Still, you want to show your love and care for your grandma or grandpa, mom or dad, or your elderly aunt, uncle, neighbor or friend. What to do?

How to Choose a Practical Gift for a Nursing Home Resident

Fortunately, there are some tried-and-true, thoughtful gifts that will be thoroughly appreciated by any older adults in your life!

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Your Time is the Best Gift. The thing that seniors in assisted living want the most is more time with their family, so give gifts that increase their ability to connect with others. A digital photo frame, a coffee mug with your photos or children’s artwork, or an activity you can all do together are all thoughtful gifts!
• Lean On Community Gifts. Depending on how active and social your loved one is, a gift that can be enjoyed by the entire assisted living community might be just the thing. Think treat or puzzle subscription boxes, large-print books they can pass along or donate to the on-site library when they’re finished, or a big bundle of crossword puzzles for the common area.
• Give Comfort Gifts. Everything gets tougher for senior citizens. Look for gifts that solve a problem, make life easier, provide comfort, or increase mobility and your gift will get used again and again. If all else fails, a foodie gift basket filled with their favorite treats or home baked goods is always a good way to go.

Kids’ Artwork Mug

Have you ever met a grandparent who didn’t love to brag about their grandkids? We haven’t. Gift your loved one who is in assisted living with a mug or a set of mugs featuring artwork by their favorite artists of all time – their own grandkids! Not only is it a practical gift that doesn’t take up much space, it’s also a great conversation-starter. Imagine your mom, sitting around the puzzle table, sipping her favorite tea out of one of these bad boys. Did Betty’s grandkids put their artwork on a mug for her? We don’t think so.

38-Pack of Hand Cream

One perennial problem for older adults is dry skin – especially during the holiday season. This large hand cream set is highly-rated on Amazon but inexpensive enough to fit in your holiday budget for a community gift. Put together some organza treat bags or stockings with a few truffles, a couple bags of tea, and a hand cream in each one and play Santa Clause for the entire assisted living community!

Able Life Combo Tray Table and Couch Stand

Because assisted living quarters are often on the smaller side, any gift that can do double-duty is sure to be a hit. Give the older adult in your life the gift of mobility and independence with this tray table that doubles as a couch stand. All they have to do is swing the tray table out of the way, and the sturdy piece converts into a lift assist for their favorite lounging chair.

Full Page Magnifying Glass

If your favorite older adult loves to read, and you can’t find enough large-print books to keep them occupied, consider this full page magnifying glass. With 5X magnifying power, this magnifying glass is lightweight and ergonomic so it’s easy-to-use. It also comes with a pliable neck strap for hands free use. The next strap is also strong and flexible enough to serve as a stand, which makes the glass handy for crafting and puzzling as well!

Sticky Grips Socks

A comfort and a safety item in one – these sticky grip socks will keep your loved one warm and toasty on cold nights in their assisted living apartment. And they will also keep them safe from slides, slips, and skids when they wake up to use the restroom at night or to start their coffee in the morning. A thoughtful and useful gift for assisted living residents or for any senior adult in your life.

Bedroom Humidifier

A good bedroom humidifier is a great gift for elderly adults – they are typically easy-to-use and they promote better sleep without a fancy tech gadget or additional supplements or medication. We really love this high-capacity, ultrasonic version because it’s quiet, has a long run time, includes an automatic shut off feature, and is super simple to fill. All good qualities to have if your new home is going to be at an assisted living facility!

Wearable Fleece Blanket

The Snuggie was an instant hit – but it wasn’t known for being stylish! Well. Gone are the days when you had to choose between comfort and style. This wearable fleece blanket is made from premium Sherpa and is available in 15 chic, vibrant colors and patterns. Many assisted living resident coordinators that we’ve spoken to have told us that bright, cozy blankets are always on their residents’ wish lists. The fluffier the better! Not only do they add a splash of color to the decor, they add a feeling of comfort and love for the recipient.

Friendship Lamps

How cool would it be to stay connected to your elderly loved one with your own secret code? Don’t let distance stop you. Friendship lamps make it possible! Just choose your colors, set up the lamp on your loved one’s bedside table, and send them a little coded message any time you’re thinking of them. You can make the lamp light up pink to say I love you, green for I miss you, and blue for Good Night! Buy one lamp and operate it with an app…or buy two connected lamps so that your loved one can send you a quick message with a single tap.

