By Susan Ayers Walker
To make your shopping a little easier this holiday season, we've put
together a list of fun and practical items for older adults. For your
convenience, the gifts are organized by price, including some
inexpensive ideas for crafters or kids to make.
Grandparent Talk
uses a deck of question cards to stimulate social interaction and
spontaneous discussion between grandparents and the youngsters who don't
necessarily recognize the store of knowledge their grandparents hold
(and often don't know how to ask the right questions to start a
conversation with them). Grandparent Talk is the perfect door-opener to
build a bridge between generations. Carefully chosen questions -- such
as, "Have you ever faced a bully?" -- are displayed on the collection of
cards in the game deck.
Another deck in this series is
Family Talk, which
encourages the kind of old-fashioned, around-the-kitchen-table banter
families use to have in the evenings before TV, computers, and texting
scattered the generations in different directions.
To order: Grandparent Talk & Family Talk
Cost: about $11
Shutterfly.com offers a variety of practical gifts
that you can design yourself and order quickly for the holidays. Upload
some of your favorite digital photos or put your favorite faces on
coffee mugs, photo magnets for the fridge door, or a photo key chain.
How about a refrigerator magnet, a 5-by-7-inch brag book for Grandma, or
a deck of
playing cards featuring a photo of Grandpa's favorite pet?
To order: Shutterfly
Cost: $3 and up
Word games like Scrabble or Boggle are fun for all generations -- and
they're great exercise for the brain. As in Boggle, players of
Bananagrams
make words, and as in Scrabble, they create crosswords. And they need
to work as fast as they can, until someone yells, "Bananas!" No pencil,
no paper, no bulky board required. Each Bananagrams game includes 144
letter tiles zipped into a bright yellow, banana-shaped bag that's easy
to store and pull out when guests visit or the family gathers -- or to
use at the kitchen table for a solo game with a cup of coffee on a rainy
afternoon.
To order: Bananagrams
Cost: about $15
Stepping in and out of a slippery bathtub or shower -- or simply
standing in one -- can be a challenge for older adults. Give the gift of
some extra confidence: a 12-inch
Bath Safety Grip that
provides assistance for entering and exiting the shower or bathtub.
This grab bar is sturdy and easily attaches to any smooth surface via
strong suction cups on each end. This is a particularly handy gift for
seniors who travel and want extra safety in an unfamiliar shower, such
as when visiting the grandkids or staying in a hotel. The Bath Safety
Grip is portable, lightweight, and easy to pack, and it can be used just
about anywhere an extra grip is needed.
To order: Bath Safety Grip
Cost: about $10
The
LifeBio Memory Journal is especially suited to
an older person who enjoys writing. This lovely gift is a book of
creative, memory-jogging questions about life, with sufficient space
after each question to capture handwritten answers. It creates a
wonderful opportunity for a grandparent to pass on stories and wisdom to
the next few generations.
The journal asks more than 250 questions, such as, "How would you
describe your mother to someone who has never met her?" Or "What skills
did you inherit from your parents?" Other questions ask the writers to
recall their favorite birthday party as a child, the neighborhood they
grew up in, or a favorite subject when they were in high school. The
resulting answers can be transferred to an online LifeBio journal and
merged with scanned pictures to become a hardbound LifeBio book that can
be copied multiple times and given to family members.
To order: LifeBio.com
Cost: $19.95 for journal
The Art of Aging
is a profusely illustrated book that provides a wealth of inspiration
for older adults. Created by painter Alice Matzkin and her husband,
sculptor Richard Matzkin, this touching book explores the experience of
aging through art. In a series of projects that confront the artists'
fears and curiosity about growing old, they examine physical changes,
sensuality, relationships, spirituality, and their own aging parents --
and they do so with dignity and candor. Their uplifting conclusion: The
elder years can be a time of ripening and harvest rather than inactivity
and despair.
To order: The Art of Aging
Cost: about $17
Ideal for those with weak knees or backs or other physical challenges
such as arthritis, or for those who use a cane and have difficulty
getting in and out of an auto, the
Handybar provides
extra leverage and support when entering or leaving a vehicle. It works
with many (if not most) autos, small trucks, vans, and SUVs. Small and
easy to use, this device can be stored in an auto's door pocket.
The Handybar features a soft, nonslip handle with an insert on the
end that fits into a vehicle's striker (a U-shaped device that's
factory-attached inside the door well and is readily visible and
available once the door is opened). A striker is designed to hold at
least 2,500 pounds, which means it won't pop off if an overweight person
uses the Handybar with it. With a built-in seat belt cutter and side
window breaker, the Handybar is an equally useful tool in an emergency.
To order: Handybar
Cost: about $20
An
adorable, soft, robotic toy pet may be just the right gift for an older
adult or a loved one suffering from dementia, especially if they can no
longer take care of a pet or are living in an apartment or an
assisted-living facility that doesn't allow animals. The
WowWee Alive Sleeping Cuties
are perfect to hold or cuddle up with for a nap. Each one has a movable
head and "knows" when you pick it up. Pet one and it wakes up or makes
soft, sleepy pet sounds; play with one, and it makes happy sounds.
To order: WowWee
Cost: $40 and up
Are
you caring for someone who's an active reader or hobbyist -- who likes
to, say, fine-stitch a needlepoint pillow or tie flies or collect
stamps? Most likely, that person can use a little more brightness and
magnification while indulging in such pastimes. If so, the
Fulcrum 20072-401 Magnifier 12 LED Floor Lamp provides light, magnification, and adjustability.
With 12 high-powered but cool LEDs, this floor lamp provides ample
light for close work and reading. The ultra-flexible gooseneck brings
the light exactly where it's needed and to the right angle for viewing.
