Everyone knows Fathers Day is fast approaching and most of us probably already have a gift or at least one in mind. Well my dad is no longer with us so we only have my Father-in-law to spoil. He is the sweetest man. He’s also in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. This means he has short term memory loss right now so we may have the same conversation every 5 minutes but that’s okay with me. Did I say he was the sweetest?
My MIL passed away about 3 years ago and I was a bit worried about the situation. But the Lord has taken such good care of him. He’s thriving where he is and everyone loves him. Every once in a while he tells me “I’m quite the catch”. 😉 When I’ve seen him down in the cafe eating, he’s sitting at a table with 3 other ladies. He also brags about still having all of his own teeth! LOL. That cracks me up. Here he is with my sister-in-law back in November on his 81st birthday. Two happy campers.
The entire reason for mentioning all of this is so I could give you 8 gift ideas for an Alzheimer’s family member. It’s hard to buy for them. We kind of learned that the hard way. On Bob’s last birthday we gave him a new jacket. Put his name in it in everything. A couple of days later he was asked about it and said what jacket – he’d already lost it. 🙁 So I’ve decided things that he’d use daily or stay put might be more beneficial.
8 Gifts for an Alzheimer’s family member
A monthly subscription for a Crossword Puzzle or Word Search Book (This was my SIL’s genius idea)
Popcorn of the month! This one can get a bit expensive but they offer every other month too!
Bacon of the month! – Who knew right?! This has to be my fave! But they have everything really – nuts, coffee, cheese, cake, ice cream, even salsa’s.
My second favorite is this auto on and off scrolling photo frame.
How about a large heating pad with an auto off? He can place it in his recliner to help the achy muscles.
Or this heated Throw Blanket! He’d never have to leave his chair.
A Day of the Week display would be very helpful.
And this Memory Telephone with pictures is life changing for some!
I hope this helps if you have to buy a gift for a family member that has Alzheimer’s AND gives you a new appreciate for them.
Thank you for these comments. I’m the caregiver for my 89 year old father who has Alzheimer’s. I look forward to your posts.
How is your father doing? It’s encouraging and amazing to hear that you are his caregiver. I know that is a task for the strong at heart with the patience unseen by most. Thank you for your sweet comment. Big hugs
My MIL has advanced alzheimers. This is a great list. Great advice too! Our family is participating in the ALZ walk this fall in Denver! laura
Participating in the walk is so cool! Let me know if you have any advice to share. I’d love to hear it!
Oh yes. We just went through years of this with my father-in-law who was honestly one of the best people ever to walk this earth. He lived about 15 years from the time he was diagnosed to the end when we lost him this past November. Like you, we gave him favorite snacks, photos…lots of photos, lots of time because that’s what he loved the most, and useful things. We did end up giving him several jackets and warm clothes because like you said…they lose them. It’s the hardest thing but sweet in some ways. Your gift list is so smart and thoughtful!
Time is a great gift that is for sure. Bob is about an hour away and we need to get there more often. Even though it would be much more convenient for him to be near us, we don’t dare move him now. He love it where he’s at and as you know, he needs familiarity. Thank you Stacey.
One of my favorites is the clock which tells the day of the week. It has a clock face like a regular clock but the hand points to the day of the week. As a retired occupational therapist who worked with dementia patients, I’d learned a lot. Signs on the doors (toilet/bathroom/my room) can help. One ward had colored doorframes; yours in the room with the blue doorframe. Simple snacks like deseeded watermelon cut into bite-size eliminates them swallowing seeds or choking on large bites. Simple clothes; pants that have an elastic waistband (Sears used to make them), 3 button Polo shirts (look OK if not buttoned), tube sox (with no heels to have to fuss with). I used to buy housecoats for my ex’s Aunt Millie in a nursing home; I cut them up the back and sewed ties or Velcro to them creating a gorgeous johnny so she could look nice and “dressed.” Capitalize on old skills, don’t expect them to be able to learn how to use NEW gadgets. Check out medical supply companies like SAMMONS for great ideas. The book, THE 36 HOUR DAY, is a great reference for living with someone with dementia.
Kathy, you are awesome! I love and appreciate the advice. I’ll check out the book too. Thank you for the great ideas!
We might use some of these ideas in the future for him. Great ideas!
I thought we would. We might do the ice cream gift one day. Maybe to stop him from walking to Albertson’s! And I really liked the digital scrolling photo display. We could even add other family member photo’s too. 😉
Oh, Cindy, this post made me tear up! I was the legal guardian for my dear Papa Jack for the several years that he battled this disease. Such beautiful iand well thought out ideas.
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Awe. I don’t want anyone to tear up! Glad you like the ideas though! Big hugs
Wow Cindy I loved every word you said! Bob is the sweetest and I love hearing that he’s happy! The list you provided was so thoughtful and useful! I have friends with parents dealing with this horrible disease. I’m going to share this with them!
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I love hearing that! Share away. I hope the list can help someone else. Love you.
Your blog makes me so happy. Whether it’s the fun pictures or the beautiful colors or the familiar places, it always makes me smile. I especially appreciated this one because I had the pleasure of having dinner with Bob today. He is just as you described One of the gentlest souls on earth. Thanks for the smiles.
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You are welcome for the smiles and the happiness. 😉. Thanks for having lunch with Bob today too! ❤️
Such a great reminder … my mom had Alzheimers at age 72-76 and passed away 2003. We finally figured out not to correct her, or remind her of anything. The “beauty” of the illness is she did not recall trauma she suffered while a young girl. She always remembered her church hymns. Many years later, my MIL aged and had Alzheimers, and had a breast removed due to cancer. While I was assisting her in a shower, I helped her dry that area and casually mentioned I was being gentle due to the scar area. She asked why…and I explaied her past surgery…ad she swore she still had -2- breasts. Same type of situation occurred with a friend of mine whose Aunt also had a masectomy. She swore the surgery ever occurred. And we just agreed……
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Oh wow, I never thought of that! I wonder how Bob will be? I hope he only remembers the good things and his Hymns. He knows a bunch! You are one wonderful woman to assist. So many can’t/won’t. I hope to be a light in the life of my FIL when the time comes. Bless you Barbara and thank you for visiting.