Gifts for Elderly Friends & Loved Ones: 50+ Great Ideas
By Publisher
| Last updated
Coming up with good gifts for elderly people can sometimes be a huge challenge. After all, many seniors have particular tastes or more stuff than they know what to do with. How do you find a gift they'll appreciate? It can be even harder if they insist that they don't need anything (as so many older people do when they don't wish to be a burden).
But there are plenty of ways you can make them feel special. For many seniors, the key elements of a gift are practicality and functionality. (And when it comes to gifts for parents and grandparents, sentimentality still plays a role.) If you can come up with something that will make their lives easier, healthier, or more fun, you can bring a smile to their faces.
This gift guide includes plenty of ideas for older men and women, elderly parents and grandparents, and even those hard-to-buy-for people who already have everything. It also features dozens of ideas for older adults who are dealing with a variety of health challenges or conditions. Read on to discover how you can add a magic touch to a senior's day!
This article contains affiliate links. We are compensated with a small commission, at no extra cost to you, for sales made through the links.
Fun & Practical Gifts for Elderly People
Are you stumped when it comes to gift ideas for the senior citizens in your life? Whether you're searching for a fun present for an older neighbor or a practical gift for an aging relative, you'll get some inspiration from this list. Check out these gift ideas for elderly people:
1. Brain games
Puzzles and games that engage the brain offer numerous health benefits for elderly men and women. Crossword puzzles, word searches, and sudoku books make great gifts for seniors who enjoy a mental challenge.
Buy on Amazon2. Pill organizer
Keeping track of medications and when to take them gets increasingly difficult as people age, but pill organizers can help. You can sort out a day's, week's, or month's worth of medications and set automatic alarms to alert your loved one when it's time to take their pills. Be sure to look for a model that has easy-to-open compartments.
Buy on Amazon3. Non-slip socks
How about a gift that combines fashion and function? Gripper socks with rubber grips on the bottom can keep an older person's feet toasty warm while also preventing falls. You have your choice of a huge range of colors and styles for men and women.
Buy on Amazon4. Key finder
This is one of the most useful gifts for the elderly people in your life who constantly misplace their house keys. Ranges vary, but some models work up to 300 feet away. Seniors who have smartphones may appreciate a finder that uses Bluetooth technology; those who are more old school may prefer the radio-frequency-based devices.
Buy on Amazon5. Sleep sound machine
Sleep issues are a common complaint among elderly people, but a sleep sound machine may be a good solution. These devices generate calming white noise or nature sounds to help people relax and fall asleep faster. Some models even adjust the sound level based on the surrounding noise.
Buy on Amazon6. Portable induction cooktop
Do you worry about the safety of your loved one in the kitchen? Induction cooktops can be good gifts for elderly women and men because they only heat the pot, not the stovetop, which means it is safer. Note that only certain kinds of pots will work on these cooktops, so be sure to check into that before you buy.
Buy on Amazon7. Light therapy lamp
The dark days of winter can be enough to drag anyone down, but a lamp that mimics natural outdoor light can help brighten your loved one's day. Light therapy lamps can also be ideal for mobility-challenged seniors who find it hard to get outdoors.
Buy on Amazon8. Earthly's Unpaper Towels
Reusable Unpaper Towels are washable and can be used in place of paper towels for napkins, cleaning up spills, and wiping grandchildren's sticky hands and faces. The unbleached fabric is absorbent, durable and environmentally friendly. The cute, bright lemon design will look great on your kitchen counter.
Buy on AmazonGifts for Parents
Gift ideas for parents can be hard to come by, particularly when those parents claim that they don't want or need anything (yet you still want to bring them a bit of cheer). Here are a few suggestions for gifts for parents like that:
1. Scratch map
Are your parents the active globetrotting type? A wall map that allows them to scratch off the places they've visited can be a unique way to document their adventures as well as a nice addition to the wall of a den or rec room.
Buy on Amazon2. Throw blanket
A soft, cuddly throw blanket for the bed or couch can be just what your parents need to stay comfortable while they relax, read, or watch TV. Many throw blankets are lightweight and easy to clean, and there are designs to suit every taste.
Buy on Amazon3. Weather monitor
Many elderly parents appreciate knowing what the weather is like before going outside, so a device that displays the current conditions, as well as the forecast, can make a great gift. Wireless systems require the installation of an outdoor sensor, so you may want to take care of that yourself. Look for a monitor with a large display that's easy to read.
