Nursing home residents often have special diets, limited personal space, and institutional restrictions on what they are allowed to have. For these reasons, gifts such as large or fragile decorator items, food, or candles are not good gift choices.
Buy Services
Consider giving gift certificates for services such as haircuts, perms, manicures, or pedicures. Check with the front desk of the care facility to see if there is a list of service providers who already work with patients in the home. These service providers will be familiar with the facility and are usually very sensitive to the schedules and special needs of the residents.
Magazines, Books and Puzzles Books
Most care facilities have a selection of popular books and magazines, but often lack ones catering to special interests. For example, a person who spent years sailing, or gardening may enjoy a subscription to a boating or gardening magazine. Large print editions of books not already in the home’s collection are welcomed, as are large print crossword and Sudoku puzzle books.
Bags and Totes
Many nursing home residents need walkers or wheel chairs to get around. Tote bags or smaller zippered bags are handy for carrying small items that may be needed during the day. Small bags also help residents organize and keep track of items like hearing aid batteries, pens and pencils, lip stick, etc.
Comfortable Clothing
Socks, sweat suits, shawls, and lap blankets are useful items for nursing home residents. Even in warm climates, people who are not physically active can become easily chilled. All clothing items should be marked with the resident’s name in indelible ink so they are not lost in the laundry.
Craft and Art Supplies
Many residents enjoy arts and crafts. Sets of blank greeting cards that can be painted are popular, as are watercolor kits, colored pens and pencils, and knitting and crochet supplies. Again, check with the front desk to see what is already available, and what items are prohibited.
The Gift of Music
Cassette players, and CD players with headsets, along with a selection of tapes or CDs are very appreciated. They allow residents to enjoy music without disturbing others, and help to block out the ever-present noise of institutional living. An MP3 player loaded with the resident’s favorite tunes seems like a great idea, but the small screens and small buttons, can make it difficult for elders to operate.
Gifts Men Appreciate
- Electric shavers
- Boxer shorts
- Pajama pants
- Sweatshirts
- Playing cards
Gifts Women Appreciate
- Clip-on earrings
- Necklaces
- Bath powder
- Purses
- Colorful Pillow Cases
Special Consideration for Dementia Patients
When purchasing gifts for residents with dementia, do not buy anything with small parts that could be swallowed. Comfortable clothing, books with interesting pictures, coloring books with large format pictures, and collections of photos showing familiar people and places make good gifts.
There are many possibilities for useful, stimulating, and comforting gifts for nursing home residents, but the best gift is the gift of time. Residents in care facilities cherish regular visits from friends and family, along with cards and letters throughout the year.
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