Between holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions, you may be considering what to give your loved ones in assisted living, like those living in our Lakewood nursing homes. Many of our loved ones have limited space, and so while giving a gift is always a joyous time, you may want to consider that they have less space than in their previous home. Here are some of the best unique, special, and practical gifts you can give your loved ones in assisted living.
Games and Fun Activities
These games and fun activities can shake away the typical routine of your loved ones in an assisted living or nursing home.
- Board games
- Puzzles
- Puzzle books, such as word search or sudoku
- Cards
- Jenga
- Chess or checkers
- Backgammon or Chinese checkers
- Audiobooks
- Adult coloring books
- Scrabble
Art Supplies or Writing Supplies
With time on their hands, many seniors enjoy doing crafting or art projects, or simply writing letters or even their own memoirs or stories. These gifts can help them grow and encourage their creative talents.
- Art kits with supplies
- Paper, including drawing paper, watercolor paper, or construction paper
- Knitting needles and yarn, with pattern books
- Sketchpads and art pencils
- Greeting cards for the upcoming holidays, or for all year (include stamps!)
- Stationery and envelopes
- Blank cards
- Address book already filled out with all family addresses
- Blank recipe book for them to place all the traditional family recipes for future generations
Toiletries
Both women and men will enjoy toiletry gifts. Feeling clean and smelling nice can make your loved one feel refreshed. Consider the following toiletry gifts for your loved one.
- Lip balms
- Moisturizers (face and body)
- Scented soaps and bath wash
- Deodorants in different scents
- Comb or brush sets
- Nail polish kits (with a homemade coupon for a manicure from a loved one!)
- Aftershave
- Cosmetics
- Tissues
Clothing
Your loved one still likes to look nice and feel comfortable. Consider the following clothing items to make them feel cozy, warm, and comfortable.
- Plush bathrobe
- Comfortable nightgown
- Slippers
- Shawls or wraps
- Soft blankets
- Fuzzy socks
- Button-up sweaters or zipped sweatshirts
- If your loved one is in a wheelchair, adaptive clothing can be a wonderful gift. Adaptive clothing can include wheelchair pants, open-back dresses, or open-back tops.
Decoration
While your loved one may not have as much room as they did in their previous home, they will likely want to decorate their space with mementos, and items that bring them happiness and joy. The following gifts are ways you can bring a smile to their face even when you are not there.
- Silk flower arrangements
- Plants
- Art projects from children
- Stuffed animals
- Framed photographs or a digital photo frame
- Calendars (some calendars can be personalized online and include family pictures)
- Fleece throws or personalized blankets
- Scrapbooks already filled with pictures and writing
- Paintings
- Wall decor, such as their favorite quote
- Essential oil diffuser or air freshener
- Mini fridge
While this list is not complete, hopefully, it gives you a great starting point for a wonderful gift or gift basket you can create for your loved one for either the holidays, their birthday, or other special occasions.