That was particularly true with my parents when they were still alive. It took so little to make them happy, and it had much more to do with showering them with love and attention than anything in the boxes they opened.
This time of the year can be tough for seniors. We lead such hectic lives that it's easy to forget those who sit at home waiting for someone to call or come by. Being remembered during the holiday season and included in family festivities is crucial to a senior's emotional well-being.
But buying gifts for seniors can be challenging too, especially when that family member may already have all they need and are in that time of life when they are giving things away rather than accumulating. So, what are you to do?
Begin by recognizing that regardless of how much a family member may protest receiving gifts, just knowing that someone cares enough to consider their needs and takes time to shop just for them is the most important part of the present. Then assess their lifestyle. Is it changing? For example, if mobility offers challenges, you could buy a swivel seat cushion, folding travel cane, or wheel chair accessories.
If they are getting out less to shop, consider having a gift basket filled with fresh fruits, cakes and muffins, or gourmet cheeses and crackers delivered to their door regularly. They will anticipate its arrival, and you will know that they are enjoying special treats without having to leave home. Visit www.adorablegiftbaskets.com for more ideas.
Adaptive attire may be in order for those who suffer with Alzheimer's, arthritis or other physical disabilities--adjustable footwear for a widening foot or swollen ankles, special care socks for diabetics, and easy-to-slip-on-and-wash garments that have Velcro or snap closures. Visit www.silverts.com (or call 800-387-7088) for a variety of fashion solutions to difficult problems.
Fill a senior's time with the gift of entertainment. Order music from the 1950's or Big Band era. Favorite songs and show tunes from old movies encourage remembering and story telling. To promote mental agility, buy the "For the Record" game, with its guitar-shaped game board, available in an oldies edition with questions from the 1950's, 60's and 70's, or the master edition of the "Reminiscing Game" with hundreds of movie trivia questions going back to 1939. Visit Wellhaven Gifts for Seniors at www.wellhaven.com for these items and more.
Adaptive attire may be in order for those who suffer with Alzheimer's, arthritis or other physical disabilities--adjustable footwear for a widening foot or swollen ankles, special care socks for diabetics, and easy-to-slip-on-and-wash garments that have Velcro or snap closures. Visit www.silverts.com (or call 800-387-7088) for a variety of fashion solutions to difficult problems.
Fill a senior's time with the gift of entertainment. Order music from the 1950's or Big Band era. Favorite songs and show tunes from old movies encourage remembering and story telling. To promote mental agility, buy the "For the Record" game, with its guitar-shaped game board, available in an oldies edition with questions from the 1950's, 60's and 70's, or the master edition of the "Reminiscing Game" with hundreds of movie trivia questions going back to 1939. Visit Wellhaven Gifts for Seniors at www.wellhaven.com for these items and more.
Remember, though, that best gift of all is your love. Include seniors in the holiday planning. Encourage them to cook or bake their specialty, so they will still feel useful. Carve a time during the festivities when the seniors in the room share stories of the past. They will love being the center of attention, and you will ensure that the younger ones in the room will learn about their heritage. Give lots of hugs and kisses. Seniors are often touch deprived.
And say I love you often...to everyone in your life. We never know when it might be our last chance to do so.
Merry Christmas to you all, and I hope 2010 will be your most blessed year yet!
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