Gift Ideas for Those Living in a Nursing Home

If you know someone who lives in a nursing home, you probably realize how difficult it is to come up with gift ideas. People who live in a nursing home have limited space, and their needs are very different from those who live in their own home. Even though someone is living in a nursing home, there are still many valuable gifts you can give that will be used and very much appreciated.

Don’t avoid giving gifts to people in nursing homes because you don’t know what they need or want. Gifts are small tokens that show care and concern, and everyone wants to be remembered, especially those living in a nursing home. If you can’t think of gift ideas for those living in a nursing home, the following ideas will help make your decision easier. These gift ideas for nursing home residents are useful, practical, and most of all, these gift ideas are thoughtful. Give someone in a nursing home the pleasure of being remembered, and give them a gift to show you care.

Keeping in Touch With the Present

Those who live in nursing homes are sometimes unable to shop for note cards, stationery, greeting cards, postage stamps, and writing supplies. If someone you know resides in a nursing home and is capable of filling out cards and letters, consider giving a gift of writing supplies, postage stamps, and all-occasion greeting cards. Also, include an address book with the names and addresses of friends and loved ones. Enabling a nursing home resident to stay in touch with friends and family is a wonderful gift, and giving a gift that allows the recipient to stay in touch with the outside world is priceless.

Bring Back the Past

Everyone enjoys remembering happy times, and for the elderly, the past is sometimes clearer than the present. Not all nursing home residents are elderly, and with this in mind, anyone would love to receive a photo album or scrapbook of valuable memories. Pictures are worth a thousand words, and giving someone a book full of familiar faces, smiles, and places is a gift that can be used and appreciated again and again.

If you have a friend or family member in a nursing home, make copies of pictures in your possession, and request pictures from mutual friends and family members. Choose a cheerful photo album, and fill the album with cherished photos of friends, family, vacations, pets, and happy occasions. The recipient will love this thoughtful gift, and they’ll be able to remember the past with the turn of a page.

Gift Certificate Ideas

Gift certificates are popular for all occasions, and there are gift certificates available for every age group and interest. A gift certificate might be the perfect choice for someone living in a nursing home. If a nursing home resident is able to leave the facility, consider buying a gift certificate for a professional manicure, pedicure, hairstyle, or massage. You might also consider a restaurant gift certificate. The recipient can use the certificate to treat a guest to a meal out, or you can be the one to provide the special treat. Consider services and entertainment that match the needs and interests of the recipient, and buy a gift certificate you know they can make use of. This is an easy gift solution for anyone capable of seeking services and entertainment outside the nursing home.

Gift Basket Ideas

Consider making a gift basket full of useful items such as socks, washable slippers, large print books, magazines, word find puzzles, lotion, talcum powder, lip balm, cologne, framed photos, and small decorative trinkets. If the nursing home resident isn’t on a restricted diet, consider including a selection of gourmet candies, nuts, or other tasty snacks. Instead of a regular basket, buy a shallow plastic box with a snap-on lid. The reusable box will make a nice “gift basket,” and it can be slid beneath a bed or table for storage.