Navigating Assisted Living

OK – so this may be more of a gift for yourself and your siblings, but by doing your research you’ll be giving your aging parents an invaluable gift as well. This practical guide through the complex world of senior living gives you much-needed insights and checklists to help you confidently manage difficult conversations, financial decisions, collaboration with brothers and sisters, and much, much more.

Large-Print Word Search Books

A bundle of large print word search books, crossword puzzles, and number puzzles is another great community gift for assisted living residents. Get a couple for your elderly loved one and then get a few more to place in the common areas at their senior living facility. They’ll love having the puzzles to complete – and they’ll love knowing that their friends and neighbors have someone looking out for them, too.

Self-Care Gift Certificates

Many assisted living facilities have tons of on-site amenities and activities to choose from – everything from beauty salons and nail parlors to ice cream shops and gardening plots. However, these extras aren’t always included in the monthly fee. Why not buy your older loved one a couple of gift certificates for self care services at their senior living community? Combine the gift certificate with a self-care gift box if you want to give them something to unwrap!

Classic Fruit Basket

You really can’t go wrong choosing thoughtful food gifts for senior adults. The items are consumable, so they won’t take up space permanently. And, often, these food gifts are splurges that your loved one wouldn’t buy for themselves. We love this classic fruit and cheese basket available on Amazon, but Harry & David gift boxes are also a lovely choice. Or get them a retro candy gift box from their birth year!

Skylight Digital Photo Frame

There’s a reason that WiFi enabled digital photo frames have become so popular in recent years. These connected devices allow family and friends to send new pictures directly to the other person’s frame at the click of a button. If you haven’t already gotten your older loved one a digital photo frame, put it on your list this year! They don’t have to be tech savvy at all – you can set everything up for them and then share the address with their friends and family. We love the version from Skylight, but there are lots of options available. What a wonderful way to stay connected, keep your loved one involved in your family life, and let them know that you’re always thinking about them.

Electric Heating Pad

An electric heating pad with an automatic shut-off feature is a fantastic gift for bedbound assisted living residents and for more active senior adults alike. The ability to control the temperature and have added warmth (especially around the feet!) is important for assisted living residents who may not always have as much control over their environment as they would like. An automatic shut-off electric blanket is also a good choice!

Washable Fabric Walker Caddy

If you’re crafty, you can probably make your own walker caddy with a bit of colorful fabric and some velcro. Otherwise, there are tons and tons of options available on Etsy or even on Amazon – so you can pick the style that best suits your elderly loved one. We adore presents that can also serve as wrapping, so think about filling those caddy pockets with favorite candies, notebooks, puzzle books, or other treats and tying a big bow around the whole thing!

‘I’m Not Old’ Hat

Hats make great gifts for senior citizens who may not want to fix their hair every single day but still want to look put together. Older women like them because they can extend their time between beauty parlor visits, and older gentlemen often appreciate the sun protection. You know your gift recipient’s style best, but we love this soft-faded, vintage-inspired baseball cap for both men and women. Also available in “I’m Not Old, I’m Vintage” and other designs.

Miracle Made Sheets

Miracle Made sheets are inspired by NASA and made with silver thread for the coolest, most refreshing sleep possible. Even more important if you’re looking for practical gifts for assisted living residents that will make their lives easier – the antibacterial, antimicrobial silver keeps the sheets cleaner for longer. This means less laundry, less making and unmaking the bed, and fewer harsh chemicals. These sheets are great for sensitive, dry skin and will help keep your elderly loved one safe and clean.

Stanley Tumbler with Straw

One common concern for senior citizens is staying hydrated. Carrying water or juice around would help solve the problem – but traditional screwtop water bottles can be difficult for the elderly to manage and open-mouth cups are difficult to hold and prone to spills. A high-quality lidded tumbler with a straw and a handle is the ideal solution. The Stanley tumbler is top-of-the-line with a comfort-grip handle, a base that’s compatible with car (and walker!) cup holders, and a leak-proof reusable straw design. The double-walled vacuum insulation keeps drinks cold for hours! The 40 oz Stanley tumbler is the most popular option, but a 30 oz Stanley tumbler might be a more manageable choice for senior adults.

Craft Supplies and Adult Coloring Books

Art and craft supplies are a perrennial favorite at senior living communities, and they often make a fantastic gift for your elderly loved one as well. Any supplies related to their hobbies will be appreciated: yarn for knitters, fat quarters for quilters, pastels or watercolors for painters, etc. If your elderly loved one doesn’t have a specific hobby, general craft kits are always welcome as are adult coloring books and colored pencils.

