HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FOR SAVVY SENIORS

Are you a Santa's helper running short on time this holiday season? Don't get your "tinsel in a tangle!"

Here are some great holiday gift selections for those shopping for tech savvy seniors or elderly loved ones, as well as family members who might be physically or cognitively impaired.

For those who are “forgetful:”

• Digital key or phone finders that clip on like Tile Mate – the squares can even slide into your wallet
• Programmable pill dispenser those from www.MedMinder.com
• TimerCaps from CVS to fit pill bottles, the caps have a built in stopwatch that keeps track of the time passed since bottle was last opened
• Magnetic reminder refrigerator notepads with pens attached     
• Calendars featuring family photos – with all the birthdays and anniversaries marked in!
• White boards with erasable markers for key rooms in the house

For those with Arthritis:

• Ergonomic computer mouse and writing aids
• PopSockets – an expanding stand and grip for smartphones and tablets so you don’t drop them
• Cooking tools and gardening items with special non-slip grips
• Grab tools and reachers for things in high places

For those with Parkinson’s or tremors:

• “Liftware” stabilizing technology compensates for tremors - spoons and forks are available that make meals less challenging at www.liftware.com
• A Fitbit can encourage exercise

  For those hard of hearing:

• Consider giving the gift of a hearing aid – they can be expensive and are not covered by insurance, amplifiers are also available for mild hearing loss; there are deals at www.aarphearingcare.com
• Wireless headphones or wireless streaming devices from the TV to the hearing aids
• Beats Studio has an extra large over-the-ear headphone that will fit over a hearing aid device

  For those visually impaired:

• Audio books and a disc player with a “resume” function
• Attractive and decorative handheld magnifying glasses, many come with LED lights now
• Smart readers, desktop video magnifiers or mini electronic magnifier from www.enhancedvision.com
• Oversized digital LED calendar clock with alarm – shows the time and date
• Atomic makes a talking wrist watch with an alarm – it speaks!
• Weemote - Simplified senior remote control with 5 buttons for favorite channels, and up/down channel surfing and volume button

For those with mild cognitive impairment:

• Memory Picture Phone. A “photo” phone button is programmed to a specific person’s phone number, and then picture of that person is added to the button. One touch dial. Amplified.
• Talking Products LTD. makes a photo album that lets you load photos and then record a short reminiscence or message that can be played over and over.  
• Interactive books – there are many apps available for the i-pad, here is a good link: http://www.apppicker.com/applists/3126/the-best-interactive-books-for-ipad

 For those with dementia or with Alzheimer’s:

• Music for Alzheimer's is a set of 4 CDs enhanced with Altus Ocsillation for the Alzheimer's Patient available at www.amazon.com. It has 4 hours of great musical classics for folks 70 years of age and older: Big Band Medleys, Vocal Standards, Instrumental Medleys and Light Classical Favorites.  Research has shown music has a positive impact on individuals with Alzheimer’s, it can bring back memories, and be soothing.
• Interactive adult coloring books can be very therapeutic, or try sketch pads and colored pencils
• Put old home movies and family memories on a DVD
• Purchase movies or beloved TV shows on disc, holiday specials, musicals, etc.

For those with pain or difficulty moving:

• Swivel Seat! Super for anyone with pain in the hips and spine. Makes transferring in and out of a car or standing up from a chair easier, it swivels 360° www.arthritissupplies.com   
• Intelligent electric blankets and heated throws are therapeutic, try www.berkshireblanket.com
• Virtual Reality headset can help with pain management
• An Echo or Alexa device from Amazon can save steps – with Echo “Show” you can face to face call hands free and so much more
• BioFreeze cold therapy products are great for muscle/joint aches and pains etc., and make super stocking stuffers     

Of course, the best gift of all is the gift of your time! Remember if you can’t always be there for a loved one, Visiting Angels is just a phone call away at 561-328-7611. Let our family take care of your family and provide peace of mind. 

Till Next Time!

Irv Seldin, JD, President and Owner, Visiting Angels of the Palm Beaches