Gift ideas for elders in a nursing home

If you need a gift for a family member or friend moving into, or already living in a nursing home, there are many ideas for you to consider. It is important to think about the individual person when choosing these gifts, and how your gift may be able to assist their transition, improve their quality of life, and help keep your loved one smiling throughout their later years. It is important to keep the individual person in mind and cater to their likes, dislikes, and possibly needs when choosing gifts for the elderly. 

Preservation of the mind is one of the most important things when aging, and especially when moving into a nursing home. There are many gift ideas that can keep the mind sharp, and even improve cognitive function for the elderly. Consider electronics such as e-readers and tablets as they can serve a variety of functions. Touch screen features can improve hand-eye coordination while allowing older people to read, better connect with friends and family, as well as play familiar games such as chess, checkers, and solitaire, as well as learn to play interactively with others. 

In addition, scientific studies have proven that exercise overwhelming helps preserve the memory of the elderly. There are many gifts that can cater to this, and make it much easier for older people to actually engage in exercise.  Consider exercise equipment like a mini bike pedal exerciser or something such as a three-wheeled bicycle --they can not only promote fitness, but also motor skills, in a very safe and effective manner. These products are excellent for physical as well as mental and emotional well-being, and make excellent gifts for the elderly.

For many elderly in nursing homes, maintaining a sense of independence is very important. Unfortunately sometimes physical or medical limitations make this somewhat difficult. Consider a gift that allows for this to a much larger degree. A good example would be carts that are made for laundry or groceries. In addition to allowing for the independence desired, this can also help elderly people in nursing homes remain more active--these carts also promote activity and provide stability while walking.

Other items to consider as gifts for the elderly moving into nursing homes should be items to make them feel comfortable in their new setting. These items can be as simple as home items, or even decorations. Keeping the individual person in mind, you can customize their new home to truly make it feel like their old one. Practical items such as skid-free plates or cups can also be very useful and practical gifts to improve your loved ones quality of life. 

When it comes to choosing a gift for the elderly, you should consider practicality, taste of the individual person, as well as how your gift can improve their mental and physical well-being so loved ones can maintain a good quality of life throughout the years.