Submitted by Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community
If you have loved ones in a skilled care facility, you know it isn’t easy to think of gifts they will truly enjoy that won’t take up too much space and are easy for them to manage. Here are a few ideas for the upcoming holidays.
Lap robe
Seniors are often cold, and a cozy lap robe will be welcome and well used. If you are handy, you can crochet a small lap cover, or sew a small fleece blanket. Small-size throws are also readily purchased.
Walker bag
More attractive than the usual basket, a bag will also be more useful if it has pockets or dividers, and won’t let small objects slide out.
Grippy socks
Feet get cold and slippers are not always at hand. Cozy
socks with gripper soles will help prevent falls and
accidents on slippery floors.
Hand and body lotion
Senior skin is often dry and sensitive, and frequent hand washing or sanitizer use makes hands even drier. A small bottle of gentle lotion in a mild but pleasant scent will help those winter skin problems.
Wheelchair cushion
A good cushion will make using a wheelchair much more comfortable, distributes weight more evenly, and can help protect skin from breakdown.
Iron-on labels
A must for a nursing home resident! They will appreciate a simple way to mark their items and keep them from going missing in the laundry. Even better, offer to iron them on!
CD Player with CDs
CD technology isn’t popular any longer among younger people, but it is so easy for seniors to use.
An assortment of favorite artists will bring hours of enjoyment.
Don’t have much money to spend? The greatest gift you can give is your time. Spending an hour talking, singing, sharing a meal, or working a puzzle with a nursing home resident will brighten his or her day more than you can imagine. Happy holidays!
Meadows offers senior living options, including independent living, skilled nursing care, memory care, respite care, and inpatient or outpatient Achieve Wellness and Rehab Therapy. Call Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community in Chenoa at 309-747-3635 to learn more about Meadows, or visit www.MeadowsCommunities.org.