Inexpensive gifts for people in "elderly homes?"

[luvdzny]

DD is in the local Medical Explorers group. They have decided to give gifts to children in the hospital and to residents in retirement homes. The kids gifts will be easy, I am looking for some inexpensive ideas for the elderly residents. Any suggestions??? Thanks!

 

[Bon Bon]

Warm socks. I know it sounds funny but elderly feet are always so cold. My grandparents were always wearing warm socks or slippers, even in the summer.

 

[Cindy B]

Socks, slippers, robes, or other things like that.

What type of elderly homes? Is it assisted living, or live in with meals?

My granparents are seniors and don't want or need anything... but I am giving them grocery store gift certificates, I know that they will use them!

 

[FreshTressa]

Those fleece socks are nice!

I just got a bunch of mini disney snow globes for like $5 at TDS to give out.

Nice fresh dishtowel sets are inexpensive and nice to get too.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I used to work in nursing homes. Bath powder, hand lotion, boxes of tissues are all appreciated.

 

[nativetxn]

Good tissues. The home provides tissue but it is yucky. A couple of boxes of Puffs or another good tissue brand would be appreciated.

Candy, depending on their diet restrictions. The bags of miniature bars are perfect.

Warm socks or houseslippers. Hand lotion. Recorded books.

Most important of all...<i>time</i>. Just spending time with people in nursing homes is the most precious gift of all. Some of these people have visitors only once a week and some of them never have visitors. It's very sad, really.

 

[ByTheSea]

Stationary (envelopes) and stamps

also homemade cookies if they are allowed.

Those were the gifts my Grandma (who was quite the letter writer) liked the best.

 

[Karel]

My grandmother is in an assisted living home and it's hard to buy her things. I like the cookie idea. She always sent cookies when I was in college. Maybe we'll bake this weekend and she can share with her friends.

Maybe some good room fresheners - like plug ins from Bath and Body or something? My aunt made a comment last year about the 'smell', like a hospital smell. I'm trying to find something that is not a candle.

Cards or little games? My grandma is always playing cards.

Last year I gave her the Suave bath gel and body lotion - they have Christmas sents.

 

[sha_lyn]

I agree that time is the best gift but as for something you can actually give to them...

fleece throws, slippers, slipper socks.

books on tape

large print books or magazines

almost anything hand made

house plants

You could also call ahead and see what they need. Perhaps if the girls (and boys?) have time they could buy the materials for a craft and come in and help with it.

 

[luvdzny]

Thanks for the great ideas, we will be shopping this weekend and this will definately help! My mom is 83, but she is the most active person I know so I wasn't sure what to buy!

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Socks are a good idea, but PLEASE make sure they have grippers on the bottom of them!