Lifestyle 8 Gifts for Seniors Living in Community 11/25/2024 | By Terri L. Jones Some people take great joy in coming up with presents for everyone on their gift list. But if you’re like me and don’t particularly enjoy shopping, that task can be tough. And it’s even more challenging when you’re buying gifts for seniors living in community, where square footage and storage is at a premium. To give you a hand, we’ve combed the internet to come up with eight clever gifts that are sure to please these seniors without stealing their valuable space. We even provide with links to vendors who can help you make these gifts come true. Creative gifts for seniors 1. Cuddle up Seniors downsizing often store things that they simply couldn’t part with. Now, some of that seemingly useless stuff could come in handy when it’s patched together into a memory quilt! Mom might enjoy cuddling with a throw made from Dad’s old flannel shirts, while a lap blanket made from your old sports jerseys will give them a great conversation starter with fellow residents. And any loved one will enjoy reminiscing with a blanket made from T-shirts they collected during their travels, favorite sports teams and musicians, or run-and-walk events! Custom quilts made from shirts 2. Sing it, instead of say it Do you have a million emotions to express to your parent or spouse but no idea how or where to begin? Create a custom song for them – no musical talent necessary! Simply share a little bit of info about your loved one, including stories and inside jokes, plus select the genre of music as well as the artist you think they’ll love. The finished, professionally produced song will amaze them and is sure to touch their heart! Custom songs from professional musicians 3. Put the pieces together Do you have a puzzler on your list? Choose a special photo from a favorite trip, their favorite people, or the family home (which they may be missing!) and let the pros break that image into 48 to 2,000 small pieces. The challenge of putting that glimpse of the past back together will engage your loved one for hours and give them something to talk about with their neighbors and staff. Custom puzzles from favorite photos 4. Set the mood Maybe your parent always enjoyed flickering candles in their home, but they’re not allowed to light them in their senior living community. Flameless, remote-control candles with timers to automatically “light” and “extinguish” are not only safe but also offer a similar soothing, peaceful effect of the traditional wax-burning originals. And if your mom or dad misses the candle scent, add some plug-in diffusers to complete the experience. Flameless candles 5. Watch nature If your loved ones miss watching the birds at their home, a window bird feeder, which easily attaches to most windows with suction cups, will give them a bird’s-eye view of their feathered friends. It also brings a little bit of the outside in for seniors stuck inside. The handy removable tray makes it easy for you to quickly refill the birdseed when you’re visiting. Window bird feeder 6. Soothe and de-stress Has Mom been complaining about low back pain? Maybe Dad’s muscle cramps have been acting up. With a handheld percussion massager, your parent can work out those kinks every day in the comfort of their own room or apartment – and the cost to you is just a fraction of a professional massage. When you come to visit, you can man the massager and reach the spots they can’t! Cordless handheld percussion massager Related: Holiday decorating in small spaces 7. Give it forward When your loved one can’t easily shop, they’ll appreciate having a stash of small, inexpensive items to give to their fellow residents or favorite staff members. From fragrant hand lotions and body washes to candies and nuts, these tokens of friendship and gratitude can be given for birthdays, holidays, or simply when someone does something nice for them. Add a variety of greeting cards and postage stamps for people they can’t thank or celebrate in person. 8. Make a date The best gift of all won’t cost you a thing – your time! You could create a booklet with coupons for a walk around the community grounds, a lunch out and a mani/pedi – among other activities they’d enjoy. Or keep it simple and make a date to visit for an hour every Wednesday, then note it on your loved one’s calendar so they have something to look forward to. We guarantee that this will be their favorite gift of the year! Read More Terri L. Jones Terri L. Jones has been writing educational and informative topics for the senior industry for over 10 years, and is a frequent and longtime contributor to Seniors Guide.