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Dementia & Holiday Gift Giving



Friends, let's talk about giving gifts to loved ones living with dementia. Yet again, I speak from experience... I have seen my own family and others overcompensate in their grief and feelings of hopelessness by giving extravagantly at a point when the person living with dementia is unable to appreciate or secure treasured valuables. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I think those living with dementia are un-deserving of nice things. That is not my point at all.

Unfortunately, because of the memory and thinking changes experienced, some "valuables" may not be as meaningful to them as their world gets more narrow. If they do treasure an item, they may place the item in a 'safe place'... You know the safe place I'm talking about - the place where a person with dementia puts a treasured item then cannot recall the location? Yep, some of you know all about these 'safe places' where items go missing sometimes turning up months or years later. Rule of thumb - don't give any gift that would cause you to be upset if it were lost or stolen.

So, what IS a good gift to give someone living with dementia? Below is a list of 20 ideas to get you thinking creatively about the perfect present for your loved one this holiday season. As always, if you have questions - or better yet, ideas to share with fellow caregivers - please comment below or on Facebook, or contact me at rebekah@agingcarecoach.com

20 Gift Ideas for Loved Ones Living with Dementia: 

Failure-free activity books, games, or puzzles

Large print calendars to mount on a wall for visual cues if able to use for orientation/recall

Dementia Friendly books such as The Sunshine on my Face  (https://www.amazon.com/Sunshine-My-Face-Read-Aloud-Memory-Challenged/dp/1932529098)

Adult coloring books and crayons/colored pencils/markers that the person can use

Large digital/atomic clocks with day/date/time/weather

Automatic night lights

Shared outings/experiences based on the person's lifelong preferences to a local zoo, symphony or favorite restaurant

Identification jewelry (such as https://www.alz.org/care/dementia-medic-alert-safe-return.asp) that can help in wandering/health incidents

Filled photo books, framed photos, and picture collages with photos labeled (include names of those pictured with dates, when possible)

Music 'mix' CDs or personalized playlists pre-programmed on easy to use devices

Comfy bathrobe or a cozy lap blanket

Essential oils diffuser for stimulating/calming/etc to be set up for diffusing by care partners

Picture books of items based on personal preferences (such as dogs, babies, nature scenes)

Warm socks and/or slippers with non-skid soles

Sunshine and Joy's Big Book of Alzheimer's Activities (https://www.amazon.com/Sunshine-Joys-Book-Alzheimers-Activities/dp/0979363403) to be used with prompting from a loved one

Comfortable, 'slip-on' clothing (limit buttons, zippers, and other fasteners) to make dressing/undressing easier

Realistic looking/feeling stuffed animal or baby doll

Activity apron/blanket with different textures/materials for tactile stimulation

Edible snack-sized treats - typically soft and sweet foods are preferred

Preferred toiletries such as Kleenex, hand cream, facial moisturizer, perfume/cologne

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