What gift do you get for the senior who has everything? Start with your time and attention.
Most people, especially seniors, thrive when a family member or friend stops by to say hello and perhaps stay for lunch, something we heartily encourage at The Kensington Redondo Beach (and not just because our meals are exceptionally nutritious and delicious!).
Beyond your presence, presents seniors like best enhance their lives in some practical way, making it safer, healthier, easier.
With these goals in mind, we’ve found eight holiday gifts we think your senior loved one will enjoy:
- Virtual Pet Companions
What if a senior loves pets but is no longer able to care for a live one, or is allergic? A Joy for All animatronic pet may be the purrrfect solution. These robotic companion cats and dogs are so life-like, seniors fall in love with them.
When you pet the cat, it purrs, licks its paw, meows, changes facial expressions, and even rolls over for belly rubs. Petting the pup causes its heart to beat — and it responds to a senior’s voice with BARKBACK technology. Best of all, these pets are always clean, well behaved, never need to be walked, and never tire of sharing love.
And as you’re probably aware, pet therapy is a boon for senior health and well being.
- Back and Neck Massager
The Kensington has a very active life enrichment program that keeps our residents as engaged as they wish to be. After singing, dancing, yoga, and maybe some energetic beach walks, a massage might be just the ticket. And wouldn’t it be lovely to have a “massage therapist” on call, whenever you need them?
That’s why the Zyllion shiatsu back and neck massager could be a welcome gift this holiday season. It’s portable, ergonomically designed, with a soothing heating function to help relax those overused muscles or tender joints.
For a less elaborate solution, the Sunny Bay Heated Neck Wrap will produce similar results. It’s filled with natural rice and provides moist heat. Bonus: you can place it in the freezer and use as an ice pack!
- Captioned Telephone
Hearing loss is a huge issue in later life. According to the Center for Hearing and Communication, two out of three people over age 75 have some degree of hearing impairment.
Some seniors, in fact, begin to isolate themselves when their hearing loss becomes severe, reasoning that it’s just too difficult to communicate with others. Yet social isolation is a major cause for concern among older adults.
One solution is a captioned telephone that enables the user to read what the person on the other end is saying. CapTel works like a regular landline phone, except instead of hearing what the person you’re talking to is saying, you read it. The touchscreen allows the user to enlarge the fonts so they’re easily readable. Now your loved one need never miss an important call from their doctor or other person, where clear comprehension is crucial.
- Flameless Candles
Who doesn’t love the atmosphere candles create? But who wants to worry about the risk of fire if that match falls onto the table, or you forget the candle’s burning when you leave the room to go to dinner?
The answer is LED Lytes Flameless Candles, which feature a realistic flickering flame without the risk of candles with a wick. And guess what? They’re made of real wax, and come with an easy on/off remote, just like a TV. Now you can relax, and enjoy lovely candlelight ambiance any time.
- Relaxed Fit Fleece Robe
Although most women probably already own a bathrobe, we couldn’t resist adding this tremendously cozy relaxed fit fleece robe to the list. It’s warm, pretty, and has big front patch pockets to store reading glasses, tissues, or whatever else you want to carry.
This robe has a zipper front rather than a belt, so you can be assured it’ll always stay closed. It’s available in 24 lovely colors, and is so warm and cuddly your granddaughter might just buy one for herself.
- Wall-Mounted Magnifying Mirror
We haven’t forgotten the men! One of the most frustrating things, say senior gentlemen, is not getting a perfect shave because the mirror is too far away, or offers too small an image. The Jerdon 8-inch Wall Mount Lighted Magnifying Mirror addresses these concerns, and more. This fog-free, double-sided mirror features a smooth 360-degree swivel design that provides 1x and 5x magnification options to make sure your senior relative can see all the needed details as they get ready for their day.
Shaving, applying makeup and fixing your hair just became a lot easier. And an on/off rotary knob on the base activates halo lighting around the perimeter of the mirror when needed. Bonus: the lighting is soft enough to serve as a bathroom nightlight.
- Padded Bookrest
If your senior loved one enjoys reading but finds holding heavy books tiring (and they do NOT want to read books on a Kindle, thank you very much), give their arms a reprieve with this Hog Wild Peeramid Bookrest.
Perfect for lap or bed, this bookrest will make reading a pleasure again, now that your loved one no longer has to hold the book. Bonus: it’s also a great gift for grandkids to encourage their love of reading — and they’ll get to be “just like Grandma”.
- Light On Your Feet
Even if your senior is still limber enough to touch their toes and exercises regularly, reaching our feet to care for them becomes more arduous with age. The Amopé Pedi Perfect Foot File to the rescue. This simple electric foot file lets the user remove calluses and keep feet soft and supple, with an ergonomically shaped handle and minimal pressure.
This home pedicure pairs well with an electric nail file to help keep your toes happy, too. Regular foot care is essential to keep seniors on their feet!
Happy holidays from all of us at The Kensington Redondo Beach, where your happiness is the greatest gift of all. Welcome home!
Further Reading:
Memory loss is life changing for all involved. At The Kensington, we provide a state-of-the-art memory care program, a higher staff-to-resident ratio than industry standards, and more advanced care services. Our promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own.
For additional resources regarding your loved one’s condition, please read on about our Memory Care, Alzheimer’s Care and Dementia Care.