The extra-large lens easily covers an entire page without glare or hot
spots. And unlike that magnifier hidden away in a drawer, this one won't
be hard to find when it's needed most.
To order: Fulcrum 20072-401 Magnifier 12 LED Floor Lamp
Cost: about $80
For the older adult who wants to clear snow but whose back or arm strength isn't up to it anymore, the lightweight, electric
Power Shovel
could be an excellent alternative. This small machine tackles snow up
to 6 inches deep on any hard surface, such as patios, decks, driveways,
walkways, or front steps. It's also great for those lighter snowfalls,
when a snow removal service doesn't cover the job.
The lightweight Power Shovel weighs 13 pounds and is easy to maneuver
and use. Because it doesn't require gas or oil, it's also maintenance
free. Just plug it in and it's ready to go. When not in use, its compact
size makes it easy to store.
To order: Toro
Cost: $100
Whether the person you're thinking about drinks just a single daily
cup of java (or tea or cocoa) or simply likes a fresh brew with each
cup,
Keurig's one-cup brewers, which come with a
selection of gourmet coffees, make ideal gifts. The basic Mini Brewing
System brews a single cup with no guesswork or leftover water. The Elite
Brewing System, which comes with a 48-ounce water reservoir, offers an
automatic "off" feature that can prove useful for forgetful older
adults. Compact and easy to use, these brewers make good sense for a
small home kitchen or in an assisted-living environment (not to mention
in an RV).
To order: Keurig
Cost: $125 and up
For someone whose hearing isn't what it used to be, the
TV Ears
portable listening system can make an audible difference. This wireless
headset system enhances the sounds and voices from TV (it works with
the latest plasma and LCD flat screens), and it's flexible enough to be
used as a wired headset for an iPod, computer, or other music and
electronic device.
The TV Ears Professional model clarifies television dialog; it also
has an automatic Commercial Control that caps loud commercials so the
listener doesn't get an unexpected blast of volume. In addition, it
amplifies cell phones, home phones, and even voices during one-on-one
conversations.
To order: TV Ears
Cost: $220
Pushing a vacuum cleaner may no longer be an option for the person
you're buying for, especially if he or she has mobility issues. The
Roomba,
a robotic vacuum, can clean two rooms on one battery charge. To begin
the job, just press the start button, take a seat, and watch the action.
The Roomba will "learn" a room and its floors, remembering where
furniture and walls are located and what to avoid, such as stairs. When
this flying saucer-like device completes its job or is in need of
recharging, it finds its way back to the charging station and docks
itself.
The Roomba works well on wood and low-nap rugs and for cleaning up
pet hairs and dander. There's also a model that washes the floor (the
Scooba) and a heavy-duty Dirt Dog that will tackle the garage or cellar
work area.
To order: iRobot
Cost: $350 and up, depending on the model
For their grandparents, kids can create a colorful
coupon book
decorated with their favorite digital pictures. What to include? How
about unique services they can provide for a grandparent, such as
several car washes (always appreciated by an older driver) or perhaps
two hours of yard- or housework (raking leaves in the fall, shoveling
snow in the winter, or washing windows at any time of year). Other
coupon items might include climbing a ladder to change light bulbs,
installing new smoke alarm batteries, or dogsitting when the
grandparents are on a trip. Other fun coupons could include an all-day
activity with a grandparent, such as a day of fishing, a trip to the
shopping mall (including lunch), or a day at the county fair. Lots of
templates and ideas are available from
Kodak.
A year's worth of gifts come in the form of a
homemade calendar.
Include such special dates as birthdays and anniversaries along with
holidays that the family celebrates. Then add digital pictures that
depict activities from different seasons or family events. Free
templates can be printed from
Printable Calendar.
Older adults aren't always enamored of having to cook, so a gift of
homemade food
can be a special treat. Maybe it's a tin of your best fudge or a
granddaughter's cookies. Try decorating a wicker basket and filling it
with some favorite snacks. Find hundreds of free recipes for every
course, including holiday cookies, fudge, or other favorite foods, at
Free CookingRecipes.
Are you someone who likes to sew? With scraps of cloth you have left over from a project, plus a sewing machine, you can create
sewn gifts
ranging from a cheery pot holder to a new set of placemats or a
colorful shopping bag. There are lots of free projects, ideas, and
patterns, from beginner through advanced levels, at
About.com.
Holiday gift giving can be especially challenging if you're caring
for someone in an assisted-living environment, where personal storage
space is a luxury. What follow are some inexpensive gift ideas for
someone living in more confined quarters:
- Framed piece of a grandchild's artwork
- Knitted hat, gloves, and scarf
- Teacup with box of herbal tea
- Memory book of special photos
- Small bottle of real maple syrup
- Pens, assorted greeting cards, postal cards, stationery, and stamps
- Desk-quality address book or guest book
- Shower tote filled with bath gels and moisturizers
- Decorative napkins and small matching plates
- Assortment of current magazines tied together with a colorful ribbon
- Jigsaw puzzle (500 pieces or more)
- Low-vision, large-print deck of cards
- Blank journal
- Pencil box with pens, paper clips, and colorful post-it notes
- Decorative glass jar filled with old-fashioned penny candy
- Scented soap-on-a-rope and a flannel nightshirt
- Prepaid long-distance phone cards
- Desk clock with big numbers
- Decorated box for keepsakes
- Desktop Christmas tree
- Sewing box with supplies
- Colorful knitting or crocheting yarns
- Flashlight for a nightstand
- Handkerchiefs
- Soft makeup brush and some face powder
- Warm, colorful socks
