With Christmas fast approaching, it can be difficult trying to figure out what to get the elderly members of your family as gifts. When asked what they would like, they usually respond with a “To spend the day with you.”, and when probed further, you are likely to be met with an “I have everything I need.”

Non-slip house shoes

This is a common gift idea for seniors but the fact of the matter is as feet get older, they hurt. A new pair of soft slippers with a good grip will not only help keep feet warm and comfortable but will help to prevent slipping while walking around the house too. Why not throw in a pair of Christmas themed non-elastic socks as a fun stocking stuffer? We know that our residents love getting into the Christmas spirit this time of year!

A book of puzzles or brain games

Not only are these books entertaining, but they’re good for brain health too! Keep your loved one’s mind active with Sudoku, crosswords, and other fun puzzles - don’t forget a smart pencil set to go with it! Better yet, why not get them a travel-size Scrabble set or a similar game that they can play with you and the grandkids around the Christmas dinner table or during your visits to Le Domaine Care? Any gift that they are able to share with you is bound to be a success. 

Memory box or scrapbook

The perfect gift to organise life’s greatest treasures and keep them safe. A beautiful wooden box is a lovely addition to a room, made even more significant by being filled with special photos, letters, cards, drawings, and other mementos that can be easily found whenever they feel like taking a trip down memory lane. 

Bird book and binoculars

Bird watching can provide hours of joyful entertainment, especially with a nice pair of binoculars to make it easier to admire their beautiful colours. Paired with a large letter bird book that your loved one can refer to when attempting to identify the various species, this special gift is perfect for Le Domaine Care residents as our tranquil gardens are teeming with magnificent bird life just waiting to be discovered.

Journal and pen

Older people have hoards of fascinating stories that they have collected over the years (many that we were not a part of) to share with the world. Take it from us, we have the pleasure of listening to these stories every day at Le Domaine Care. Encourage your loved one to write their own stories down for future generations by buying them a beautiful journal and a non-smudge pen for Christmas. They may seem apprehensive at first, but it’s amazing to watch how their faces begin to light up once they start to reminisce over the years past. If they have arthritis or other conditions that make it difficult for them to write, do the writing on their behalf, giving them the further gift of your love and attention.

Clothing

If you notice that your loved one’s wardrobe is wearing a bit thin, changing out their old clothing for some new items is a lovely idea for Christmas. It is important to take note of their dexterity and mobility before you buy new outfits for their wardrobe. Our friendly caregivers and nurses at Le Domaine Care would be happy to give you some suggestions on what would be the best items to invest in to ensure that your loved one not only feels good about themselves but is comfortable too. Should they have difficulty reaching over their heads or have trouble with things like buttons, adaptive wear might be a good option to ease the daily struggle of dressing. 

We hope that these gift ideas inspire your Christmas shopping this year and make it a little easier to choose the perfect gift for the precious elderly loved ones in your life. 

From the Le Domaine team, we hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!