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Gifts Ideas for Seniors with Alzheimer’s

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As the festive season is again upon us, gift shopping is a necessary activity – a task loved by some, but for others, it presents a challenge we may prefer not to endure. And if you are close to one of the approximately 472,000 Australians living with dementia1, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, finding the perfect gift for someone with impaired memory and cognition can present additional challenges.

So, to lend you a helping hand this festive season, we have put together this guide to gift-giving for those with Alzheimer’s, whether they are ageing in place, – receiving care at home, or in an aged care facility. When living with Alzheimer’s, things that can make life that little bit less complex, things that will come in handy for everyday activities, or items that simply bring joy can make the perfect present.  

Gift Ideas for those with early-onset Alzheimer’s 

If your loved one is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, they are likely ageing in place, happily living at home, or perhaps receiving a little in-home care to support things like memory loss, problem solving or completing familiar tasks successfully. Often at this stage of Alzheimer’s, people can feel confusion over dates, and find they are misplacing things.  

Gifts like photobooks with notes about the images, or a memory box with treasures you can recall stories about together can help save memories and lead to some great conversations. 

Simple board games can also be a great gift, that you can play together enabling your loved one to participate without potential confusion or frustration of a more complex game. 

Gifts that help keep track of things like an easy to read clock that also has the date displayed, or an easy to use calendar can be helpful and useful. 

Anything that can make daily activities that bit easier are great gift ideas. Things like shoes with velcro straps, a nice back scrubbing brush for the shower, wide brimmed hat for the sun, or even something like a picture dial telephone system can bring both simplicity and joy to your loved ones world when ageing in place with early onset Alzheimer’s.   

Gifts for Seniors with Middle Stage Alzheimer’s  

As Alzheimer’s disease advances, increased difficulties with daily care needs become apparent. There are some great gift ideas that can further simplify and support your loved one with their day to day activities. 

Things like automatic pill dispensers help ensure medication regimes stay on track. Vouchers for their favourite restaurant or café, with the promise of your company, can reduce the burden on them to cook for themselves and get them out and socialising. Even some in home support hours with one of our experienced Care Workers at Home Care Assistance could be a great gift idea, and can be a great way to test out the benefit of receiving some help around the home to maintain their independence. 

Activities can help with rising levels of agitation and reduce wandering. There are specialised colouring books3, for those with dementia which, coupled with some fresh crayons, make a great gift. Jigsaw puzzles3 are another great all-weather activity to provide creative stimulation, and can be done independently or with a visitor. 

Music is also an important part of dementia care and can help you connect with your loved one. Now that we are able to get out to concerts again, check out ticket options as a great gift, or perhaps a collection of old favourites loaded to a simple music player.3 

Anything that can bring joy to your loved one serves as a great gift idea. An experience like a manicure/pedicure can make them feel special. Think about whether your loved one has a favourite flower, body product, costumer jewellery piece or colour, sports memorabilia, piece of music, book, or scent. These can all spark joy when given as thoughtful gifts. 

Late- stage Alzheimer’s gift ideas 

During the later stages of Alzheimer’s, your loved one’s communication abilities may be limited, as their world becomes primarily experienced through the senses. Gifts that appeal to the five senses, provide comfort and safety can be ideal.  

On the comfort front, your loved one may respond well to gifts like a weighted blanket which can calm the senses and provide a sense of security. A vibrating sensory cushion3 is also great as a more portable option for travelling in the car or attending appointments.  

Bathrobes and slippers can make great gifts and look for slippers with non-slip soles for safety. 

Communication during late-stage dementia often comes easier through art, rather than traditional expressive means, so things like a watercolour paint set and a watercolour pad to use can make a lovely gift.  

For loved ones who always had a pet, or are fond of babies, doll, and pet therapy with the help of a stuffed animal toy or baby doll can be a much appreciated gift that they can cherish and cuddle. 

Regardless of the extent of symptoms experienced by your loved one ageing in place with Alzheimer’s, there is one gift that will always be appreciated – your company. Simply being with them can be the best present and can also be a key part of in-home care, even if it is simply sitting together and watching an old favourite on TV together.  

If you are limited in your ability to be physically present, then Home Care Assistance can help. Our compassionate and professional Care Workers can provide companionship to your loved ones when you can’t be there in person. We are a trusted and experienced provider of care to individuals and families living with mild to severe Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. Call or use the My Aged Care Service Finder to help you find any additional support services you might need over the festive season and ensure your loved one has the support and company they need to feel secure and cared for during this festive period.  

