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I know what you mean about the limited space...I finally had to tell my brother if he buys mom one more thick burly blanket for mom, he will be taking it home with him when he leaves. We live in a 4 season state and it was really hard to keep her clothing housed, let alone multiple blankets. There is no linen closet in assisted living! LOL
my son was dying many years ago and since there really nothing lasting we could give him we put an orange and a candy cane in his christmas stocking. We had done this every year when he was a kid.
(he died three weeks later but we could tell he appreciated that he still got a gift.)
She really likes sweets, chocolate covered cherries are a big fave each Christmas. DH makes her fudge. Sometimes for a treat he takes her tamales.
I’ve gotten some good ideas from everyone. I’m going to try to sharpen my game for 2024.
I remember buying my grannie little windup mechanical dogs that would bark and turn flips.
My dad enjoyed playing dominoes or cards. if we were lucky we got a story or two from him in return.
I read the most popular gift this year in general is socks. My mom was a big socks and underwear giver. One year she made all her grands western shirts. What a shocker.
One of my nieces goes once a week to visit two women in their 90s in a ALF. She meets one of their daughters there and they play the domino game “Train”. They have a great time.
I hope everyone has a nice holiday with their elders.
- flowers
- photos
- something from their home that was special to them and/or something that connect them with the family.
- I left a wreath up all year at my client's room - it was so beautiful.
- Item to keep them warm and cozy. . . in general:
* Appeal to the senses (physical and visual: as above; perhaps music.
- Investigate. arranging for volunteers (students in school?) to come over and play an / their instrument and/or sing ... not only for your parents but see if you can set up an event for them to perform for the different units / divisions at the facility.
* a massage (from a professional and / or)
- you learn how to give a good foot or hand massage (I am a massage practitioner although to give a gentle 'touch' massage, a person doesn't need to be certified. Do be aware of counter-indicators (ways / areas not to massage). Easy to learn by asking their healthcare professional.
- As they enjoy, show / share with them You Tube moments - could be nature, flowers blooming, music, or a tv show that they watched when they were younger ... Ed Sullivan ? Twilight Zone ? Whatever they might enjoy.
- Time with them is the best gift.
* Research / coordinate volunteers to visit regularly. Setting this up will take some time - calling, posting ads, interviewing potential visitors/volunteers. See if there is a LITA in your area.
* This is one of the best gifts you could give your parents - or any older person in a facility. They are often alone, lonely, confused, scared and need reassurance(s) that they are loved. This is one major way to do that.
Gena / Touch Matters
Share memories, perhaps photos of other years growing up etc.
All "tangible" gifts need of course to be safety compliant relevant based on their diagnosis. For ALF, perhaps something he would enjoy, clothing etc or something based on his current interests. For memory care perhaps a new soft blanket ...
Always confer with facility for gift guidelines.
I didn't think of it in time this year, but thinking next year I'll do a mini Advent thing where I put little treats (or something) in 10 or 14 wrapped boxes and have the staff help her open one a day up until we come see her at Christmas.
The only other thing that I can think of is photos of your family, either in an album or framed to place on their wall or nightstand.