Buy on Amazon4. Golf range finder
Looking for gifts for an elderly man or woman who still likes to hit the links? A range finder can be an excellent addition to an older person's golf bag. These handy devices measure the distance to the pin to help the golfer plan the next shot and select the appropriate club.
Buy on Amazon5. E-reader
If your mom or dad likes to relax with a good book, an e-reader might be just the thing to bring a smile to their face. E-readers are light and easy to use; you can even preload the devices so that your parents can have dozens of titles right at their fingertips.
Buy on Amazon6. Wi-Fi digital photo frame
When you set up one of these Wi-Fi digital photo frames in your parents' house, you can upload pictures from your phone directly to the frame without them having to do a thing. (Such frames make especially good gifts for elderly people in nursing homes.) Some models even include motion sensors that turn the frame on to display the most recent photos when someone enters the room.
Buy on Amazon7. Single-serve coffee maker
Forget having to dig around for coffee grounds and filters—these single-serve coffee makers make brewing a cup of joe easy and simple. Plus, Dad or Mom don't have to brew a whole pot if they're only going to drink a cup or two.
Buy on Amazon8. Amazon Echo
Designed as a Wi-Fi-connected, voice-operated device that can perform a huge range of tasks, the Amazon Echo can play music, give the weather forecast, offer alarms and reminders, and even control the lights in a home. That makes it a great gift for older parents, particularly those with mobility challenges. You may want to include a cheat sheet of verbal commands they can use to get the Echo to perform the kinds of tasks they want it to do.
Buy on AmazonGift Ideas for Grandparents
Does trying to think of gift ideas for the grandparents in your life have you scratching your head? We've got you covered. Here are some suggestions for gifts that Grandma or Grandpa may appreciate:
1. Recordable book from grandkids
This is a personalized gift for grandparents that they will likely cherish forever. Very young children (most books are meant for those under five) can record a story in their own voices and have it play back when Grandma or Grandpa opens the book.
Buy on Amazon2. Adult coloring books
Who says coloring is just for kids? Adult coloring books offer senior citizens a fun way to relax and relieve boredom and stress. Coloring is also an excellent activity for grandparents and grandchildren to do together as a form of family bonding.
Buy on Amazon3. Grandparent Talk game
This game is a great way to bridge the conversational divide between the younger and older generations. There are 100 cards with questions for grandkids to ask their grandparents, such as "What was considered a snack when you were growing up?" and "Did you have a party line?" The answers give curious children a sense of what life was like many years ago.
Buy on Amazon4. Automatic card shuffler
Grandparents who love playing card games like bridge or rummy (but whose motor skills are a bit weak) may find it easier to enjoy the experience if they don't have to deal with shuffling the cards themselves. An automatic card shuffler can be a fun and inexpensive gift.
Buy on Amazon5. Memory and keepsake journal
When starting a memory journal, ideas can be hard to come by. That's why journals that feature guided prompts to help grandparents record the details of their lives (to share with future generations) make such excellent gifts. Most journals also include pages for documenting the family tree as well as flaps for storing photos and mementos.
Buy on Amazon6. Birthstone ring
Rings made of the birthstones of children or grandchildren make popular gifts for elderly moms or grandmas who enjoy a bit of bling. Some rings can hold up to six different stones, and some also include space to engrave names.
Buy on AmazonGifts for People With Alzheimer's or Dementia
Some of the best gifts for Alzheimer's patients and people with dementia are those that help ease their anxiety, soothe their agitation, or stimulate their minds. Check out the following suggestions:
1. Jigsaw puzzle
Why not give your loved one a gift that engages the brain and promotes relaxation? The nostalgic imagery and large pieces of these jigsaw puzzles are specifically designed to appeal to seniors dealing with dexterity challenges and memory issues.
Buy on Amazon2. Wheelchair blanket
One of the most practical gifts for dementia patients who use a wheelchair is a soft blanket that wraps around their legs but doesn't get caught in the wheels of the chair. These blankets feature Velcro loops to keep them in place; some also include hand warmer pockets.
Buy on Amazon3. Fidget hand muff or blanket
Items with a variety of textures can be excellent gifts for someone with Alzheimer's. Having something to fiddle with can soothe restless hands and reduce anxiety. A wide range of designs are available.
