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Home » Blog » Alzheimer's » RESOURCES » Gift Ideas For Your Loved One With Dementia

December 23, 2019 By Rena McDaniel 46 Comments

Gift Ideas For Your Loved One With Dementia

 

image of a christmas tree with red ornaments

 

Trying to find a gift for someone who has dementia can be hard. I know that the things my mother used to love are no longer relevant in her life these days. Gone are the subscription to quilting magazines, embroidery patterns, and all of those crafty things she used to love to do. The sewing machine that was the center of her life for 50 years hasn’t been uncovered since the quilt she made last year. It sits in the spare room collecting dust.

I have a few ideas for some things that are special only to her, but I thought that maybe if I were struggling so hard to think of things to get for her then someone else may be as well. I thought I would do a little research for some of the top gifts for someone who suffers from dementia.

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Alzheimer's, AWARENESS, AWARENESS, CAREGIVING, RESOURCES, RESOURCES, TIPS, TIPS Tagged With: Alzheimer's resources, Caregiver resources, Caregiver tips, Christmas, Dec, gift ideas, holidays

About Rena McDaniel

I'm a recovering Alzheimer's Caregiver, a former loving daughter, a current wife, mom, and grandma who remembers all too clearly what it is like on the front lines of Alz Caregiving. I provide real advice, pro tips, or excellent tools from my own experiences and other experts I find along the way. A community of caregivers supporting each other!

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Comments

  1. nancy@skinnykitchen.com says

    December 7, 2015 at 8:34 am

    What a wonderful list Rena!

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 7, 2015 at 6:34 pm

      Thanks Nancy! I hope it helps.

      Reply
  2. Carol Cassara says

    December 7, 2015 at 9:04 am

    These are absolutely wonderful ideas. Bless you, Rena, for coming up with them.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 7, 2015 at 6:36 pm

      Thanks so much Carol. I appreciate your kind words.

      Reply
  3. CARLA says

    December 7, 2015 at 9:13 am

    Im sad so so many of us need this guide.
    But we do.
    So thank you very much
    <3

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 7, 2015 at 6:37 pm

      So very true Carla! Thanks.

      Reply
  4. Mithra Ballesteros says

    December 7, 2015 at 9:18 am

    It’s a very thoughtful list, Rena. Thank you. It can be so hard at the holidays when a loved one has changed. I remember one Christmas buying my grandma a doll. She slept with it every night.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 7, 2015 at 6:38 pm

      That’s true Mithra! Things that we would think of as silly are usually what they love the most. Mom has several dolls and stuffed animals that she loves very much.

      Reply
  5. Haralee says

    December 7, 2015 at 9:29 am

    These are great ideas. A soft throw is also good just to feel all cozy.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 7, 2015 at 6:39 pm

      Great idea Haralee! I hope people find what they need!

      Reply
  6. Carol Graham says

    December 7, 2015 at 9:50 am

    What an awesome idea — I never would have thought of that. How thoughtful of you to do the research and share that for people who must struggle with what to gift their loved ones who have dementia.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 7, 2015 at 6:40 pm

      Thanks so much Carol. It gets harder and harder every year.

      Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    December 7, 2015 at 11:06 am

    Thank you for this!! I would’ve had no idea what to get as a gift. My dear friends mother in law has just been moved nearer and she has dementia. Now I know what to suggest for my girlfriend to get her!

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 7, 2015 at 6:41 pm

      Thanks so much Jennifer! I am so happy to help.

      Reply
  8. Julie Jo Severson says

    December 7, 2015 at 11:22 am

    Oh, these really get the wheels turning for ideas for my Mom with Parkinson’s. The radio ideas for instance. She can reach over and turn hers on anymore or even push a button. I love that lift and play music radio idea. I wonder if it can be set to a specific station. I need to find her an easier remote for her TV, too. Thanks for these resources!

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 7, 2015 at 7:00 pm

      I am so happy to help Julie. I was looking at the same thing.

      Reply
  9. Rabia @TheLiebers says

    December 7, 2015 at 11:40 am

    What a sweet list! I’m sure there are lots of people who will appreciate it.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 7, 2015 at 7:01 pm

      Thank you Rabia!

      Reply
  10. Cathy Chester says

    December 7, 2015 at 12:23 pm

    Great ideas, Rena. We just returned from visiting with my in-laws in FL where my FIL is suffering with dementia. He sleeps all day and doesn’t read the paper like he used to. We’ll do whatever we can to help!

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 7, 2015 at 7:02 pm

      That’s so hard Cathy! I am going to PM you.

      Reply
  11. dltolley says

    December 7, 2015 at 12:36 pm

    Wonderful! Every one!

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 7, 2015 at 7:03 pm

      Thank Diane! I’m finding out that there are other diseases besides Alzheimer’s that these would be ideal for.

      Reply
  12. Carolann says

    December 7, 2015 at 1:05 pm

    All great ideas for sure. I love the socks..everyone loves them! What a thoughtful and wonderful list!

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 7, 2015 at 7:05 pm

      Thanks Carolann! I love those socks too and have actually already ordered a pair for her and I both.

      Reply
  13. Karen @BakingInATornado says

    December 7, 2015 at 1:44 pm

    I love these ideas, Rena. I even want to check out that “word searches” for me.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 7, 2015 at 7:10 pm

      I am glad that you like them. Karen! I loe word searches too and mom is crazy about them. That’s all she really has left that she enjoys.

