Holiday gift guide for people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers

Holiday gatherings begin to feel differently when a family member and loved one is living with Alzheimer’s. That’s why the Alzheimer’s Association created a guide for thoughtful gift-giving.  The idea is to help keep the holidays a meaningful and loving time.

If you have a family member or friend experiencing Alzheimer’s or know of a caregiver that is also dealing with Alzheimer’s, this guide from The Alzheimer’s Association can help!  

Alzheimer’s gift guide – the early stages

Items to help remember things:

• Magnetic reminder refrigerator pads
• Post-it notes
• Baskets or trays that can be labeled within cabinets or drawers
• A small pocket-size diary or notebook
• Erasable whiteboards for key rooms in the house
• A memorable calendar featuring family photos – write in special family occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries

Items to help with everyday tasks:

• A memory phone that can store up to eight pictures with the names and contact information of family and friends
• Automatic medication dispenser that can help the person living with Alzheimer’s remember to take medicine
• Nightlights that come on automatically when it gets dark
• A clock with the date and time in large type

Items to help keep the person engaged:

• An outing to a movie, play or concert, sporting event, museum or possibly an organized holiday shopping trip with friends and family
• Favorite musical CDs or a CD with a compilation of favorite tunes DVD collection of favorite movies
• Activities such as scrapbooking or other craft projects
• Activity gifts that can give a sense of accomplishment
• Wooden toolbox set (includes wooden tools, nails, screws, nuts and bolts)
• Lacing beads (large wooden beads and a shoelace)
• Magnetic spelling trays
• Flower arranging (fake flowers, foam block and a vase or basket)
• Plastic nuts and bolts set
• Having your loved one help in making homemade gifts for the family (painting ornaments, decorating stockings, table setting decorations or place cards, etc.)

Alzheimer’s gift guide – middle-to-late stages

Gifts that stimulate the five senses may bring back pleasant memories:

• Scented lotion
• A fluffy bathrobe in a favorite color
• A soft blanket or afghan to keep warm
• Comfortable clothes that are easy to remove and washable, such as sweatsuits, knits, large banded socks, shoes with Velcro ties, wrinkle-free nightgowns, nightshirts or robes
• Music – research shows that music has a positive impact on individuals with Alzheimer’s bringing them back to good times, increasing stimulation and providing an opportunity to interact with family members
• Framed photographs or a photo collage – insert the names of the people in the photo and put in frames or in a photo album created specifically for that person
• Enroll the person in MedicAlert, a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for wandering and medical emergencies.
• Soothing gifts that can help with anxiety
• Weighted blankets
• Weighted fidget mat
• Handheld massage ball
• Diffuser with lavender essential oil
• Activity and sensory apron
• Gelwave activity pad
• Stuffed animal
• Photo blanket
• Sensory pillow or wrist cuff
• Diffuser with lavender essential oil
• Gifts for caregivers

The most important gift you can give a caregiver is the gift of time:

• Self-made coupons for cleaning the house, cooking a meal, mowing the lawn or shoveling the driveway
• Time off so a caregiver can do something to meet their needs
• Gift cards and certificates for restaurants, laundry/dry cleaning services, lawn care services, computer/technology support, maid services, and personal pampering services such as massages and pedicures
• Books – in addition to giving novels on the caregiver’s “must read” list, there are a number of books on caregiving

 

Related reading:

• FDA approves much-debated Alzheimer’s drug panned by experts

• Rate of Alzheimer’s in Utahns expected to rise dramatically by 2025

• Time change frequently a hard time for Alzheimer’s patients