| What do you get the woman who has | | | | used to. |
| everything? For the first 40 or 50 years, you | | | | 7. Slipper Bottom Socks: People with cold feet |
| were probably able to come up with great, | | | | often like to wear socks to bed. Yet socks can |
| personal, gift ideas that your Mom truly treasured. | | | | be a slippery safety hazard when stepping out of |
| But let's face it; times and needs change. Mom | | | | bed, especially on uncarpeted surfaces. The |
| may now be in a nursing home or assisted living | | | | solution? Warm socks with sticky bumps on the |
| facility. After a while we run out of good gift | | | | bottom keep Grandma's feet warm in bed and |
| ideas find ourselves to be gift-giving challenged! | | | | also prevent falls by grabbing the floor surface |
| Just as you might recall the holiday you really | | | | when they get out of bed. |
| wanted "Abby Road", and instead you got your | | | | 8. Soap for Sensitive Skin: Older skin is often dry, |
| very own fruit cake, it's your turn to rethink | | | | fragile, and sensitive. Look for soap that is free of |
| gift-giving for "Gram". | | | | irritating additives and designed for very sensitive |
| It's likely Grandma deals with chronic in pain, has | | | | skin. Health food and medical dermatology stores |
| lost a lot of physical flexibility, and can't see well. | | | | are a good resource. Consult your local pharmacist |
| Opt for resents that provide comfort, simplicity, | | | | for any special order items. |
| and independence; ten thoughtful suggestions sure | | | | 9. Silky Nightwear: Fleece-lined silk is warm and |
| to be well received. | | | | cozy for the wearer. And for caregivers, silk |
| Gift ideas for that special elder: | | | | makes it easier to roll over or reposition someone |
| 1. Back Scratcher: Seniors can't bend, twist, and | | | | in bed. But there is a downside to watch out for. |
| stretch like they could when they were younger. | | | | Beware that Grandma and Grandpa don't slide |
| Back scratchers offer welcome relief for those | | | | right off the bed and get hurt, seriously, this is |
| hard-to-reach areas that itch and when there's no | | | | true! |
| one around to offer to "scratch their back." | | | | 10. Easy Remote Control: For seniors who can't or |
| 2. Shoe Horn: Eliminate Gram's need to bend over | | | | don't want to fumble with multiple, |
| to get her heels completely inside her shoes or | | | | microscopic-size buttons, go for the specially |
| slippers with a good metal shoe horn. Look for | | | | designed three-button TV remotes. Make |
| one with a long 8-10" reach. | | | | TV-watching simple and pleasurable with a large, |
| 3. Walker Basket Attachment: It's impossible to | | | | easy to use 3-button remote control device. |
| carry anything while using a walker. Attaching a | | | | Where to Look: |
| pouch or basket, specially designed for walkers, | | | | Out and about shopping: Most of these gifts are |
| frees up hands. It's practical and a boost to | | | | readily available in your local hardware store, local |
| feelings of independence and self-sufficiency. | | | | pharmacy, health food, home health division of |
| 4. Smart Night Lights: Falling is a serious matter | | | | your local hospital store, specialty shoe stores, |
| when it happens to a senior. Bones become | | | | better department stores. Radio Shackis a great |
| brittle, break easily and heal slowly. Motion | | | | source for affordable items for seniors. |
| detector lights aren't just for outdoor use; they | | | | On-line: The Alzheimer's Store, Maxi Aids, |
| can safely light the way when Grandma gets up | | | | Walgreens and other stores that sell independent |
| in the middle of the night, greatly reducing the | | | | living aids |
| likelihood of tripping and falling. | | | | Before You Buy: |
| 5. Telephones with Sound Amplification: | | | | It's always a good idea to discuss products with |
| Telephones with cords often provide better sound | | | | Grandma's caregivers to be sure they're safe for |
| than cordless. They also operate during power | | | | her particular situation. |
| outages, while cordless phones only work with | | | | The Best Gift of All: |
| electricity. Cordless phones offer the safety and | | | | More than anything, most of us want to be loved |
| convenience of access throughout the house. | | | | and remembered. If you can, give your gift in |
| Look for cordless phones with outstanding | | | | person. If you can't, then call, write an easy to |
| amplification features "Sound amplified" or "extra | | | | read personal note, check in. Even if your gifts |
| amplification"will be listed as a key feature in the | | | | may sometimes initially be an unwanted reminder |
| on-line description, or on the box or display | | | | of the consequences of aging, letting your Mom |
| feature list. Phones with those features are | | | | know you care and are doing your best to |
| becoming much more widely available; consider | | | | promote her independence and keep in touch, will |
| one of each, for the best of both. | | | | go a long way in helping maker her golden years |
| 6. Big Button Telephone: Large, easy-to-read | | | | just that. PS., all of these ideas can be enjoyed by |
| buttons make dialing easier for arthritic fingers or | | | | Grandpa too! |
| for anyone who can't see quite as well as they | | | | |