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.

Of course, chocolate and flowers will never go out of style. But a study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships shows that most of us agree: Positive behavioral actions (what we do) are what make us feel most loved.

It turns out these don’t have to be grandiose gifts or actions, either. In fact, small gestures top the list.

Here are four categories of ways to make your senior loved one feel adored on Valentine’s Day or any time of year.

Spend Time with Your Parents

Our top Valentine’s Day gift idea for making your elderly parents feel loved: Spend time together. Quality time ranked high in this study for what makes any of us feel loved—and the results show that time with our children in particular ranks even higher. Not to mention, the importance of connecting with your parents increases with age: social isolation and loneliness carry serious consequences.

Make them feel cherished by initiating some one on one time together that’s focused on connection rather than caregiving. Some ideas include treating them to brunch, scheduling a community art class to take together, joining them to complete a jigsaw puzzle, or simply sitting with them doing whatever they’re feeling up for that day.

Show Them You Accept Them

It’s no surprise, but this study showed that feeling genuinely accepted goes a long way in making all of us feel loved. Your senior loved one will appreciate any way you can meet them where they are and adapt to the changes and challenges that invariably come with aging.

Perhaps they’re experiencing more social anxiety around larger gatherings, but you know it means a lot to them to see their grandchildren. What if you spread out a few 1:1 dates with each grandkid? This might reduce overwhelm, while still giving them the Valentine’s Day gift of togetherness.

Cheer Them on to Reach a Goal

This study showed that feeling supported to reach our life goals makes us feel loved. Find out what your senior loved one wants to accomplish. How can you show your support?

Did you hear dad say he wants to finally learn to paint? Show you believe in him with a fresh set of brushes. Know mom wants to finish that book she started writing years ago? Give her your vote of confidence with a blank journal or an upgraded computer setup.

Treat Them to Physical Affection

As signals of love go, this study suggests that physical affection ranks high for most of us. In fact, another study published by the Oxford University Press links physical touch not only to lower blood pressure and higher oxytocin levels but even a lower likelihood of inflammation.

Give your elderly parents the gift of physical affection for Valentine’s Day. This can be as simple as making sure time spent together includes touch, like a hug from you or snuggles from the grandchildren. You might also consider treating them to a professional self-care service, like a therapeutic massage or an appointment at a nice hair salon (the kind that includes a delicious scalp massage).

Next Steps

It turns out that positive behavioral actions (what we do) are what make any of us feel most loved.

When it comes to Valentine’s Day gift ideas for your senior loved ones, the most meaningful gifts are the small gestures: time spent together, unconditional acceptance, supporting their goals, and physical affection.

If you could use support with your senior loved one, we’re always available to help. Feel free to call us at 855-461-2552, or send us a message, anytime.

The post 4 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas to Make Your Senior Loved Ones Feel Cherished appeared first on Benton House.

If you’re fortunate, like we are, to spend time with senior loved ones, you know what a treasure their hard-won wisdom is to receive.

We feel selfish keeping it all to ourselves, so this year we asked a handful of our community residents if we could share their answer to this question: “What are your words of wisdom going into 2023”?

Some you’ll want to tuck away to remember, some will make you laugh out loud, and they’ll all remind you of the preciousness of life as you step into this new year. We hope you love these pearls of wisdom as much as we do.

Let’s dive in.

“It’s never too late to start something over.”

—Donna Darby, Benton House of Oakleaf: Jacksonville, FL

 “Be grateful to see a new day and love your family. Just be happy, life is too short.”

—Margaret Brown, Benton House of Staley Hills: Kansas City, MO

“Be mindful of what you say! Words can be hurtful if you are not careful how you use them.”

—Nick Calve, Benton House of Aiken, Aiken, SC 

“Let it all hang out!”

– Emery “Hink” Hinkhouse (age 105), Benton House of Olathe, KS 

“Take it easy a bit, and don’t let the little things become big things. Be more flexible.”

– Sharon Martin, Benton House of Olathe, KS

“To love everyone and to be happy and thankful for the blessing of life.” 

—Shirley Dysert, Benton House of Lenexa, KS 

“Stay busy and friendly, it helps with loneliness.”

—Peggy Perdue, Benton House of Grayson, Grayson, GA

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

—Jimmie Mae Sosebee

“Get close to the Creator in this coming year. Emulate love to everyone. If you do this, you will have a successful 2023.”

—Anonymous, Benton House of Florence, Florence, SC

“Treat everyone with kindness and respect others.”

—Margaret Weigler, Benton House of Bluffton, Bluffton, SC

“Prayers for a happy and peaceful world as we enter into the new year.”

—Ms. Margaret Lumpkin, Benton House of Woodstock, Woodstock, GA

“May all the tears of 2022 water the seeds you are planting in 2023.”

—Clarice Dunlop, Benton House of Decatur, Decatur, GA, who follows this with her favorite quote:

“We are all faced with a service of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”

—-Chuck Swindoll

 “Pray our country will change and be less selfish.”

