Gift ideas for nan

[natalie_1982]

Hiya, does anyone have any ideas for a pressie for my nan? She is 78 has Altzheimers and lives in sheltered accommodation where there are shared facilities for meals (so a hamper would be pointless) and she is bathed twice a week by staff even though she has a shower in her flat (not like I can buy her indulgent bath buubles as it's not the kind of bath you could enjoy). She has a wonky hip (don't they all? lol) and so can't get out very far, and doesn't like going out for meals or anything. She does like a glass of sherry and she smokes, but everyone seems to buy her sherry and the only thing i can think of so far is getting her 200 fags, but that doesn't seem very Christmassy even though I know it would save her pennies. She has a zillion photos around the place, and she reads absolutely anything so I could get a book or photoframe, but wondered if anyone has any ideas.

P.S. No smart arse answers about if she has Altzheimers she won't mind getting the same thing twice LOL. Even if she didn't know, I would!

[REDHEAD24]

u could get a nice portrait of all ur family and get it framed

u could get her some slippers

a cd player with her favourite artist cd

[amonty1144]

Why don't you make a memory book, get a nice album and fill it with photos and momentoes, I'm sure you have some.
If you also know about her taste how about music, that can evoke a lot of memories.

[excelsior]

a digital photo frame programmed with multiple images set as a slideshow. it would save room being taken up with lots more frames

[natalie_1982]

Thanks for all your answers, I know what music she likes but she can't work a CD player (we have tried this before). For safety's sake we have tried getting a her a mobile phone too, but that didn't work either. I am dreading the digital changeover as she gets so confused and gets upset when she can't understand things or loses things.

I think I will go with the digital phot fram - thanks all :-)

[garner]

Why not stick to ciggies, they are expensive and I think she would appreciate them more being on a pension I know its not very in vogue at the minute, but she is old and old habits die hard so I think thats your best bet. g

[lorri24601]

you can get calendars made using your own family photos,not only would she have the pictures a calendar may help her with her memory and keeping track of the days as well :-)

[excelsior]

glad to have helped ...... best wishes to you both

[Naomicorlett]

Things my mum loved (in same situation) soft rug for her bed to make it more personal. Little book of photos and someone to sit and talk her thro it. Soft toy (she loved her teddy altho I felt weird about buying it) Large multi photo frame with photos clearly captioned. Hand cream ( she would sit for ages and had lovely nails cos she was a lady of leisure)(her words not mine!) Manicure done in the home ( for the same reason) The digital photo frame is good but make sure that someone will turn it on every day.
Best wishes to you both

[aims1202]

I think something personalised, like cushion or mug with a photo of her loved ones on or even a blanket with all your names sewn onto it.

[natalie_1982]

You are all brilliant, thank you so much for some wondeful ideas - I have plenty to go now :-)

Hope you all have a lovely Christmas X X X

[shivvy]

I saw a program recently about people who were 100+. The programme was very well made however when they asked very elderly people about what they wanted, the younger siblings generally took over. An example is when a granny said that the place she would like to visit but never did was china. This woman was too old and frail to travel but it struck me that it would be a great idea to have a 'china' party in her care home room ie when everyone dressed up. The idea being that if she cant go to China, then lets take China to her?

[Hellyon]

Hi Natalie, what about a giant all-in-one channel changer for the TV? A younger member of the family can prgramme all the digital devices etc into one remote, they have giant simple to follow buttons. I can't think where I saw it but if I find it I'll post it for you.

[Hellyon]

Here it is! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Big-Large-Huge-Giant-But ton-Universal-Remote-Control_W0QQitemZ28018015 3044QQihZ018QQcategoryZ91388QQssPageNameZWDVWQ QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[cruella]

Hi natalie
I would agree with Garner.
Even though cigs are not very Christmassy, I think she would appreciate them more than anything if she is a smoker.
Between that and books, it sounds like it is her few pleasures in life.
I manage a sheltered accomodation development and my tenants who smoke like to get cigs as it saves them money.
Any other gifts are stored away, normally in drawers.
Hope you and your Nan have a great Christmas.

[Jillius]

My friends elderly auntie has Altzheimers and she bought her a cd of wartime music like Vera Lynne etc. The old lady's face lit up as if she was back in her youth. It made all the difference to her and she was singing away !
It may not work for everyone but it was wonderful for her.

[Whoever]

If she likes reading, how about a year's subscription to Readers Digest? The articles are very short so wouldn't tax her concentration or attention span too much, and with one arriving every month your present would last all year round?