Buy on Amazon4. Day clock
Having a clock that displays the date, day of the week, and time of day along with the hour can be a great way for seniors dealing with dementia or memory issues to orient themselves. Most so-called "Alzheimer's clock" models have extra-large displays for easy viewing, and some also allow you to adjust the dimness level.
Buy on Amazon5. Robotic cat or dog
Allow your loved one to experience the companionship of a pet without the responsibility of caring for a living creature! Specifically designed to comfort older adults, these robotic pets sport realistic fur along with sensors that allow them to respond to human touch.
Buy on Amazon6. RAZ Memory Cell Phone
Keeping in touch with friends and loved ones is more important than ever, especially for people with memory impairments. The RAZ Memory Cell Phone offers a simplified interface to take the confusion out of making and receiving calls. The main (and only) screen displays 6-24 photos or avatars for easy, one-click dialing. Additionally, there's an emergency button that can be customized to call 911 or RAZ emergency services, and there is location tracking built into the phone.
Buy memory cell phone from RAZ7. Photo book
Customized photo books that include detailed captions identifying people and places make fantastic gifts for people with dementia. Companies such as Shutterfly and Walmart make it easy to upload photos and quickly create a book that your gift recipient will love.
Gifts for Visually Impaired People
Does an older adult on your list struggle with low vision? Here are a few products for the blind and visually impaired that make excellent holiday gifts:
1. Large print measuring cups
Does your loved one live for baking or cooking? These measuring cups feature extra large contrasting type on both the handle and cup bottom to make the task of measuring ingredients a snap.
Buy on Amazon2. Magnifying glass necklace
Necklaces that incorporate a magnifying glass make fantastic gifts for older women who need a little extra help reading things like store labels. A huge range of styles are available, so you could even buy different necklaces to match your gift recipient's different outfits.
Buy on Amazon3. Probing cane
One of the most useful gifts for a blind person, a cane allows your loved one to maneuver confidently by detecting stairs, curbs, and other obstacles. Keep in mind that straight canes give more sensory feedback, while folding canes are easier to store.
Buy on Amazon4. Talking watch
People with low vision have a hard time seeing the numbers on a standard wristwatch. That's why talking watches for the blind are so cool. With the press of a button, a voice announces the current time. Some models even set themselves and automatically adjust to Daylight Savings Time.
Buy on Amazon5. Low vision keyboard
Make your loved one's computer a whole lot easier to use! Keyboards with high-contrast oversized keys make the letters appear larger and bolder. Both wired and wireless versions are available.
Buy on Amazon6. Tip n Split Magnifier
With a built-in LED light, magnifying lens, and simple calculator, this handy device enables your gift recipient to easily read restaurant menus and bills, calculate everyone's share, and figure out a tip.
Buy on Amazon7. Big button phone with Braille keys
For a blind person, phone calls can be extremely challenging to make. Simplify the process by giving your loved one a specially designed phone with oversized keys featuring Braille type.
Buy on Amazon8. Audible subscription
This is one of those gifts for blind people that keep on giving. Each month, your loved one can choose one free audiobook from among thousands of titles and listen to it via his or her computer or mobile device.
Buy on Amazon9. Be My Eyes
This is a specially designed smartphone app for a blind person that pairs him or her with a sighted volunteer through a video call. By seeing and describing what the blind person is pointing the camera at, the volunteer can offer assistance with anything from adjusting the thermostat to checking food expiration dates. It's available for both iOS and Android.
Gifts for People With Hearing Impairments
Are you trying to come up with something special for an elderly friend or family member who is partially or completely deaf? Gifts that may bring a smile to their face include:
1. Vibrating alarm clock
Help make sure your loved one doesn't oversleep. Clocks that rely on vibrations rather than sounds for the alarm can be very useful for hearing impaired people. Some models fit under a pillow, while others attach to a wrist.
Buy on Amazon2. Video doorbell
With a video doorbell, your loved one won't have to stress about not hearing a ring. The doorbell sends an alert to a smartphone when someone is at the door and allows the homeowner to see and speak with the person standing there.
Buy on Amazon3. Captioned telephone
Your hard-of-hearing friend won't miss a word of what you're saying with a captioned telephone that instantly displays a written record of the conversation.
Buy on Amazon4. TV listening device
No one wants to miss out on the action. Help your hard-of-hearing friends enjoy their favorite television programs in comfort with an individual device that allows them to hear the TV and control the volume without bothering the people around them. You can get devices that connect to either analog or digital TVs.