      Reply
  14. Beth Havey says

    December 7, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    Thanks for this, Rena. My mother received a battery operated dog. It moved it’s head. I disliked the thing intensely, but she thought it was real and extended some love to it. You have to accept and realize the worth of such a gift.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 7, 2015 at 6:31 pm

      So very true Beth. Mom loves things like that as well. Hope you have a happy holiday!

      Reply
  15. pia says

    December 7, 2015 at 9:01 pm

    Wonderful list. Nothing is infantilizing.

    Amazon has an amazing product called Amazon Echo–it’s in the shape of a cylinder and has 6 speakers. It will play any music on Amazon Prime, any of your itunes library, give the weather, time, and they’re constantly upgrading it as it’s really a voice activated computer.

    The sound quality is amazing and you can move it from room to room. Does need an electric outlet and I bought the remote as its almost impossible to get the sound exactly the way you like it without it.

    Once you download the initial set up into your smartphone (takes a minute) you only have to say “Alexa play….” or whatever

    Reply
  16. Monica says

    December 7, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    Hi Rena,
    I would love for you to check out the products I have designed specifically for people with dementia at http://www.mind-start.com. Thanks for getting the word out about appropriate gift ideas to those who need it.

    Reply
  17. Corinne Rodrigues says

    December 7, 2015 at 11:00 pm

    What a thoughtful post, Rena. I’m sharing because I’m sure it will help many!

    Reply
  18. Leanne@crestingthehill says

    December 8, 2015 at 12:36 am

    love the ideas Rena but I think I’d skip Pete the Repeat Parrot – one person repeating themselves endlessly is more than I can handle (let alone a parrot echoing them along the way!)

    Reply
  19. Liv says

    December 11, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    Great list Rena. A no stress alarm clock sounds good for everyone!

    Reply
  20. Glenda Williams says

    December 18, 2015 at 7:40 am

    What a delightful blog. I too, took care of my Mom who had Alzheimer’s. She passed in 1998. That was one of the hardest things I ever had to go through because my Mom was my best friend. I am so glad that you are able to treasure your special moments with your Mom as they will sustain you for many years.

    My Mom’s favorite thing as she progressed through her illness was a “tickle me Ernie” doll. She treated it like a real baby. A few years later while working in the hospital I took a couple of bath towels, a small roll of gauze and fashioned them into a makeshift doll for one of my patients who also had dementia. She loved that doll so much and took it with her when she moved to the next level of care.

    The ladies never seem to lose their maternal instinct and are comforted by being able to cuddle with and comfort their “baby”. I also witnessed another lady be able to sing along to an old hymn long after she had lost her ability to talk meaningfully.

    So I can say with some authority that you have provided a good list here. Thank you.

    Glenda

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      January 3, 2016 at 11:55 pm

      Thank you so much Glenda! I’m so sorry that it took me so long to answer your comment. We had a death in our family the day before you left your wonderful comment. I think of my own mother the same way. I’m always saying, “your my bestest friend”. Its a little joke between us. Something my daughter used to say to us when she was really little. We hare four generations of women now and its beautiful to watch them all interact with each other. Thank you once again.

      Reply
  21. Haralee says

    December 14, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    great ideas a year ago, still great!

    Reply
  22. Beth Havey says

    December 14, 2016 at 2:16 pm

    Everything you do, Rena, is full of love and giving. This is a wonderful post.

    Reply
  23. Bonnie K. Aldinger says

    December 14, 2016 at 4:23 pm

    This is so very kind and thoughtful. Happy holidays to you and yours!

    Reply
  24. Abby@midlifecrisisnut.com says

    December 15, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    Oh, I just love the voice command alarm. I wonder though if it responds to some common curse words. Like when all you want to do is stay in bed and it does the annoying beep, beep, beep… Wishing you and your loved ones Merry and healthy Christmas! Sending you lots of love! xx Abby

    Reply
  25. Haralee says

    December 6, 2017 at 10:40 am

    Great suggestions.The parrot is a hoot but may want to do bodily harm to it once the novelty wears off!

    Reply
  26. Kathleen Calado says

    December 7, 2017 at 11:21 pm

    Thank you for this wonderful list of ideas! Been planning to send my mom gifts along with her other friends in an elderly home care services in Chicago. Keep up the great work!! 🙂

    Reply
  27. in home care says

    May 8, 2018 at 12:58 pm

    That is very thoughtful. What can I say… That might help them regain their memory.

    Reply
  28. Lior Nachshon says

    December 20, 2018 at 2:13 am

    Great ideas! I love the activity blanket.Thanks for sharing the wonderful idea. 🙂

    Reply
  29. Sara Jones says

    December 25, 2018 at 1:23 pm

    Wow!
    Really great ideas!
    thank you so much!

    Reply
  30. Meredith Smith says

    December 28, 2018 at 12:32 pm

    Thank you Rena!
    You are really great ! ❤ ❤ ❤ From you, a special inspiration who is suffering from Dementia . I love and respect your ideas!
    I am sharing important info who are suffering from dementia diseases:
    Stem cells therapy – the key treatment mode used in Swiss Medica clinic – is based on the insertion of new adult stem cells into mutilated tissue. Many specialists are sure that this method has the potential to alleviate the suffering of patients with Dementia. Stem cells have the unique ability to self-renew; they stimulate subsequent generating of certain tissues and the whole body.

    Reply
  31. Lior Nachshon says

    February 4, 2019 at 11:40 pm

    Wow! These are the wonderful ideas.. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply

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