References

1 https://www.dementia.org.au/statistics 
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs 
https://dementiashop.com.au/ 

As a leading age care provider, Home Care Assistance offers tailored in-home care services for older Australians, enabling them to live happier and healthier lives in the comfort of their own homes

We offer private and government subsidised Care Packages and have office locations that are a registered NDIS provider. Our Care Workers undergo extensive training in order to deliver unmatched in-home aged care services where people can continue ageing in place. We are proud ambassadors of the My Aged Care government funded aged care program, enabling Australians to successfully navigate the process and gain approval for in-home care support packages. Home Care Assistance offers hourly care, specialised care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, hospital to home care, and 24 hour in home care.

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Great team
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At the beginning of this year I interviewed several care companies searching for help with my mum who is totally dependant every day.Mum was quite resistant to the idea of having strangers coming in... to her home, she felt very uncomfortable, but I was desperate at the same timefeeling guilty. When speaking with Jourdan as we discussed HCA & theirpolicies, prices, priorities I felt that this was the right company for my mum & I. The interest in my mums needs & her fears were clearly important, which put me at ease making this new journey a little easier.From the 7th March we have received excellent care. Whatever we asked for has been received. The carers who attend to my mum are perfectly matched to her needs, she now feels safe, very comfortable & well cared for, she is also looking forward to their visits. The services we require are cleaning, meals, companionship & most of all friendliness. All of these are of a high standard. Mum & I are very grateful to all at Home Care Assistance Gold Coast. Glenis & Normaread more
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A thank you to the team at Hone Care Assistance from the Gold Coast, for taking extrodinary measures to look after my parents. A well organised and professional manner, thank you again..
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My husband had two major strokes 6 years ago which turned our lives upside down over night. two years ago we were given the opportunity to look for a provider to help us make life easier at home for... my husband. We choose a provider and had them for two years. I can't tell express enough of how that ended up causing us so much stress and anxiety as they were in this business for the wrong reasons, very money orientated as fees were astronomical and the service was equally as bad. My husband even had a bad accident on his scooter where he could of been killed at Helensvale and some low life also stole his mobile phone while he was on the ground so he could not contact anyone but not even a word from my provider to say how sorry they were to hear that, it meant nothing, like I said just in it for the money. After two years I had had enough and found a provider by the name of Home Care Assistance. We have only been with them for one month and already it has made a huge difference to our lives, the stress levels are manageable now as they are absolutely in this business of caring for the elderly and disabled for the RIGHT reasons, they have been nothing but professional, kind and caring and they actually listen to what our needs are even though they are sometimes of the chart, but what counts is that it is to make my husbands life better, he is the one who was unlucky in life to have this happen to a very kind soul at a young age. We needed help and now we have it. The director of this company Michelle and our client advisor Jourdan have been the best and I can honestly say to anyone out there looking for a provider, as there are many, don't look any further than Home Care. If anyone would like to speak to me personally, pls get in touch with HomeCare as I will gladly tell u our story and how important it is that when tragedy strikes and you are a mess, you really need that help and support. I can't thank Home Care enough for everything in such a short time. I feel blessed to have found them.read more
Best Home Care Agency in South East Melbourne!Friendly ,Reliable, trusting in looking after your loved one.
Happy Christmas to Jourdan my home care manager and thank you so very much for all the help and care you've shown over the year I've been with GCHA, very happy with my home care package and how... you've gone over and above many times for me. Much appreciated, have a super new year, catch up with you then. Blessings to you and yours (:-read more
Megan is very good care manager.
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We were very happy with Home Care Assistance's and dealing with staff was a pleasure. Highly recommend.
Home Care Assistance are always available to help Mum and Dad. The carers are always lovely and polite. I feel very confident in recommending them to anyone looking for care for their loved ones.
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Great company, would definitely recommend. The employees are superb
Great business, would recommend it to friends and family.
I looked long and thoroughly before I selected a care provider for my husband who has dementia. Being with Home Care Assistance for almost a year, has confirmed all my expectations. And more.As a... carer I feel very supported by David and Meg. They are always available by phone or email, and this means a lot. But perhaps the best quality of their organisation is the high calibre and personalised choice of all the care givers they have provided for us - whether it be someone to spend time with my husband or someone to slash our overgrown yard.I have no hesitation in recommending Home Care Assistance - and, indeed, have already done so.Pamela Payneread more
High quality, unique approach with a customised care plan to promote independence and client satisfaction.
Would definately recommend, Kristy is the best :-)
Great service, lovely people
My carer Beccy was perfectly matched to my needs. Michelle & Jourdan are always helpful & I couldn't live comfortably at home without the care from Home Care Assistance Gold Coast.
Jeremy is a really good man, he has fantastic family values and cares for everyone. I would definitely recommend Health Care Assistance to help you and your family

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