Family began asking what they could get my mom for Christmas this year. She is in an assisted living facility studio apartment with very limited room (we had to discard so very much to even get her moved in). She has no need for things, clothes or even money or gift cards at this point. I did suggest that my niece write a letter about memories of her grandmother, but was wondering if anyone had other ideas that were worthwhile and appreciated? Thinking of you all this holiday season.
i just finished reading a book about the moonshiners of virginia. i know this is a bit off topic but nonetheless comical. an old bootlegger was on his deathbed and a preacher was trying to differentiate heaven and/ or hell to him. the old guy had had such a hard life that he proclaimed that either place sounded better than he was used to. great book. tales of the moonshine trade.
anyway, some seat cushions are gel filled and some are even relieved to accomodate hemmorhoids.
At 91, he is learning to use the electric carts in stores and has a lot of fun following us around the wide aisles at Home Depot or the grocery store. He almost never knocks things over. When he does, we laugh, pick them up and keep moving. This kind of outing gives him a change of pace. Sometimes, we just take him for a drive out into the country or up in the mountains. Again, a change of scenery seems to cheer him up.
The other thing that he appreciates is being taken out for lunch or dinner. He has gotten bored with the food where he lives and so a change is always welcome. He doesn't eat much, so we get a to-go box which sits in the frig until I throw it away sometime later.
A thing that I am thinking of getting Dad this year is an electronic frame loaded with pictures of friends and family. I will load it up and leave it running next to his comfortable chair. That way, he can see familiar faces and places whenever he wants.
- A large print magazine subscription
- A bulletin board - if they can still do & be OK with push pins then a cork board. But if push pins are too iffy for them to handle, then a metal one and magnets to go on it. For my mom when she was in IL, they had so many "hand-outs" from weekly activities info, monthly schedule, menu's, etc that she had 2 metal boards (Ikea) and lots of bright big magnets (Ikea kid dept and some from Office Depot). When she moved to NH, had them up but the cutest magnets "walked" so if you do this, think about how much traffic might go into her room before you get some that she would be upset if they walk. If you go to trade shows for work, there always are someone giving out magnets and the nice hefty ones too.
If Mom is a tea drinker and there are limited kinds of tea available in the dining room, perhaps a nice assortment of tea would be welcome. That is the kind of thing that takes knowledge of Mom and also of the facility. You are the one who could come up with that kind of suggestion. The family is lucky to have you to consult with.
My Mom loves crossword books. They have the advantage of being consumable -- once she fills it out, it can be recycled and not take up room.
If many family members live close, then individual visits would be great. And/or a group event in the facility's community room, if Mom is up to the commotion of a "party."
My Mom (93, dementia) is still in position to receive material things. If she gets new pajamas, my sister will simply retire her raggiest pair to the rag bag. But I know that she also loves just getting cards. My husband did not really need any material things, though at least we had room for it if someone gave him a shirt. But my husband definitely LOVED getting personal mail.
Keep those cards and letters coming, folks!