PATIENT AND FAMILY SERVICES blank

Gift Giving

banner

blank

Enhancing Life for the Older Adult with Alzheimer's Disease or Other Dementias: Some Gift Ideas
by
Stephanie Zeman, RN, MSN

Alzheimer's disease and other dementias all progress in a similar manner, although some cause more rapid decline than others. For the sake of simplicity, the dementias will referred to as AD.

The symptoms of AD are, for the most part, similar in everyone. The affected person loses his memory starting with the present and moving gradually back in time. Early in the disease, people with AD will also lose their cognitive ability (the ability to figure out a checkbook, or how to take a bus from point to point) and even their awareness of their own safety needs. The loss of memory and cognitive skills as well as development of confusion continues over the course of the illness which can last up to 15 years or more.

Most people with early and mid stage AD are fairly mobile and able to participate in some kind of activity. Gifts which promote activities have the potential to improve the person's quality of life, provided that they are carefully selected to match the functional level of the person with AD.

The following suggestions have been divided into gifts for early stage dementia, the moder5ately impaired, and the severly impaired. These are only a handful of ideas from which to choose:

Early Alzheimer's and Related Dementia

Most individuals at this stage are: able to communicate fairly well, quite active and need to be engaged in some activity 60% of the day. They are aware of their condition and struggle to remain independent. Gifts that enhance independence or encourage activity are excellent choices. These include:

  • Games: simple, but familiar games, such as dominos, large numbered cards, an invitation to a bingo game (be prepared to watch over your guest's card). Low priced items, but they have potential for quite a bit of enjoyment.
  • Tickets to a concert, musical, circus. Ball games can also be excellent choices. Any event without a complex plot to follow is also appropriate. For safety, either take the person or send along a companion.
  • Establish a taxi charge account for transportation to visit friends (coordinate plans on both sides of the trip). This gives the person a sense of freedom and independence when they can no longer dirve.
  • Old family photographs highlighting the major events in the person's life. Put into albums these can be useful and enjoyable throughout the course of dementia.
  • Fruit basket or flowers are always a welcome gift.

For the Moderately Impaired

Persons with moderate stage AD will have some difficulty communicating, will need help dressing, and be unable to manage most daily activities without supervision or help. Wandering is often seen in this group. Exercise is important but attention span varies so activities are best limited to 15 minutes. Try these gifts:

  • Simple to manage clothing. Tube socks are easy to put on correctly. Shoes are available with vlecro closures since shoelaces can be a problem. Jumpsuits with back closures for those with incontinence problems are very good choices.
  • Materials to sort. Sorting is an activity that most people with AD can enjoy. Try pennies and penny folders, a bag of buttons, or large beads.
  • Music. Especially the old songs often can bring back wonderful memories. Try to locate stores that have remakes of old albums. Also religious music or music of the country of birth can bring great pleasure.
  • Tape religious services. Many people with dementia can no longer attend religious services. This can bring a great source of comfort.
  • Short car trips. See holiday lights, flowers, seasonal changes.
  • Bird and squirrel feeders to watch on a patio or out a bedroom window.

For the Severly Impaired

At this stage we do not know the level of the impaired person's understanding of the spoken word. We do know that they are unable to speak coherently or make their needs known. The attention span is also very short. At this stage of the disease people do not have the capacity to deal with anything but the simplest tasks. Often times their remaining memory takes them into the past and they may believe they are living in the home or community of their younger years. At this time the following gift ideas will help:

  • Photo albums, family pictures, memory books. A gathering a pictures from the person's past can help if any memory is still intact.
  • Pet visits. Most people with late dementia still enjoy the visits of dogs, cats and other small animals.
  • Recordings of old music.
  • Cuddly animals or even a lifelike baby doll.
  • Video tapes with pleasant sights such as a garden, fish tanks and sounds can be soothing.
  • Hand/body lotions. Most people with late stage AD still derive comfort from touch. Try giving a hand, foot or back massage. (Do not massage legs, as there may be a risk of blood clots becuase of reduced activity.)

These are just a few ideas that may bring pleasure to those with AD during the holidays and on special occasions.

Home | Contribute | Volunteer | Membership | What's New | Calendar of Events | Links | About Alzheimer's | Programs & Services | Search

Last updated: January 4, 1999

Please return to https://www.alz-nova.org or
call toll-free (866) 259-0042 or (703) 359-4440
for more information about services in Northern Virginia.

© 1997 - 2001 Alzheimer's Association of the National Capital Area. All rights reserved.

  1. https://www.ceteresopolitano.org/
  2. https://www.crossingstoronto.com/
  3. https://www.jediism.org/
  4. https://www.badenumc.org/
  5. https://www.johnsevierchapter.org/
  6. https://www.trinitychapelmn.org/
  7. https://www.photogearnews.com/
  8. https://www.alz-nova.org/
  9. https://www.cigjournals.com/
  10. https://summa-edu.com/
  11. https://cpawilmingtonnc.org/
  12. https://bimometals.com/
  13. https://sosenvironmental.com/
  14. https://thefriary.org/
  15. https://post5theatre.org/
  1. https://www.apadrecordings.com/
  2. https://www.covid19innovations.org/
  3. https://mrcofs.org/
  4. https://www.connyun.com/
  5. https://www.eaglehills.org/
  6. https://saomarcosdaserra.com/
  7. https://www.moonstruckrestaurant.com/
  8. https://admupol.org/
  9. https://www.afghanwomenconnect.org/
  10. https://datajournonepal.org/
  11. https://positiveactionforptsd.org/
  12. https://jpec.org/
  13. https://www.visithoustontexas.org/
  14. https://www.lacountycleanwater.org/
  15. https://www.50yearsinexile.org/