Best gifts for nursing home residents (and what to leave at home)
Key takeaways
- The gifts that get used are small, washable and easy to replace: a warm layer, photos, large-print reading, a favorite lotion.
- Ask a nurse before you bring food. Many residents are on a diet their doctor ordered, such as soft foods, thickened drinks or low sugar.
- Label everything with the resident's name, and leave jewelry, keepsakes and large amounts of cash at home.
- Your time is a gift too: a regular visit or phone call to look forward to.
A good gift for someone in a nursing home is small, useful and easy to replace. Rooms are often shared, closets are narrow and laundry is done in big batches, so the best choices are things that can be washed, labeled and enjoyed every day. Here are ideas that suit life in a nursing home, and a few things to check before you wrap anything.
Gift ideas that get used
Comfort
- A lap blanket or soft shawl. Nursing homes can feel cool to someone who sits most of the day.
- A zip-front or button-front sweater, which is easier to put on than a pullover.
- Non-skid socks or slippers with a closed back.
- A small pillow for a wheelchair or recliner.
Familiar faces and places
- Framed family photos, or a photo book with names written under each picture.
- A digital photo frame that relatives can add pictures to from home.
- A wall calendar with large numbers and family birthdays filled in.
- A bulletin board for cards and grandchildren's drawings.
Things to do
- Large-print books, crossword or word-search books, and playing cards with big numbers.
- A simple music player or radio with headphones, loaded with music your loved one grew up with.
- Audiobooks, or a magazine subscription that brings mail every month.
- Note cards and stamps, with a few envelopes already addressed.
Personal care
- A favorite hand lotion, lip balm or shampoo. Homes supply basic toiletries during a stay paid by Medicare or Medicaid, so the gift is having a favorite brand.
- An electric razor, a good hairbrush or a visit to the home's hair salon.
Your time
- A standing date: lunch every Sunday, a phone call every Wednesday evening.
- An outing. See leaving for the day or a holiday.
What should you check with the staff first?
- Food and drinks. Ask a nurse before you bring any. Many residents are on a diet their doctor ordered, and some have trouble swallowing.
- Anything that plugs in. Many homes ask the maintenance staff to look at lamps, fans, chargers and other electrical items before they are used.
- Scented products and flowers. A roommate may have allergies or breathing problems.
- Medicines, vitamins and supplements. Give them to the nurse. They are not kept at the bedside unless the care team has agreed to it.
- Plants and pets. Homes have their own policies on both.
What should you leave at home?
- Jewelry, keepsakes that cannot be replaced, and large amounts of cash.
- Candles and anything with an open flame.
- Heating pads, electric blankets and space heaters, which many homes do not allow.
- Throw rugs, which are a tripping hazard.
- Clothing that needs dry cleaning or ironing.
Federal rules give residents the right to keep and use personal possessions as space permits, as long as other residents' rights, health and safety are not affected. Label each gift with the resident's name, and ask the staff to add anything of value to the resident's inventory list.
Gifts for someone living with dementia
Choose things that are simple and pleasant to touch, see or hear: a soft blanket with different textures, a photo album with short captions, or a playlist of songs from their teens and twenties. Skip gadgets with many buttons. The activity staff know what your loved one enjoys now, which may be different from what they enjoyed a year ago, so ask them for ideas.
Can you give a gift to the staff?
Ask the administrator first. Many homes limit what an individual employee may accept. A card that names the people who helped, or a tray of snacks for the whole unit to share, is usually welcome.