Gift Ideas for an Elderly Parent

Now that spring is here Mother’s and Father’s Day will be here before we know it.  For many of us that means trying to think of a thoughtful gift for an elderly parent. 

There are a couple of reasons this task can be difficult including the fact that seniors often have most everything they need already.  In addition, your parent may be living in a smaller apartment or resides in a senior living community where many of his or her day-to-day needs are met.  In other words, they are not running a full household including cooking daily meals or doing a lot of in-home entertaining.

Living in smaller quarters also makes gift ideas more challenging as they may not have a lot of extra room for more stuff.  This is why unique gifts that are practical, personal or help to improve quality of life make great presents and the Internet has lots of ideas. 

A popular suggestion is memory-making presents and each year there seems to be more and more clever options to choose from.   Throws and mugs with pictures of family are always welcomed as is a moving picture frame chocked full of recent photos of the grandkids (or great-grandkids).  Also remember your time is one of the best gifts of all and giving an elderly parent an empty photo album, a box of family photos and a commitment that you will help them put it together is a way to make new memories and share old ones.  

Another good gift is a sound machine for anyone with problems sleeping, and many can be set to run for a specific time.  Monthly subscriptions for baskets of particular foods they love, fancy lotions and soaps, teas or other goodies also make excellent gifts.  If a loved one is hearing-impaired, a wireless headphone set that clarifies dialogue from the TV is a gift they will appreciate as well as everyone around them.  For the sight-impaired, consider a lighted magnifying glass or oversized playing cards and such. Puzzles, fancy coloring books with a new set of colored pencils or markers, or brain games are also good ideas. 

At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we proudly offer exceptional senior living southeast of Portland, OR.  Our beautiful assisted living and memory care community provides all of the services and amenities residents need to ensure their utmost comfort.  Please visit our website for availability and pricing. 

MorningStar of Happy Valley offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  Please visit our website for pricing and availability or to set up a tour of the finest assisted living and memory care in the Happy Valley–Clackamas area.