By Luciana Mitzkun
Care Consultant
What can I get for my (mom/dad/friend/neighbor/___) who has dementia?
This is a frequently asked question which expresses a loving concern, born from the desire to accommodate the ever-changing reality of a memory care patient and make their journey with dementia more comfortable. I also see it as a great opportunity to make a practical contribution towards their safety and wellbeing.
Throughout my experience in memory care, I’ve found a few items that can benefit patients across the whole spectrum of dementia stages. Ten of them are listed here as gift suggestions, but also as practical enhancements to quality of life of memory patients, including those living in a care home. The links under their names will take you to the Amazon store for your convenience, although they are certainly available from a variety of additional outlets, and prices may vary widely between sellers.
Here are the top 10 best gifts for memory care patients:
1 . SMPL One-Touch Music Player & Radio for Seniors
MP3 Player and Audiobooks
So easy to use, a simple button turns it either on or off. That’s it.
Although it looks like an old-fashioned radio, it plays the content of a memory card that you can load with your loved one’s favorite songs.
Music playing is a wonderful way to promote wellbeing and enhance the environment for a memory care resident. However, the wrong music can actually irritate the senses and cause agitation. Having a music device with their personal favorite songs can deeply enhance their day and create an atmosphere where activities of daily living are easier to perform.
This model is sturdy, and can sustain some hits and falls.
Pro-Tip: Turn it on while dressing or providing assistance with personal care. A favorite song can add an element of fun to those activities and help prevent resistance to care.
2 . Digital Calendar Alarm Day Clock
With Large Screen Display
There are many kinds of digital clocks available, most of them offering multiple display settings.
Having easy access to an easy-to-read clock, with large letters, and the information about the day and date, can be very soothing fo a person who may otherwise feel disoriented in time.
Pro-Tip: Set the display in the style of their preference (i.e. military time) and with only the information that’s relevant to your loved one (less is more).
3. Desk Cell Phone or Simple Landline Phone for Seniors
Home Senior Cellphone or Landline with pictures
We all love our cell phones, but it may come a time when they become a challenge for a person with dementia: they can lose the ability to navigate its multiple screens and rabbit holes. Not remembering to charge it can also become an impediment to its use.
A cell phone that looks like a desk phone can help in staying connected and can be very much easier to use. This clever phone is attached to an electric outlet (no charging required) and operates with a SIM card provided by the selected cell phone provider.
For those who prefer a landline, this model with large buttons is also very simple to use, and offers the ability to pre-program some of the keys. Load them with the numbers of family members or friends, and attach their respective pictures, which can make it much easier to operate, regardless of levels of memory loos one may have.
Pro-Tip: Plan a pre-set time for phone calls and check-ins (i.e. Saturdays and Wednesdays at 6pm.) Memory care patients benefit from having a predictable routine schedule, even when it comes to connecting with their loved ones over the phone.
4 . WiFi Digital Picture Frame
Add Photos with App
The most wonderful feature of a digital picture frame is that all in the family can join the app and easily load pictures on real time for their loved ones. Great way to stay in touch with grandkids.
They are available in different sizes, some are tabletop, others can be hung on the wall. They operate over Wi-Fi and can offer hours of rotating pictures and short family videos.
Specially for those who are new to memory care, these frames can help you stay connected with loved ones and your own personal history.
Pro-Tip: Add pictures of awards and achievements as well as family members, pets, and special occasions. These images will also serve to facilitate conversations with additional visitors and caregivers.
Surge Protector Power Strip
Flat Plug Extension Cord with Multiple Outlets
It would be very thoughtful to add this power strip to your electronic/electric gift!
With all the lights, gadgets, electronics, and conveniences of modern living, our homes have become hosts to a spaghetti mess of cords and cables.
A power-strip with a surge protector can help keep the spaghetti organized and make it easier to tuck cables clear from pathways. The multiple outlets in the power strip can feed electricity to multiple devices at once, while the surge protection feature can reduce risk of fire.
I like this kind in particular because of the flat plug, which does not stick out too far from the wall, helping prevent tearing and bending, especially when the furniture around it gets moved.
Patients with dementia love moving furniture around, often damaging electric outlets (especially those stuck with a traditional straight plug), which may result in a fire hazard. Who could have predicted that this would ever be an issue?
