What do you give to the person who has everything? Choosing an appropriate and appreciated gift for an older adult can be very difficult. The most appreciated gifts tend to be those which consider personal preferences and limitations.  Anxiety about gift-giving can be eliminated by carefully considering the situation of the person you are giving the gift to.  

As their needs change, however, they should still be able to enjoy their favorite pastimes.  Certain accommodations may need to be made in order for this to happen. For example, is the person having trouble seeing as he or she ages?  You could consider a book with larger print.  

Whether a senior is living in his or her own home, an apartment, an assisted living facility or a skilled nursing center, nostalgic items such as framed pictures tend to be appreciated, often sparking past memories.  It is important to remember, however, that as people age, they generally enjoy company, so perhaps the most precious gift that you can give is your time.  Planning an outing or a special afternoon together could mean more than anything of monetary value.  

Some examples of gifts that you could consider giving include:

•    Lotions, perfumes or aftershave
•    Gift certificate to barber/beauty shop
•    Afghans/quilts
•    Videotapes of family gatherings
•    Framed photos or photo albums with pictures
•    Collage of family photos
•    Decorative calendars with important dates marked
•    Large playing cards
•    Books with large print or books on tape
•    Large dial radio
•    Stationery items – rolls of stamps, note cards, pens and paper
•    Large print crossword puzzles
•    Night light
•    Automatic turn-off teapot
•    Prepaid telephone card
•    Rechargeable flashlight
•    Comfortable clothes