Buy on Amazon5. Sound-enhancing earbuds
If you really want to go all out, try splurging on these. Among the best earbuds for hearing impaired people, these wireless headphones allow the user to choose which voices and sounds to focus on and which ones to filter out.
Buy on Amazon6. Ear Gear
Hearing aids are expensive, so why not give a gift that helps protect them? These spandex nylon sleeves keep hearing aids safe from moisture and dirt and are available in eight different colors.
Buy on AmazonGifts for People With Arthritis
For people who live with arthritis, gifts that ease pain and promote comfort are usually high on the wish list. Check out these suggestions for gifts for arthritis sufferers:
1. Extra long shoe horn
Would the senior on your list like to be able to slip into his or her shoes without having to bend over? These extended shoehorns work with dress shoes, sneakers, or boots.
Buy on Amazon2. Gel Knee wrap
Gel packs that can be shaped around an arthritic knee can provide welcome pain relief. The packs can be frozen or microwaved to provide either cold or hot therapy.
Buy on Amazon3. Magnetic ring
Magnetic rings for arthritis sufferers can be both stylish and practical. Some people find that wearing such rings helps alleviate the pain in their finger joints.
Buy on Amazon4. Automatic jar opener
Presents that make everyday tasks easier often make the best gifts. For someone with osteoarthritis, opening jars can be agony. A device that can do the task for him or her will be much appreciated.
Buy on Amazon5. Heated mattress pad
The importance of a good night's rest cannot be overstated. A heated mattress pad can help your gift recipient truly relax and let him or her wake up each morning feeling nicely refreshed.
Buy on Amazon6. Power lift chair
Give your loved one the ability to get into and out of an armchair with ease. Some lift chairs for arthritis sufferers even include massage and heat functionality.
Buy on AmazonGifts for People Who Have Everything
When it comes to people who have everything, the best gifts often focus on experiences and services or unique do-it-yourself items that they can't get anywhere else. Here are a few ideas that may help inspire you:
- An old photo that you've restored: Many elderly people have decades-old photos that could use a bit of sprucing up. An old photo that's been restored is a great gift for grandparents who have everything. You can check out tips on how to restore it yourself using Photoshop, or you can have places like Costco do it.
- Healthy senior meal delivery: Who wouldn’t love delicious, healthy meals that they don’t have to prepare themselves? Silver Cuisine offers over 150 alternating meal options that are designed by doctors and prepared by chefs. Specialty diet menus are available, including heart-healthy, gluten-free, low sodium, diabetic, vegetarian, and more. Order meal delivery at Silver Cuisine
- Monthly club delivery: Why not surprise the senior in your life with a subscription service that delivers wine, gourmet chocolate, beer, cheese or flowers to their door each month? Order from MonthlyClubs
- Gift cards for experiences: One way to bring a little cheer to your loved ones is to treat them to an outing you know they'd love but normally wouldn't do. Spas, cinemas, and restaurants are just a few of the places that offer gift cards your elderly loved ones might enjoy.
- Housecleaning or yard-care service: Many elderly people who still live in their own homes appreciate having someone else take care of scrubbing floors, cleaning bathrooms, mowing lawns, and raking leaves. You could arrange these services for them as a one-time deal or on an ongoing basis.
-
Charitable donation in their name: For people who really don't need any more stuff, a donation in their name to a charity you know they support can be the most meaningful gift they receive. (For example, many seniors would feel honored to support the American Red Cross.) You could also donate your time to the charity instead of your money and tell the gift recipient that your labors were done in their honor.
- Cooking lesson: Learning a new skill is a good way to keep the brain sharp. If any of your senior-citizen friends have a culinary bent, why not pay for a cooking lesson that teaches them how to prepare different kinds of foods they may not have tried before?
- Theater, concert, or sports event tickets: Give your loved ones an evening out so that they can indulge their interests and enjoy their favorite performers. A pair of tickets to a music concert, theatrical performance, or live sporting event would surely be appreciated.
- Ancestry.com membership: Many elderly people are very interested in documenting their family histories. A membership to an online service like Ancestry.com can guide your gift recipient through their genealogy research and help them fill out the branches in their family tree.
Spread Some Cheer
Selecting the perfect gifts for elderly friends and family members doesn't have to be difficult. Use the list of ideas above for inspiration—and make a senior feel special!
