Jitterbug phone has large numbers and screen

If you have a senior in your life, the following gift ideas can make buying a little easier. Most of these items not only make a nice gift, they are functional, too.

Think about pre-paid services. For instance, landscaping. Why not pre-pay for a year of landscaping for a senior who has a home and lawn? Other helpful pre-paid services include a dog walker, a hair stylist who makes home visits, or even a personal chef.

 A large button cell phone. One example of this is the Jitterbug phone. It has a large, lighted visual display, large buttons, and speed dialing.

A lap table. These are great for using a laptop, eating dinner on the sofa (or in bed) and having somewhere to put things like the remote, eyeglasses, and phone.

A Medical Emergency Notification System. Services like Life Alert, MedScope or LifeLine Services. These devices are worn by an individual (imagine a necklace or a bracelet) and when the button is pressed, emergency medical services are summoned.

Fashionable clothes that make life easy. New clothes are always a fun, appreciated gift. Consider your senior’s style and look for easy pieces that incorporate zippers and elastic instead of buttons or instead of pullovers that they might find difficult to pull over their head.

A large-button Universal remote.  Let’s face it – remote controls often have small buttons and are difficult to use, especially in the dark. Make television watching more enjoyable by giving your senior a large-buttoned remote that is a snap to use.

Large clock with day and date makes a nice gift for an elderly person

A clock with a large dial and day / date.  This makes it easier for an elderly person to know the day of the week and the date, as well as the time. 

A long-handle shoe horn, especially the metal kind to doesn’t break or bend.  One of the best gifts, at any age.

And, remember, if the senior in your life is finding it difficult to live independently, a CAREgiver from Home Instead Senior Care can make all the difference in being able to provide simple but important tasks such as medication reminders, transportation to doctors appointments or place of worship, help with dressing or bathing, meal preparation and companionship.  For a full list of services, please click here or simply call us at 804.527.1100 for a free, no-obligation care assessment.