My dad will soon be 82. He has short-term memory issues that are getting worse, but is able to continue to live on his own. Every year, my sibling and I struggle with what to give him for Christmas. He misplaces LOTS of things as soon as we give them to him, so in the past couple years, we've given him his favorite pantry foods...like sugar-free cookies, canned oysters, crackers, cashews, soups, etc. But, I'm curious if anyone has any other ideas.
great idea thank you
What brand(s)of clothing are toasty? Would an electric lap blanket be useful when he's watching tv? This house is an old victorian, and can get drafty at times. I have hot water bottles for his feet in bed and thick flannel sheets. Electric socks?
What snacks seem to work best-his appetite has been off, and he seems tired of the Pepperidge Farm goldfish, not too interested in chips or pretzels. Are there mildly spiced, crunchy exotic snacks to try?
The digital picture frames look nice, would that be a good gift?
I made him mitts...with the fingers free to move. You might find some at a crafts fair, or a sports store.
Would he like instant soups, like you can microwave or add hot water?
We give my MIL who has advanced dementia short photo albums with pictures of the family throughout the year. We label each picture with names, relationships to her, the activity and date.
She also enjoys fruit arrangements, flowers and meals from a local restaurant that delivers.
An Amazon Echo device is also a perfect gift because he can ask Alexa questions, play any music he loves, find out about the latest news, etc. A great feature is that you can program it from your phone to set alarms for him to wake up or set up reminders for anything you want.
If he's hard of hearing and refuses to wear hearing aids, get him a wireless headset for TV watching so he's not blasting the TV.
A key finder keychain if he's always losing his keys.
A microwaveable heating pad for aches and pains.
A lamp with bright led lighting next to his reading chair.
A standing food order one day a week from his favorite food place.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pop-Up-It-Fidget-Toy-Rainbow-Unicorn-Push-On-Bubble-Sensory-Toys-2-Pack-Anxiety-Stress-Relief-Autism-Learning-Materials-Squeeze-Kids-Teens-Office-Old/123995557
An adult coloring book and colored pencils for his good days.
Something fragrant that he can’t set on fire.
A hand rail for the shower (you’ll have to install it but you can locate the studs above the tiles)
An m&m dispenser
CBD oil
A large piece solar system jigsaw puzzle with 48 pieces. You can do it together or he can work it out.
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/11911893264868853479?q=kids+floor+puzzles&client=safari&hl=en-us&biw=375&bih=632&tbs=cat:2618,vw:g,init_ar:SgVKAwi6FA%3D%3D,ss:44&prmd=simxvn&prds=eto:13319106919794290356_0,cdl:1,prmr:1,cs:1
So--no piles of family pics to sort through--just digital photos. I send and email a couple times a year to the entire family and tell them to send new pics to the skylights. It's small and unobtrusive.
It's a good group gift and can be updated via your cellphone.
Neither mother not MIL will leave their homes for any kind of holiday party or dinner, so this kind of keeps them updated on the kids' lives.
Ask volunteers to visit him.
Contact local colleges / churches to see if interns or volunteers would visit - or do an activity with him, i.e., finger painting or doing a puzzle together.
Don't know if this is possible - I LOVE taking AmTrak everywhere I can figure out where to go. A short ride - a few hours ? the scenery is often spectacular although that isn't as important as the experience and being able to enjoy - being engaged - looking out the window.
* I am in Marin County and have taken AmTrak train (from Emeryville) to Reno many times over the years due to the beauty of nature / the (hopefully) snow in the Sierras. I only go in the winter time hoping to experience the snow. Once I saw a blizzard. While I go for the views, the hotel (El Dorado) is 1/2 block away . . . some of the best restaurants in there . . . and the roulette table calls me over.
* * *
Gena
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=alzheimers+clock+for+adults&crid=34Y5IG8TMDTLB&sprefix=alzheimers+clock%2Caps%2C194&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_16
My mother loved it until her dementia advanced to the point where she can't remember to look at it anymore.
A day trip and your time are also great.
I brought coffee, tea and olive oil as gifts when I went to Israel. They were huge hits.
Amazon has a great small digital clock for her nightstand that shows date, day of the week and outside temperature.
A good idea also.
How about a ride to see the Christmas lights or to Christmas villages? Holiday events that are a ride away. He will spend time with you and your sibling and maybe enjoy the event. Lunch out while you are doing it. He can't misplace it since it's not a "thing".
Would he like something like that?