The Happy Box Subscription

Why not gift your elderly loved ones with a subscription box designed just for them? The Happy Box Subscription for senior adults contains a variety of treats, puzzles and games, and comfort items and can be shipped every month or every other month. A subscription is fun to open, contains easy-to-use consumables and other surprises and, best of all, lets them know you’re thinking of them.

Greeting Card Collection (With Stamps!)

It may seem like a strange idea, but senior care community residents like having some all-purpose greeting cards on hand for special occasions. Package up a couple of high-quality, bulk greeting card collections with a nice pen and some colorful forever stamps, and you’ve got the makings of a thoughtful and useful gift for older adults.

Window Bird Feeder & Bird Food

A transparent window bird feeder is an inexpensive but fun gift for assisted living residents. Simply help them attach the feeder to their window and watch the happy little visitors show up all year round. (Full disclosure: We have a window bird feeder, and it’s strong but did come loose sometimes. We reinforced ours with some heavy-duty command strips and it’s never fallen again!) If your elderly loved one is a more tech savvy bird watcher, they might enjoy the new Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder and HD Camera. It’s a splurge – but very cool!

Senior Citizen Texting Tee

If your elderly loved one has a good sense of humor, this hilarious T-shirt might make a great gift! Available in Unisex and Women’s styles and 15+ colors, this sarcastic shirt is sure to make them smile.

Large Digital Clock

Days and times can start to run together at a senior care community. Get your loved one a large digital clock that displays the day, the date, and the time all in an easy-to-read format. Some versions of these large display clocks will also read the information out loud at the press of a button.

Magnetic Claw Reacher

Ever dropped something in that impossible-to-reach spot and thought it’s lost forever? The magnetic claw reacher enables increased mobility for your elderly loved one. With its nimble claw, it grabs onto items big and small, while its magnetic tip ensures even the tiniest metal objects don’t stand a chance of hiding. Whether it’s a ring behind the couch or a screw in a tight corner, rescue is just an arm’s length away. No stretch, bend, or crouch required.

A Magazine Subscription

Cars. Knitting. Gardening. Bird Watching. Whatever hobby your older loved one enjoys, there is certainly a magazine subscription that would help them learn more about it every month. Magazine subscriptions make thoughtful gifts for elderly adults because they are a nice surprise every month and they are easy to consume and then pass along to other residents. If your loved one doesn’t have a hobby, or is already subscribed to a good magazine for their hobby, a general interest magazine like Reader’s Digest is always a good choice. Bonus: Many of these magazines have large print editions!

Kindle Paperwhite

No need for a magnifying glass or large print edition books when you gift the Kindle Paperwhite. If your elderly loved one loves to read, the Kindle Paperwhite is a no-brainer gift. They can choose from an entire library of free and low-cost books, and they can make the print as large as they like! The low-glare screen and easy interface is the next best thing to reading a physical book. Get them a Kindle Unlimited Subscription for a year to complete the present!

Bed Wedge Pillow

A bed wedge pillow solves so many sleep problems and health issues, from acid reflux and snoring to orthopedic distress. This cooling wedge pillow also makes a fantastic and practical gift for senior citizens – especially those who are more bedbound or less mobile. The bed wedge pillow allows them to comfortably rest and work from bed without the expense or unsightliness of an adjustable hospital bed.

Senior Nail Care Tools

Everything becomes more difficult as we age – even self-care. These nail care tools make it easier for senior adults to take care of their personal grooming chores. The long, ergonomic handles create greater leverage so they can trim their nails using less force, while the rotating head, wider opening, and precision-sharp blades cut through thicker nails with ease.

Multi-functional Jar Opener

Stubborn jars and tight bottle caps are a thing of the past with this 5-in-1 jar and can opener tool set. The easy twist jar opening tool uses an ergonomic design to make opening jars possible for elderly adults and people with arthritis. The bottle and can opener is designed for bottle caps and pull tabs, using a lever-action to supplement hand strength. Your elderly loved one will thank you for making their life easier. Makes a great stocking stuffer!

Neck Heating Pad

Give the gift of warmth! A weighted and contoured heating pad fits the curves of the neck and shoulders much better than a rectangular heating pad, embracing your gift recipient in a cozy hug. A thoughtful gift for elderly adults and arthritis sufferers – help them melt the day away while they watch the evening news or have their tea before bed.