Gifts for Those with Alzheimer's & Dementia

By Anna Hazard

Introduction

When it comes to gifts meant for those with Alzheimer's & dementia, a common goal is to seek out presents that will work as ADLs (Aids for Daily Living). Such items would make life easier for the recipient either by helping them maintain independence, things that exercise the memory & other cognitive functions, or tools that make accomplishing daily tasks easier. Objects that are related to already established dementia-based therapies as well as those that help alleviate symptoms or otherwise improve the giftee's mood & stress levels are also good alternatives.

Gift Suggestions

Aromatherapy

• In studies aromatherapy has been found to be an effective treatment for certain dementia symptoms by helping to improve cognitive function, communication, memory recall, anxiety, as well as sleep disorders. The most popular essential oils recommended for use when it comes to Alzheimer's or other dementias are lavender and lemon balm. Other suggested oils include Peppermint, Rosemary, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, Ginger, and Sage/Spanish Sage. Essential oils can be inhaled through diffusers or applied to the skin through body and facial creams & lotions.
• Alzheimer's Aromatherapy Products  | Wellness Appliance Diffusers | Diffuser Expert Reviews | Natural Living Best Essential Oils | Essential Oil Haven | Best Essential Oil Carrier Oils | Bed & Body Aromatherapy Lotions | Ultimate Guide to Essential Oils

Memory Phones

• These types of landline phones can be called Memory, Picture, or Face phones and all of them feature large buttons with pictures of the people who can be auto-dialed with the touch of that button. Varieties include those that replace the normal number dialing function, that include a combination of picture & number dialing as well as picture dialing attachments to normal landline phones.
  
• Future Call FC-1007 | Ameriphone Photo P-300 | Serene Innovations HD-40P | Serene Innovations HD40S Amplified Picture Phone | ClearSounds CSC500 | ClearSounds CS-A1600-BT | VTech CareLine Photo Speed Dial | Innovative Technology ITGS-450 Big Button Photo Dialer
  

Day Clocks

• These clocks, also called Calendar Clocks or Memory Clocks, tend to have very large faces or print suitable for those with eyesight problems, use less abbreviations in their display to help avoid confusion, and give more information than merely the time, such as the time of the day(morning, afternoon, evening etc), day of the week, month, and year. The clocks are available in various colors and finishes, including analog versions for those who prefer a more nostalgic look over the digital.
  
• DayClox | SkyNature Memory Loss Clock | La Crosse Atomic Full Calendar Clock | SSA Digital Day Clock | American Lifetime Marble Day Clock | DayClocks Contemporary Oak Wall Clock | DayClocks Classic Mahogany Wall Clock
  

Talking Photo Album

• A good way to reminisce (and a further tool for reminiscence therapy) & act as a memory aid, these albums would also serve as good mementos to be passed down through the family and are also suitable for those who may have eyesight problems. Have loved ones record their memories in their own voices for each included photo for a both a visual & auditory experience.
  
• Talkingproducts.com | Creat-a-Memory Record and Play Family Memory Photo Album | MaxiAids Talking Photo Album | Sharper Image Talking Pictures Album | Hallmark Circle of Love Recordable Memory Album | Talking Photo Cube
  

Fidget Blankets, Quilts, & Twiddle Muffs

• Fidget quilts, twiddle muffs, and other related items are used to help with anxiety & keep restless hands busy while providing sensory stimulation. These are particularly useful for dementia patients who tend to grab at their clothes, sheets, and other surroundings. These items come in various shapes and sizes ranging from blankets, quilts, pillows, aprons, muffs, and small handheld plushes. A wide variety of styles are available from both professional manufacturers as well as hobby sewers so that it should be easy to find or have a custom blanket tailored to an individual's interests (such as a retired navy officer having a navy related blanket)
  
• Etsy Fidget Blankets | Google Shopping Twiddle Muffs | Posey 7400 Activity Apron | eBay Fiddle Quilt
  

Dolls & Breathing Toy Pets

• Realistic baby-style dolls and breathing battery-powered stuffed toys have been used in doll therapy & a variation of pet therapy for dementia. For those dementia patients who enjoy interacting with them, the toys can help with anxiety, stress, aggression and also improve communication skills. Both dolls & stuffed toys can be used as conversation starters with the plushes a particularly good choice for those pet-lovers who are currently living in surroundings that don't allow live animals.
  
• Baby Dolls
  • Reborn Believable Babies | Lots to Love Dolls | Someone to Love Dolls
    
• Stuffed Pets
  • Perfect Petzzz | LIBLO Dogs | LIBLO Cats | Precious Petzzz | Joy for All Pets

Memory Board Games

• These board games provide mental stimulation, increase communication skills & reminiscing, and help with memory recall and thus can be a very beneficial play time for dementia & Alzheimer's patients. Most are small enough to be easily toted around & stored, yet have large enough print & game components to be used by those who may have some vision or dexterity problems. Call to Mind & the various Shake Loose derivatives have been specifically designed for use by players with dementia.
  
• Call to Mind | Shake Loose a Memory | Aerobics of the Mind | Ungame for Seniors | I Got It! Card Game | Match the Shapes Low Vision Edition | Easy Number Bingo
  

Light Therapy Lamps

• Sleep disturbances are often common with dementia & Alzheimer's patients with such symptoms as nocturnal restlessness, a disrupted wake/sleep pattern, daytime lethargy, and increased confusion & agitation during the evening & night (aka Sundowning)  which may be due to changes in the circadian pacemaker within the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the brain. Bright light therapy has been found to be helpful in treating such disturbances and also is beneficial when it comes to those seniors who may also be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD).
• How to Choose a Light Box | Light Therapy Light Review | Top 10 Light Therapy Lamps | Lumie Alzheimer's Lamps
  

Music Therapy

• Music therapy is often used in the treatment of Alzheimer's & dementia symptoms. Studies have shown that music can help with memory recall (triggering past memories associated with certain music), stimulate other cognitive functions, act as a source of stress relief, as well as shift moods positively. The following music players are both simple to use with one-button play and are made in a retro style to hearken back to a senior's younger days. For those more tech savvy seniors, check out our list of Retro Music Players for more complicated set-ups.
• GeriGuard Memory Loss One Button Radio | Tivoli Audio Henry Kloss Model One Radio Tuner | Simple Music Player
  

Automatic Pill Dispenser / Medication Reminders

• A practical gift for those in the early stages of Alzheimer's or dementia who might just need a reminder when they have or have not already taken their medication for the day. Lockable versions can be used to make certain that no overdoses are possible while those variations with alarm reminders can be used to make certain no doses over accidentally skipped.
  
• Med-e-lert Automatic Pill Dispenser |  e-Pill Automatic Pill Station | e-pill Multi-Alarm PLUS Pillbox | MedReady Medication Dispenser &  Alarm | Accutab 7 Day Medicine Dispenser | MedMinder Pill Dispensers | Automatic Pill Dispenser Reviews