Great Holiday Gift Ideas for Caregivers and Care Receivers
Dec 13, 2013
The holiday season is creeping closer and closer, and for many, it means it's time to go out shopping for friends and family.
This year, don't forget about two special people on your lists: Caregivers and Care Receivers. Both can find time around the holidays particularly stressful, with additional family members around, extra planning, organizing, and much more. On top of this, every day activities of taking care of a loved one are always around, too. This kind of help for caregivers can make a big difference.
So when you are out shopping and thinking of gifts for people on your list, consider a couple of these items (free and otherwise!) for Caregivers and Care Receivers:
For the Caregiver:
- Hugs, hugs, hugs
- The gift of listening
- Time! Anything to give the caregiver time
- Shopping spree
- Ticket to a show (respite care offered)
- Gift Certificates-restaurant, spa, clothing store, movie
- Walk in the park or recreational activity
- Selection of cards and stamped envelopes
- Fish bowl full of “favor coupons” to draw from- wash, car, vacuum
- Care package with “theme” necessities….like personal, kitchen, quiet time
- Relaxation tapes, quiet music
- Ready-made meal-frozen casserole or hot dish
- Offer to drive to appointments
And for the Care Receiver:
- Hugs, hugs, hugs
- Clothing-velcro-closing sneakers, sweats, slacks with elastic bands, clothing with large zipper pulls
- Memory aids-wipe-off message board with pen, bulleting board, calendar, large clock, frame with labeled photos, scrapbook or album of life, memories and achievements
- Music-favorite cassette or CD, music box, live entertainment at nursing home
- Short visits
- Fresh fruit
- Books with large pictures and few words, poetry, story books
- Soft lighting-dimmer switch, night lights
- Adaptive equipment for the home-handheld shower, tub rails, safety knobs for stove
- Scents-hand lotion, linen spray, soap, shower gel, bubble bath
- Grooming items
- Gift certificates to beauty shop, manicure, pedicure
- Short car trip
- Games-large jigsaw puzzles, word or number games, bingo games with pictures, matching memory games
- Bird feeder
- Flowers
And most of all, remember to take care of yourself, reduce and manage your stress, and enjoy the holidays!
Have an idea we missed? Leave it in the comments! We'd love to hear what you think.