizing safety doesn’t need to be boring. Items that maximize your loved one’s safety, like the ones below, can be great gifts for seniors.
Gripper socks
Socks with grippers are a game changer for everyday stability, security, and comfort.
Grabber tool
The EZPIK folding grabber tool‘s practicality is surpassed only by its convenience. Without the need to bend down or reach up to high places, your loved one remains comfortable and safe.
Long shoehorn
A shoehorn like this one with an extra-long handle can quickly become a staple in your senior loved one’s daily routine.
Stand assist
Getting up from a seated position can become more challenging with age. A stand-assist device like Able Life’s Universal Stand Assist can offer a simple and effective solution to the challenges of standing up or sitting down. The gift of independence is priceless.
Car mobility aid
Getting in and out of a car can pose a real challenge for seniors or those with mobility issues. This struggle can make simple tasks like running errands or visiting friends an ordeal, but the Stander Automobility Solution combo pack is an excellent solution to this issue.
Elastic shoelaces
Xpand elastic no-tie shoelaces make putting on shoes hassle-free. Your loved one can forget about bending down or grappling with dexterity issues. They can slide into their shoes and move on with their day when they have no-tie shoelaces.
Practical gifts for seniors
Giving gifts that your loved one will actually use is such a satisfying feeling. Choose a gift from this list, and you might just hear “I’ve been meaning to get one of these!” this holiday.
Push-button pill organizer
The EZY DOSE push-button pill case is a handy and easy-to-use organizer that simplifies the daily routine. Dealing with multiple pills is one thing, but wrestling with a pill organizer is another. This case has push buttons to make it easier than ever to keep up with medication schedules.
Identity protection roller stamp
Scammers try to steal personal information from people in many ways. The Lomil confidential roller stamp covers personal information on documents with no need for an ink pad.
Bedside caddy
The Lilithye bedside storage organizer is a practical tool to keep all the essentials close so your loved one doesn’t lose their phone, glasses, remote, or water bottle while lounging in bed.
Purse hook
The Clipa2 bag hanger will help minimize the risk of theft or losing personal belongings while out and about at restaurants.
Robotic vacuum
This iRobot robotic vacuum simplifies cleaning by allowing scheduling through a smartphone app, making it a convenient option for maintaining a tidy home with minimal effort.
It might feel like this list is less of a gift guide for seniors and more of a checklist, where you could see yourself giving all of these gifts to your loved one. You can’t go wrong with adding any of them to your shopping list this year. Choosing one will surely bring a smile to your older adult loved one’s face for any special occasion.
