Gift-giving can sometimes be tricky if you have a loved one who lives with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. But there is an abundance of gifts out there for you to choose from. There are gifts to help make life easier. Gifts to indulge to inspire. Gifts to help unwind. And so many more. Start here with these 8 great gift ideas for someone with dementia.

#1. Alexa

Setting your loved one up with Alexa in the home can be a wonderful gift. They can use voice activation to ask for the date and time, play music or the news, or look up any kind of information. Alexa can be very helpful to Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.

#2. Special pajamas or robes

Opt for comfortable, soft fabrics in their favorite color. Elastic or velcro may be a good choice, as more complex fasteners can become difficult as dementia or Alzeheimer’s disease progress.

#3. Memory photo phone

This corded telephone has 10 buttons and space for pictures next to each so your loved one can push a single button and know exactly who they’re calling. This is a good option for older people who are not tech savvy and may have trouble dialing.

#4. Coloring books

Creativity helps improve brain function. Choosing colors and deciding where to put the colors requires sustained creativity, which makes it a great brain-boosting activity. Coloring also improves concentration and releases mood-enhancing endorphins, making it a great option for people with dementia—and everyone else, too.

#5. Photo book

Creating a photo book of your loved one’s life, loves, and travels is a wonderfully personal gift that they’ll enjoy every time they open it. Having pictures of family and friends around can be especially helpful to people with dementia and Alzheimers. And these days, it’s easy to scan and digitize photos so you can make a bound book that looks professional.

#6. Bird feeder

Nature is always fun to observe. Give your senior a bird feeder and hang it outside a window where they can watch the birds come and go.

#7. Perfume or cologne

Scent carries so much memory. If you know the cologne your father wore to his wedding or the perfume your mother wore when she the danced nights away at Studio 54, the gift of nostalgia may release a flood of wonderful memories and stories.

#8. Treats and goodies

As we age, our taste buds decrease significantly. Some types of foods begin to taste bland, but our sweet taste buds tend to remain active. If your loved one has a favorite type of cookie or a special treat they’ve mentioned when recounting stories of their travels, it could be a wonderful gift to enjoy in the moment.

Dementia Care Center in San Diego at Bella Vista Health Center

If your loved one needs dementia care, we can help. At Bella Vista, our in-house occupational therapists are highly skilled and compassionate providers who create customized treatment plans designed to help people living with dementia maximize their strengths and adapt to the changes they’re experiencing. For more information on our Dementia Care Program, please give us a call at (619) 399-7920 today.

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