Has anyone got some origional ideas for presents for elderly people?

I feel sorry for old people because they always get food, sweets, flowers, fancy writing paper, smellies, a nighty or slippers year in %26amp; year out from everyone! They end up sharing the sweets %26amp; food coz they cant eat it all themselves, open their drawer %26amp; you will find endless supply of unopened fancy soap %26amp; smellies, they can no longer write long letters %26amp; need lined paper now, they usually have certain footwear they can/cannot comfortably wear %26amp; stick to favourite nighties. They even get flowers all through the year %26amp; prefer simple personal bunches from the garden.


I know we ALL get a certain amount of repeat prezzies but how boring having to get exited when every one is the same or similar to the last....


Lets hear some simple thoughtful ideas that will make them smile.

Has anyone got some origional ideas for presents for elderly people?
My Father in law was quite active..loved his garden and DIY. I watched him one Christmas opening socks etc..no thought had gone into any of them. From then on I got a sturdy cardboard box into which went packs of screws, seed labels, seeds he wouldn't normally use as a novelty, a couple of new paint brushes, ball of string in fact any item that could be of use...all year we added little useful things perhaps a lighter or garden knife and the look on his face as he waded through this lucky dip was a joy to behold. I suppose something similar could make up a box for an older woman..just lots of little things that make up the final present. A nice comb on its own isn't much...but added to lots of other goodies it is...no big cost..just see something when you are out shopping and think " That would do for Grans/Grandads box.
Reply:Look in any elderly person's linen closet and most likely, you'll find dingy, threadbare towels. A fresh new towel or two would be much appreciated.


The ladies enjoy brooches or necklaces they can slip on over their heads. Many of them no longer wear jewelry because they can't handle the clasps.


A deck of playing cards or a checker board might be appreciated if you stay around and play a game or two.


If they have a VCR or DVD player, pick some appropriate movies or collections of TV shows they might enjoy.


Books on tape are enjoyed by many seniors whose eyesight is failing.
Reply:I adore anything anyone actually makes. An apron sewn by loving hands, a birdhouse, a plate of cookies, a jar of homemade jelly, art projects done in crayon, or a poem. They all warm my heart. However, I also like the things you mentioned, and all the answers above this one had great ideas. Mostly, I am just happy to be remembered on special occasions.
Reply:All occassion cards, with stamped, addressed envelopes. All they have to do is sign them, and they're ready to go. Maybe a stamp of their name and address would be good. Offer to drive them to church or the beauty shop or the doctor. It can be hard to get around.





The best gift is probably visiting them. Old can be very lonely.
Reply:If you cant personally give your time, stamps are helpful plus an assortment of nice cards that they can send to friends throughout the year for birthdays or get well cards. Gift cards for hair cuts, to their grocery, to their pharmacy (like Wallgreens) or for a meal out at a local restaurant.
Reply:Have their Grandchildren or Children read and record some of their favorite reading material. It could be religious or ridiculous!..:) Anything from recipes to poetry. If recorded in the voices of the ones they love. I'm sure it would be a hit! P. S. Be sure and get them a player to listen to the tapes or CD's.
Reply:Pay their heating bill for a year.


Arrange a box of essential foods for a year.


Make sure that they get a visit from their relatives.


The occasional day out.
Reply:If they are family members you could find all those old photographs of them and family members and do a photo album, or try and do a family tree or give them a great party


with all the family.


c
Reply:A magnifying glass specially designed for people with bad eyes, so they can read. Lots of old people who used to love reading can't read anymore because they can't see the word, so this would be quite a good gift.
Reply:I quilted a lap blanket for my FIL. We got it back after he passed on and I use it all the time. They are useful and warm and can be fun to make.
Reply:If they still write to people give them stationery with stamps attached. If they are in a nursing home, pictures for their walls %26amp; pictures of family %26amp; friends. Lettters are always good.
Reply:Invite them to lunch. Supermarket gift cards, they can purchase what they need. Favorite magazine subscription.
Reply:A gift card for foot message and pedicure, manicure. or a back massage also check out reflexology Edit I just read kickers answer he is so correct they also like the new Nintendo wii
Reply:The very best gift you can give is your time. Not necessarily to do anything or go anywhere, but just sit and listen.
Reply:Take them out around the town, shopping and a little to eat.


Or just drive to their delight especially if they are usually shut in
Reply:the nice gift you can give is a company. they need someone to talk to. its nice if you can bring them to the parks
Reply:The things that speak to my heart are not things you can pick up with you hands. I'm guessing its the same for them too.
Reply:look around on the internet see if you can find a newspaper replica from the day they were born or married etc old people love to reminise about the old days
Reply:a night at the theatre?





a day out round the shops so that they can pick whatever they want?
Reply:talking books - buy them on dvd or video


electric plug-in massage chair pad
Reply:Cash is best.
Reply:I would like anything you mentioned. Is something wrong with me?
Reply:Cash is king!
Reply:I'm featuring elderly as somewhat infirm -- those with pain and the loss of stamina -- so I'm answering from that perspective. Thinking of my mother in her nursing home. Her energy is feeble. What I send is six chocolates from Godiva or anybody else. She can keep them in her bedside drawer and have one a day. Lotion. She has the self-preservation approach and can feel better about her aging, drying skin by taking care of it, in a bottle small enough that it doesn't hog the drawer, and doesn't require a lot of effort. Lotion shouldn't be perfumed. That's alcohol which dries the skin further. It should contain botanicals and/or our newest, best lubricants. She is bathed by staff. She finds watering plants too much of a chore, and used to arrange flowers, so flowers depress her. For accidents, great gifts are a constant supply of her favorite kind of underwear [all cotton.]
Reply:This is not a joke, but my girlfriend who is a state registered nurse , works in an elderly care home for residents who have severe mental and emotional problems, and the best present that the care home had was an old playstation 2 and a few rubbishy old games. The residents were up most nights competing against each other in various racing games and they even had teams of players. It was an absolutely brilliant thing to see these oldies , laughing , jeering and having such good fun with each other. It was all ok until a manager came from the regional office and took it away, he was outraged that these poor old dears was having a good time. They was so miserable and gloomy that it spurred me into searching the charity shops for another one. Lo and behold , they remain happy , competitive and having such laughter and fun . I know it its not a present that old people would want , but you should see these old ones having such a ball. Im not telling you to buy this , i thought id just share this with you ...
Reply:Perhaps large print versions of favorite reading material woud be an idea for those whose eye sight is not what it used to be..I know that the bible and other reading materials have been recorded on tapes,cds etc..so that one can listen to them on a personal media player equiped with head phones..(this may be an idea for those whose hearing is not too far gone) or what about makeing a photo book for them with some favorite photos enlarged to make them easier to see, just remember not to make the book too big or heavy because some elderly have hands that are not as strong and flexable as they use to be...I know that my mom alway enjoyed having a container of body or hand lotion near by and tubes of chap stick or lip moisturizer. But you need to be careful about many of the cosemetic things,some elderly cant use them because thier skin can be very sensitive to ingredients in some products.


A holder to keep reading glasses handy that would attach to a wheel chair or clip on to clothing may be another idea..or maybe you could record a family get together on tape or cd and give it to the person if they are unable to attend..the grandkids could all help to be "movie stars' in the video and "show off" any new talents they have learned . Everyone could record a special message for the person.


These are just some ideas , I realize that the elderly have many different limitations and some of these suggestion may work better for some than for others...but I hope they help you..