WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (December 10, 2024) — Holiday shopping and gift-giving can often be challenging, but even more so when shopping for a person living with dementia. Depending on the stage of disease, some well-intentioned gifts may no longer be appropriate or practical for the person.
This holiday season the Alzheimer’s Association releases its 2024 Holiday Gift Guide, offering gift ideas for individuals living in the early, middle and late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The guide also includes gift suggestions aimed at keeping those living with dementia engaged and involved in everyday tasks, as well as gift ideas for family members and friends serving as unpaid caregivers for these individuals.
2024 Alzheimer's Association Holiday Gift Guide
Five gifts for people living with Alzheimer's — in the early-stages
· Dry-erase calendars and white boards are a perfect way to list reminders or day-to-day activities.
· Label makers can help people with memory challenges stay organized and keep track of everyday household items and belongings.
· Gift cards for ride-sharing services or a favorite activity (golf, movie, restaurant) allowing the person to remain active.
· GPS trackers (bracelets, watches, keychains) can keep people living with dementia safe while allowing them to stay independent.
· A “memory” calendar featuring family photos — write-in special family occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries.
Five gifts for people living with Alzheimer's — in the middle-to-late stages
· Music playlists that include the person’s favorite artists or songs.
· Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that is easy to put on, remove and wash, such as sweat suits, slip-on blouses/shirts, non-slip socks, Velcro shoes, wrinkle-free nightgowns, nightshirts or a fluffy bathrobe.
· Framed photographs or a photo collage created specifically for your loved one. Insert the names of the people in the photos to help with identification.
· Soothing gifts that can help with anxiety like a handheld massage ball or a soft blanket.
· Adaptive dining accessories such as no-spill cups, plate guards and silverware with specifically designed handles that enable greater independence during meals.
Five gifts to help with everyday tasks and keep the person living with Alzheimer’s engaged:
· A memory phone that can store pictures with the names and contact information of family and friends.
· Puzzle and activity books are a great way to keep a person living with dementia cognitively engaged.
· Card/Board games offer an opportunity to involve other family members and friends, allowing others to spend time with the person living with dementia.
· An outing to a movie, play or concert, sporting event, museum or an organized holiday shopping trip with friends and family.
· Engage your loved one in making homemade gifts for the family, painting ornaments, decorating stockings, table setting, scrapbooking or other activity gifts.
Five gifts for dementia caregivers
· Time is the most important gift you can give a dementia caregiver. Spend time with the person living with dementia and allow the caregiver a chance to run errands, go to their own doctor’s appointment, participate in a support group, or engage in an activity that helps them recharge. Even one hour could make an enormous difference in providing the caregiver with some relief.
· Self-made coupons for cleaning the house, cooking a meal, mowing the lawn or shoveling the driveway.
· Gift cards and certificates for restaurants or meal delivery, laundry/dry cleaning services, lawn-care services, computer/technology support, house-cleaning services, and personal pampering services such as massages and pedicures.
· Books — In addition to giving novels on the caregiver's "must read" list, there are many books on caregiving and maintaining self–health.
· Self-care items such as a bundle of personal care items (moisturizers, bath bombs, and soaks, foot creams, scrubs, soaps).
The Alzheimer’s Association provides information, programs and services at no charge to help families living with Alzheimer’s disease. For more information, visit alz.org or call the free 24-hour Helpline at 800.272.3900.
