Some good christmas gifts for elderly parents gift ideas So much depends on their physical and living co.nditions and how much you are willing to co.ntribute. If you love your parents and are lucky enough to still have them in your life, put a little effort into the gift. Nothing shows a lack of caring like another pair of slippers or Holiday fruit basket. Here are my top 5 suggtions 1. I owe my wife for this one. She took my big tough faer to get a PEDICURE! He loved it! He could no longer clip his toenails so it was a very practical gift but he totally enjoyed the attention and managed to get a neck massage while his feet were soaking. He couldnt wait to do it again. 2. Home safety. If you are handy or can grab some handy friends, install GRAB BARS, EMERGENCY LIGHTS, PANIC BUTTONS in their living area. Make sure smoke alarms are in place and worng. Make sure they have batteries available for their flashlights, portable radio or weather alert device. A Jitterbug cell phone might fit into this category. 3. Technology and gadgets. Just because you think it is cool doesnt mean they will. Try to imagine their typical day. Do they use a computer? Then a large and/or backlit keyboard may be appreciated. Suggting some websites for seniors may be welcomed. If they read books, a bright, natural light, floor or desk lamp is fantastic. If they prepare their own meals, a one hand automatic can opener or small Foreman Grill might be a welcomed practical gift. If they watch television all day, a Net.flix subscription might be a great gift as long as they understand how to use it and you leave simple written instructions they can always refer to if necessary. There are pill and medicine organizers available from simple co.ntainers to programmable electronic dispensers. Some can be very helpful but unfortunately may be too complicated for someone who cannot manually organize their meds. If they already use electronic devices like cell phones, tablets and wireless headphones they probably have trouble with the chargers I know I do. The co.nnectors are small and some USB chargers need to plug into a computer. Buy a power strip that has several USB receptacles as well as six regular power outlets. Use colored electrical tape or printed labels to match devices to chargers and organize all the wire and transformers at this one power strip. Make sure it is located somewhere easily accessible like a countertop or low shelf with space for several devices to charge at the same time. 4. This one takes a little more commitment. Your parent has obviously lived a long life. They probably have stories that you and other relatives have never heard. Offer to spend the time with them creating a Life History. Start by scheduling sessions where you ask them qutions and record their answers. Then, transcribe the recordings and create an actual book that can be given to your children, your siblings and their children. If you like this idea, you can co.ntact me for more details. 5. If you parent does not live close to you, there are still gifts that show a little more thoughtfulness than a pair of slippers. Magnifying mirror for the bathroom, hom.emade food like your be fudge or cookies in a tin, specialty teas or coffee blends, memory book of your family photos, a jigsaw puzzle custom puzzled can be made from a photo of your family or your parents hom.e town or their favorite vacation spot, large print deck of cards if they prefer not to play solitare on the computer, A portable CD/mp3 player along with a collection of songs from their favorite artists. Getting old is the pits. At some point, it becomes hard to ignore the daily pains and realization that it is not going to get any better. The be present you can give your parent is some of your time and attention and focus on the simple pleasures of life. Leave your career, mon. ey and family problems at hom.e and share some joy with your parent. Watch a ball game, go to the opera, play board games, watch an old movie or cook a favorite meal together. Go to a day spa and get a massage together. Paint fingernails or get a new hair do. Read favorite old stories and books out loud. One guy I know found some old Playboy magazines from the 1960s and he and his faer had a great time reading the articles together.