—-Joe Dowling (91), Benton House of Augusta, Augusta, GA

 “Be resilient, and don’t get upset with the things you can’t control. Stay close to your loved ones!” 

—-Del Black, Benton House Tiffany Springs, Kansas City, MO

“Behave yourself and take care. Mind all your P’s and Q’s.”

—Carol French-Ward, Benton House of Blue Springs, Blue Springs, MO

“Have a ball.”

—A special message from Buddy (Carol French-Ward’s dog) 

 “Life is about adjustments. You either learn to adjust or you lament.”

—Andy Abate, Benton House of St. Johns, St. Augustine, FL

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5&6.”

—Marilynn Moores, Benton House of St. Johns, St. Augustine, FL

“When you have God in your heart, tell people about it. So, wherever you go, sprinkle love and goodness everywhere.”

—-Helen Howington, Benton House of Port Orange, Port Orange, FL

“Be grateful and thankful for everything we have. Also, be kind and nice to everyone around us.”

—-Barbara Lekorenon, The Garden House, Anderson, SC

“I hope that everyone can become closer to Christ.”

—Mary Jo Slice

“Bloom where you are planted.”

—Mary Taylor, Benton House of Raymore, MO 

“Keep a smile on your face always and the world will smile with you.”

—Joan Laurenzo, Benton House of Oviedo, Oviedo, FL

“Be sure and talk to Jesus every day and listen to what he tells you back.”

—Bettye Cochran, Benton Village of Stockbridge, Stockbridge, GA

“Be good to each other. Everyone should try to get along and have peace in the world.”

 —Marjorie Gilmer, Benton House of Douglasville, Douglasville, GA 

Words of Wisdom from Our Senior Living Residents

We hope you enjoyed these pocket-sized pearls of wisdom from our Benton House community. 

Wishing you and yours a beautiful new year.

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 Welcome the New Year With These Words of Wisdom From Our Senior Living Residents appeared first on Benton House.

As our senior loved ones age, we all know family holiday celebrations should adapt to make sure our loved ones still feel cared for and included. But how? Every year can bring fresh challenges, as cognitive and physical abilities change.

Let’s take a look at four simple ways to consider adjusting your holiday celebrations as your loved ones continue to age.

Plan Ahead for the Holiday

If you’re spending the holiday together with your senior loved ones, make a solid plan and do your best to follow through, making sure to adjust as needed for any medical or physical needs they might have. Structure can help reduce any anxiety they may feel about how the various seasonal celebrations will unfold.

If you’re not planning to spend the holidays together, make sure they won’t spend it alone. If they live in a care community, learn what holiday celebrations are happening that they can take part in—and encourage them to participate. If they live at home, perhaps consider seeing if neighbors and friends might be around and open to visiting.

However you plan it, focus on ensuring your loved one feels cared for.

Develop New Traditions Together

Family traditions are one of the most special parts of holiday celebrations. But some traditions become more difficult to participate in as we age. There’s no reason traditions shouldn’t evolve along with us, though.

So as you make holiday plans, perhaps consider integrating new or adapted traditions that are more suited to your senior loved ones’ current cognitive and physical abilities. For example, if they used to host and cook most of the food, maybe offer support so they can still host, but switch to a potluck-style dinner. 

Repeat Feel-Good Memories

While creating new traditions is beautiful (and sometimes necessary), is there anything that feels more warm and fuzzy than remembering past happy times with loved ones? Like spending time together watching the same holiday movies that you’ve always watched, baking the beloved family cookie recipe, or driving around that one neighborhood where all the houses are beautifully decorated with lights.

Looking through old photo albums is another way to more directly walk down memory lane together. (A digital picture frame so they can witness those memories regularly makes a wonderful gift as well.)

Help with Gift-Buying and Wrapping

Perhaps your senior loved ones don’t drive anymore, or simply feel overwhelmed at the prospect of shopping alone. But that doesn’t mean they don’t still want to experience the joy that comes from gift-giving. You can help them find gifts for family and friends in many ways, from helping them shop from catalogs or online, or taking them to the mall.

Gift-wrapping can also become more of a chore as we age and lose dexterity. Why not make a day of it as well by bringing over some wrapping paper, firing up a holiday movie, and making hot chocolate?

Next Steps 

It can be a challenge to plan holiday celebrations that not only include your senior loved ones, but also make them feel loved and cared for. The good news is that with a little creativity, you can adjust traditions to meet your loved ones exactly where they are.

Hopefully these few tips gave you some ideas to try out this year.

Have questions? We’re always here to talk through how we can best support you and your family.

If you could use any more specific guidance on planning for the future, we’d love to help. Feel free to call us at 855-461-2552, or send us a message, anytime.

The post 4 Ways to Keep Holiday Celebrations Fun With Senior Loved Ones appeared first on Benton House.