It can be hard to find just-the-right present, one that makes them feel seen and appreciated—and that they’ll actually use. Whether you’re shopping for their birthday or a larger holiday, we’ve got just the gift guide for you.

We’ve grouped these ideas into meaningful categories of gift ideas for your senior loved ones to help you find that perfect present. Let’s jump in. 

Support their brain with a game

What about a gift that’s both fun and supportive of their cognitive health? A great gift idea for older parents is a game to help them stay mentally active and enjoy themselves at the same time.

• To inspire socializing as well, consider giving them a board game that requires more than one player, like Scrabble or checkers.
• For an activity to help fill downtime spent alone, more solo-style activities like a jigsaw puzzle or book of crosswords make great gifts, too.

Make memories last longer

Holidays are full of nostalgia to begin with: why not draw out that magical feeling with a gift to make memories last even longer?

• A traditional scrapbook always always brings smiles, and can be a fun gift to get the kids involved with, too.
• There are also plenty of simple ways to transform family photos into gifts—like a digital picture frame or  these custom photo coasters.

Bring nature to them

There’s no doubt about it: time in the natural world enriches our lives. But of course, as we age it tends to become more challenging to engage as actively in outdoors activities. Bring a little of the outside world to your loved one this holiday with a nature-inspired gift.

• Consider hanging a bird feeder outside a window so they can enjoy the flurry of activity.
• If they like to cook, an indoor herb planter makes a beautiful and functional gift.
• Perhaps the simplest idea on our list, low-maintenance houseplants are lovely ways to breathe a little extra vibrancy into your loved one’s home.

Make their lives better with technology

Depending on your loved one’s lifestyle, there may be just the perfect gadget to make their life a little easier or more fun.

• For example, a tablet with integrated accessibility might make browsing the web more enjoyable.
• If they like to get out and about, a fitness tracking watch could inspire them to track their steps and challenge themselves to keep moving.
• And if your loved one leans more low tech, perhaps something more traditional like a new reading light to support their reading habit makes the most sense.

Subscribe them to something special

What about a gift that keeps on giving? No matter what your older parents enjoys, you can find a subscription they’ll look forward to getting every month, guaranteed.

• Try a niche subscription. From flowers to books to wine to ice cream, you can have just about anything shipped to their doorstep each month.
• Don’t forget about more traditional subscriptions, like that magazine you always see them flipping through at the grocery checkout.

Gift them warmth and comfort 

Don’t sleep on everyone’s favorite gifting category: all things cozy.

• Consider something soft and wearable, like a fleece robe, a pair of plush slippers, or a comfy blanket to wrap up in while they relax on the couch.
• If they have plenty of soft wintry clothes and throws, they’ll be sure to appreciate a more interactive gift, like one of these back massagers or an aromatherapy pad they can warm up in the microwave.

Spend time together

Let’s wrap up with the our favorite gift idea for your older parent: time spent together. And by that we mean time together focused on fun, not caregiving.

Since Isolation and feelings of disconnection pose a serious health risk for older adults, gifts that encourage time together can go a long way in supporting the health of your loved one during the holidays and beyond.

Bonus: Making a meaningful gift of time time together can also be absolutely free.

• Consider something simple and casual, like bringing over a box of pre-made holiday decorations (or DIY seasonal decor supplies) and spending the day together making their home more festive.
• Turn time together into a more formal gift, like a one-time cooking class you can both attend or a series of once-a-week art classes you’d both enjoy.

Next Steps

We hope this list of holiday gift ideas for older parents helps you find just the right present for your senior loved one.

If you could use support in another way with your senior loved one this holiday season, we’d love to help. Feel free to call us at 855-461-2552, or send us a message, anytime.

The post 16 Delightful Gift Ideas for Older Parents (That Support Their Health and Well-Being) appeared first on Benton House.

Common Challenges During Holidays With Elderly Parents

The two most common challenges we see here at Benton House may seem in some ways to be opposite ends of the spectrum, but that’s not necessarily true. It’s natural for aging seniors to experience either loneliness from missing friends, or overstimulation from too many people, over the holidays – and it’s also not unusual for your elderly loved ones to experience both at the same time.

Let’s take a deeper look at both common experiences during the holidays with elderly parents, including what to look out for and how you can support your loved one to feel like they are an important part of seasonal celebrations, while still maintaining their sense of safety and comfort.

When Seniors Miss Friends and Traditions 

“I’m the only one left!” is a quip we often hear from seniors.

While it’s often said with humor, the reality is that there is a hard truth behind the joke. As we age, our circle of friends grows smaller. It’s painful to lose peers as you get older, and the holidays highlight this like no other time of year.

Seniors may experience loneliness during the winter season, triggered by missing their peers. It often surfaces most acutely during the holidays because of the loss of treasured traditions with friends who are no longer around.

So, what can you do?

First, look out for signs of listlessness, withdrawal, or even depression:

• Have mom’s grooming habits changed?
• Is dad sleeping more than usual?
• Is mom still getting out and walking every day? (Or another activity she usually enjoys.)

Consider how you may be able to offer support:

Perhaps mom has lost a dear friend she used to always go holiday shopping with to mark the season. Though of course you can’t replace that friendship, offering to take mom to the department stores can help both get her mind off missing her friend, and also restore some of the tradition she loved.

Maybe dad used to play a celebratory golf game with friends who are no longer with us. Is there a grandchild or someone in the family who enjoys the sport and could revive the tradition in a new way?

If your parents used to go to a certain church service together, can the kids and grandkids rally to keep up the annual tradition, even though dad is no longer around?

When Seniors Feel Overstimulated From Holiday Activities

One of the challenges of holidays with elderly parents is that some seniors, particularly those who experience dementia, may feel overstimulated from holiday hustle and bustle.

Often at Benton House we see children come to pick up their parents for a specific holiday celebration, and discover that mom or dad has decided they don’t want to attend. This can be painful to receive, and hard to understand, but holidays can be overly stimulating for some seniors.

They’re comfortable in their familiar environment and routines, and experiencing dementia can often mean large groups feel too stimulating and confusing.

So, what can you do?

First, try to understand where your loved one may be coming from, and remember that whatever they’re experiencing is valid, and not personal to you.

If you’re noticing unexpected resistance by mom or dad about joining in on holiday festivities, take a moment to empathize and see if you can find a solution that will work for everyone.

Consider how you may be able to offer support:

Try to meet them where they are by considering some alternative approaches, whether your loved one lives in an assisted living home or in their own home:

• If your loved one experiences dementia, can you bring one or two grandchildren along to visit at a time to reduce overwhelm and create a calmer environment for a special visit?
• If your loved one doesn’t have dementia, or is open to leaving their familiar space anyway, can you pick them up and bring them over to a small gathering of just a few family members, versus a 30-person holiday evening?

Meet Your Loved One Where They Are

Whatever your elderly parents are experiencing this time of year, our best tip is to be gentle, understanding, and direct where possible. We want mom and dad to feel like they’re a vital part of the holiday season, while still being sensitive to their evolving needs.

Our last tip for enjoying the holidays with elderly parents is to simply ask mom or dad what’s important to them to do over this season. You might be surprised to learn what they would enjoy most.

If you could use support navigating the holidays this season with your aging parents, we’re always here to talk.

Call us at 855-461-2552 or send us a message, anytime.

The post Enjoying The Holidays With Elderly Parents: Balancing Celebration and Support appeared first on Benton House.