Perfect Christmas Gifts for Someone in a Care Home

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It can be difficult to know what Christmas gifts to buy for someone who is in a care home. For someone who has dementia or Parkinson’s Disease it can be more challenging. Memory may be impaired and interests may have disappeared. Christmas gift ideas can be a challenge.

Never fear, this blog will give you lots of tips and ideas of what you can buy to make their Christmas and yours memorable.

Someone in a care home may have limited space. There is also a worry that items can go missing in a care home and some homes have strict guidelines and rules on electrical items.

There is a number of Christmas gift ideas that do not take up much space or cost a lot of money and can really benefit them by creating interest and distraction in their day.

Christmas Gifts for the Nature Lover

Bird Feeders are great for providing interest, distraction and entertainment. Watching wildlife feed can bring much enjoyment. There are different types that can be suitable for someone in a care home.

Clear window feeders that can be attached to the window of their room, particularly good if they are not on the ground floor and are relatively inexpensive.

A plant for their room to sit on their windowsill would bring a touch of the outside in. Succulents need little care and so not a worry if they are unable to or forget to water.

Christmas Gifts for Music Lovers

A dementia friendly radio would enable them to listen to their favourite radio station and music in their room. Staff would be able to support them to use it.

Some care homes subscribe to dementia friendly radio stations such as M4d Radio and Memory Lane.

Consider buying their favourite CD to play in their room. A small CD player would be useful if their home will allow small electrical items. Some homes also have a communal CD player.

Many find that familiar music and finding their favourite music can bring plenty of happy memories; they may need assistance to use a CD player but lovely for when you visit and can invoke conversation. Often, even if someone has lost a lot of their memories, words to music stays.

Mobility Aids for Someone in a Care Home

A wheelchair memory cushion would be a thoughtful Christmas gift for someone in a care home. It can get uncomfortable sitting in the same position for a long time. A good cushion can eliminate risk of pressure sores and be more comfortable. For something a bit more funky and different this chair cushion is worth a look.

If they use a walking frame then a gift to jazz up their walking frame is a great gift. A walking frame bag to store and carry their personal items are a lovely thoughtful gift. Walking frame bags can be found in my Etsy Shop here.

Activity Gifts Ideas for Someone in a Care Home

Fidget mats are a great gift idea for someone in a care home and are ideal for someone who gets agitated and needs distraction. Fidget mats can be made personalised to personality, memories and gender.

There are some lovely ones on Etsy that can be handmade to order to give that personalised touch and support a small business at the same time.

For someone that would benefit from carrying a distraction around with them and less likely to be put down and lost, a fidget apron is a lovely idea as can be used ‘on the go’. You can find a fidget apron in my Etsy shop here made to order.

Crossword puzzle books make a great gift for someone who is more cognitive aware and make an affordable gift to pass the time well. There is a lot of research that states that the activity of crosswords and word finding can also help delay memory decline.

Jigsaw Puzzles can create enjoyment and hours of fun for someone in a care home. Dementia puzzles are large piece puzzles and dementia friendly puzzles can also be personalised with a memory of their own.

Activity boards make a lovely gift for unisex. Made to bring familiarity, distraction and calming and can bring hours of fun. There are a variety of types to suit everyone. Activity boards can easily be stored away safely.

Self Care Toiletries

Hand cream is a lovely economical gift to aid self care, older people often suffer dry skin and is a lovely gift for you or care staff to administer as many find hand cream to be soothing.

Shower gel for mature skin is a very practical and indulgent gift for someone in a care home that cannot go out and buy for themselves. Shower gel with a nice fragrance would be much appreciated.

A nice pillow spray would be a lovely touch. Staff can assist to spray on their pillow if they are unable to. Often Lavender is a favourite choice.

It is worth bearing in mind when buying toiletries that brands with mild scents and designed for more sensitive and dry skin is best choice. Nice products can offer a sense of luxury to their daily skin care routine.

Clothing gift ideas for someone in a Care Home

Bed socks can be a really useful gift. Often older people suffer bad circulation and have cold feet. Bed socks can help keep them snug when in bed and are comfortable on their feet.

Slippers are another lovely and useful gift that would be worn daily. A pair that are easily put on and off and help their mobility would be well received.

Depending on their ability to be independent or whether they need carers to support with dressing and undressing. more adaptable clothing would be a good idea. Adaptable clothing does not have to be expensive and specialised. Thinking about best style of clothing to make it easier.

Clothes that have wider necks, magnetic closures, velcro straps and zips with gripper tabs on them are better than fiddly buttons. Pull up elasticated waist bands for example are better than zipped and buttoned trousers or skirts.

Many of existing clothes can be adapted by replacing buttons with velcro or magnetic closures and can make a more economical gift by offering your services.

Gifts for their Room

Any gift that can make their room more homely and personalised is a gift worth considering.

A clock that is clear and can show the time and date is a great practical gift. These dementia clocks have adjustable brightness and can help someone to know what date and time it is clearly.

For someone who is partially sighted or blind a talking clock is more useful. This clock tells you the date and time when the big button is pressed.

A wall picture frame for multiple pictures would make a homely room. Pictures of family and memories in a large frame would bring joy and trigger memories.

Snacks and Treats for Someone in a Care Home

A basket filled with their favourite snacks can prove to be a lovely surprise gift. We all love a little treat now and again. Choosing snacks that they like makes it more personalised.

When choosing snacks and treats, it is useful to bear in mind whether they wear dentures, have allergies, are diabetic and have the dexterity to open packets.

A nice tin of biscuits make a lovely gift and can be enjoyed with a nice cup of tea. A festive box of chocolates are also a nice addition.

When choosing gifts for someone in a care home the key is to focus on what they like, what will enhance their quality of life, comfort and provide stimulation and relaxation.

Activity gifts provide stimulation and interest while snacks and treats are wonderful for in between meals and provide that bit of indulgence. Toiletries provide a sense of wellness and enhance their self care routine while adapting clothing can help to feel safe and comfortable.

I do hope you have found my Christmas gift selection for someone in a care home useful. If you have enjoyed this blog post, look at my other posts too. Please sign up for my newsletter to keep up to date with future posts.