Pro-Tip: I usually replace every existing power strip in the home with a flat-plug model, for the safety of our loved ones with dementia. Consider the fact that they may not be able to evacuate in a timely manner should a fire start. It is that important.
5 . Clothing Labels
Self-Adhesive Name Tags for Clothes and Personal Items
There are many instances when we need to mark an item with our names. For those living in a community setting, such as memory care, this is a necessity.
I like these particular labels because they really stick to a variety of fabrics (including socks) and I have seen them holding on nicely even after multiple rounds in the laundry. They come already customized with the name on, and read well against backgrounds of different colors.
They can also be used to label solid objects, such as eye-glasses and remote controls (items that often go misplaced in memory care).
Pro-Tip: Use the preferred name of the resident, never their room number which can change over time. Label EVERYTHING.
6 . Sonic Toothbrush
AAA Battery Toothbrush
Oral health is of vital importance — it has been associated with major health issues including heart disease and even dementia risks.
Maintaining good oral hygiene habits after the onset of dementia is a major challenge for caregivers. An electric toothbrush can be very helpful.
However, many families misjudge the abilities of their loved ones to properly care for yet another gadget, and select a model requiring a charge station. Those often go missing, get neglected, or ignored, making the brushes useless.
I love this Sonic model for its simplicity: it looks, stores, and handles just like a regular toothbrush, dispensing any special care but for a triple-A battery that lasts well over two months. Replace the whole brush when the bristles’ color fade away. It does a great job at power cleaning teeth and is not too loud. Impressive.
It is inexpensive as well: the pack of two is about $15.00. A must-have for everyone who thrives in simple solutions.
Pro-Tip: When assisting your loved one in tooth-brushing, brush your own teeth at the same time. The mirror effect will be an additional encouragement to get this important job done well.
7 . Diabetic Ankle Socks
Non-Binding Circulatory Cotton Socks
BEST socks for those who have vascular issues and reduced mobility levels, whether or not they have diabetes. They do not compress around the ankles, avoiding that often familiar indentation, and preventing loss of circulation to the feet.
Comfortable, practical, and very useful.
Pro-Tip: Check the legs after removing any socks. If there is an indentation where the elastic band was bundled, throw them away. Remember: a person with dementia may not be able to tell you they are experiencing discomfort. It is up to us who care for them to ensure their comfort.
8 . Walker Coasters
Tennis Ball Alternative
There are few things more blatantly undignified than strolling with a walker outfitted with those ridiculous yellow tennis balls.
Walkers are better outfitted with these discreet, gray coasters that help walkers slide more evenly on multiple surfaces and prevent scratches on floors. Enough said.
Pro-Tip: Dignity matters. As dementia progresses one may not be as attemtive to their own appearance as they used to be. It is up to us, caregivers, to help them maintain their appearance and preserve their dignity. Believe me, it makes a difference. Even their peers affected with dementia themselves will notice it.
9 . Power Failure Night Light
Dusk-to-Dawn Sensor, Ideal for Outage
Light. It is essential for all living creatures. For those with cognitive issues good lighting is important to help prevent falls and stay oriented in space.
I always outfit rooms, bathrooms, and walkways with nightlights for residents with dementia. I like these ones in particular, because they work even if there is a power failure. They can make the difference between a short walk in the middle of the night and a trip-and-fall, resulting in a visit to the ER.
Pro-Tip: No nightlight will prevent you from falling in a cluttered room. Make sure pathways are clear of obstructions, electric cords are tucked away, and area rugs are removed. Dementia patients often wander, but have problems with perception and judgement, so we must do all we can do to simplify the environment and enhance their safety.
10 . YOUR PRESENCE
The Ultimate, Most Treasured Gift for EVERYONE Living with Memory Loss
Please consider this: The strongest, most constant emotion experienced by all people with dementia is the fear of abandonment.
Your being there for them, regardless of which stage of dementia they are in, is the most healing, soothing, and treasured gift–even if they are not able to express it in words.
Plan to stay for a while. Bring a lavender or verbena scented lotion (these are calming scents) and offer a hand massage. Or bring a couple of family pictures that help tell a story and assist in reminiscing. Make the moment: they live for it.
You can bring their favorite treat and have a bite with them. Listen to music and sing along, or just sit side-by-side in silence. Being there is what counts.
Pro-Tip: Always check with the primary caregiver before sharing any food items. There may be food restrictions.