Choosing the right (or any) gifts for the elderly can be challenging. What do you get for someone who says they don't really need anything?

Well, search no more! I have included over 100 gift suggestions in the series of articles below.

While asking the elderly about practical gift suggestions, it also got me thinking about other types of gifts.

As I thought and asked more about gifts when spending time with elderly folks and their families, I understood that gifts can come in many shapes, sizes and forms.

There are practical gifts that can be wrapped and delivered. There is also giving the gift of time, which can sometimes be the hardest to make time for but also the most treasured.

There are ways to give gifts of thoughtfulness and the gift of improving the quality of the time you do spend together.

I began to think more broadly about gifts for the elderly and the topic blossomed from there.

The articles written on gifts will give you whatever you need: practical gift suggestions, gifts for the elderly with sensory impairments (hearing, vision and cognition), gifts of creating quality time and gifts for connecting with your aging parent with dementia.

Gift Ideas for the Elderly

Gift Ideas for the Elderly is an article which provides practical, functional, safety and fun gift suggestions (don't worry, we wouldn't forget fun).

These suggestions came directly from elderly people themselves (mostly). As an occupational therapist, I couldn't help myself and had to throw in a couple of safety equipment suggestions as well.

There are at least 50 gift suggestions, with most of the ideas being gifts for the elderly that are affordable and can be wrapped up or sent to your loved one.

There is also a small section to get you thinking of ways to spend time together, which can be a wonderful form of gift giving. This is expanded on in more details in other articles such as Gifts for Elderly: Spending Quality Time Together.

Gifts of service are also very beneficial for the elderly (and much appreciated!).

This article includes a section at the bottom that outlines the top 10 gift suggestions as reported by seniors I have worked with over the years.

To read this article: Gift Ideas for the Elderly

Gift Ideas for the Elderly with Hearing, Vision and Cognitive Issues

I wanted to include a section with functional gift suggestions for typical conditions that affect the elderly.

This article includes mostly functional ideas so that your gifts for the elderly can be both practical and helpful. Many of the ideas outlined in this article will make life easier - for everyone!

My dad isn't quite "elderly" but he does suffer from hearing loss. I must admit his last birthday gift was from this list (headphones for watching TV) and both he and my mom thank me all the time.

There are over 75 gift suggestions specific to elderly with hearing, vision and/or cognitive issues. Take a look and see if you can find something that will be useful for your loved one.

To read this article: Gift Ideas for the Elderly with Hearing, Vision and Cognitive Issues

Birthday Gifts for Elderly

Many of the gift suggestions made in Gift Ideas for the Elderly will also make good gifts for birthdays for your elderly loved one.

I've saved a couple of good ones just for birthday gifts for elderly, though, so be sure to check this article out.

There are a few new suggestions I thought would be more special for birthdays. There are also some gifts for the elderly that are more in the "expensive" range - but can make a big difference in their lives.

To read this article: Birthday Gifts for Elderly

Christmas Gift for the Elderly

I couldn't include a special section for birthday gifts for the elderly and not include one for Christmas (my favourite time of year).

Christmas is a special time of the year for many people and it's always fun to give a memorable christmas gift for the elderly!

Whereas many of our other articles contain gift ideas for all occasions, this article focuses on suggestions specific to the Christmas season.

To read this article: Christmas Gift for the Elderly

Gifts for Elderly: Spending Quality Time Together

Have you ever felt a bit at a loss for how to improve the time you spend with your elderly parent? Often, as our parents age, we realize that they will not be around forever and feel a need to make the time spent together count!

I spent a lot of time and effort connecting with the elderly and their families to get advice on how to make the most of the time we do get to spend together. Most elderly told me over and over that loved ones spending time with them is one of the best gifts for the elderly they could ever receive.

This article includes advice from families, my experience working with the elderly and research on the best techniques for improving quality time with the elderly.

There are suggestions for how to make visits memorable at any age and stage, how to connect from afar and ideas for ways to spend time together.

To read this article: Gifts for Elderly: Spending Quality Time Together

Gifts for Elderly: Spending Quality Time With Elderly With Dementia

Spending time with elderly with dementia can be frustrating and heart breaking at the same time - you're not alone. It can be difficult to connect with elderly with dementia - so I've put together some tips and ideas to help.

This article takes the ideas from Gifts for Elderly: Spending Quality Time Together and adapts these ideas specifically to spending time with elderly with dementia.

To read this article: Gifts for Elderly: Spending Quality Time with Elderly with Dementia

Connections: Gifts for Elderly with Dementia

It can be very frustrating and upsetting to see your loved one seemingly taken away by dementia. It can also be very difficult to understand how to make the time you spend together quality time when your loved one is no longer the same as they were.

I understand how upsetting this process can be and have put together some suggestions for how to make the time spent together valuable, both for you and your loved one.

I don't think there could be any better gift than learning some ways to improve your connections with your loved one with dementia.

This article gives a brief overview of dementia and how it can affect your loved one. It also has a few key tips and ideas for making visits easier and more pleasant.

To read this article: Connections: Gifts for Elderly with Dementia

To understand more about dementia, please read our article on Elderly Dementia.

Gifts for Elderly: More Tips and Ideas for Spending Quality Time with Elderly with Dementia

Here are 16 more ideas for how to improve your communication and the quality of the time you spend with your loved one with dementia.

These tried and true suggestions will contain at least one golden nugget that will help you and your loved one better enjoy your time together, which - of course - is the ultimate of gifts for the elderly.

To read this article: Gifts for Elderly: More Tips and Ideas for Spending Quality Time with Elderly with Dementia

Like Caring-for-Aging-Parents.com?