iSavta | 12.10.2020

As caregivers, you might get asked what are the best gift ideas for Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. Since not all people may be able to visit and spend time with their loved ones, they can give items that would help the patients. 

 

You may already have the essentials of taking care of these patients so most of the suggested gifts are items that can be used by the caregiver for the patient or to be used by the patients themselves. So start your list of gift-giving ideas with these gifts.

 

1. Flowers - The colors and the smell of a bouquet of flowers can stimulate the brain of a person to feel something towards it. This is special because it can help the patient to recall a memory and make new ones with this sensory activity. 
2. Paintings - Caregivers can suggest an activity of looking at different designs, photos, and paintings because they can use one or two senses to help the patients feel and communicate with their feelings toward the stimuli. Also, art therapy is used to help patients of all ages. 
3. Spa Set - Bath time is quite challenging for older people, more so with older people who are suffering from Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Why not call bathing as a ‘spa session’? It makes this dreaded activity into a more fun and relaxing thing that they can surely enjoy and look forward to doing again and again. 
4. Photo Book or Photo Frames - You can suggest for family and friends to give their loved ones with a photo book or photo frames that contain moments from the past or new photos. This will remind the patients of faces and experiences that they can look into from time to time. 
5. Coloring Book for Adults - Colors amazes everyone, not only kids but adults as well. The idea of doing something with your hands can be a rewarding activity for your patient. And the sense of fulfillment after they have seen their completed project is just satisfying for the patient. 
6. Painting Set - Painting can be included in the activities that you can do together with your patient. Painting is one activity that can keep them engaged and entertained for hours. While in this activity, it stimulates the different areas of the brain. 
7. Jigsaw Puzzles - When doing jigsaw puzzles, the left and right side of your brain is working. Therefore there are a lot of benefits to doing jigsaw puzzles. Improving short-term memory and helping alleviate stress and tension are just two of the benefits of this activity. 
8. Bag for Essentials - Whether this is for a short walk or a visit to the doctors, a bag for essentials is a good gift option. Highly recommended are bags with different pockets but still, be lightweight. Remember that this will house many of their needs, food, and water bottle so it should be a fairly-sized bag for you to carry. 
9. Stuffed Toy/Pet - Not all older people, especially those with memory care issues like Dementia and Alzheimer’s, can still take care of a pet. Physically it can be taxing. And emotionally, it might take a toll on them when the pet gets sick and eventually dies. So a stuffed animal as a companion pet can have a lot of advantages over the live one. A companion pet still feels like you have a real pet minus the responsibilities. 

 

More than Just Gifts

These gifts can also be a lifesaver for you as a caregiver because you might be very busy at work to think about purchasing these items. These items can also be used as part of the activities to do with your patients such as bathing, doing arts and crafts, and learning new things. 

 

More than the gifts, the thoughtfulness that comes across from the sender will be greatly appreciated by the receiver -- their elderly loved ones with Dementia and Alzheimer’s.