What to send someone in a nursing home?

[Jennifer S]

My grandfather is in a nursing home. I am sending him a package today with homemade cookies, some candy and pictures of the family.

What else can I put in it?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Maybe some fruit and warm socks. Are you close enough to deliver it in person? I'm sure that would make him happy. I'm doing the same myself this week to see my aunt who has Alzheimer's.

 

[Chuck S]

Is he the type of person to write to friends? Maybe some pens, writing paper, envelopes and postage stamps (remember postage is going up). Does he talk on the phone? Maybe a small prepaid phone card, if he calls long distance. It all depends on his individual preferences and his abilities.

 

[powellrj]

addressed greeting cards for birthdays. If he was the type to send birthday cards before the nursing home, this is great because the cards are addressed and all he has to do is write a little greeting in them to mail.

 

[Jennifer S]

Hey these are some great ideas. He doesn't write though and he's too far to make a visit this week. I'll go after the holiday. I just wanted him to know Iwas thinking about him.

 

[CajunDixie]

DHs grandmother loves getting boxes of sugarfree candy so she can share with "her girls" and the nurses/attendants.

Does he have any interests such as certain kind of puzzles, reading, cross stitch or anything like that? One nursing home I know of has several bird feeders outside the patients rooms they can watch so they always appreciate bird seed. Another has a recreation room that has a book exchange, puzzles and snack area.

Maybe a quick call to the nursing home will help you know more about what seems to be his favorite activity.

 

[ntburns22]

A calendar with everyones birthdays,anniversaries,and ect already filled in.

 

[4cruisin]

I agree with the warm socks. Also, things like unscented hand cream, a warm lap size blanket, large piece puzzle and snacks are great ideas. Even a nice warm sweater is good. I'm sure the nursing homes are feeling the heating crunch and older people are usually sensitive to cooler temperatures.
The best gift will be a visit from you. When my mom was in a nursing home, I was horrified by how many people never had visitors. It was heartbreaking.

 

[barkley]

if he reads then a magazine subscription can be great. i'm getting my mom (in assisted living) a "gulity pleasure" subscription-her favorite is "the national enquirer"! (she would never admit to it, but she sure is willing to take old copies off my hand when i offer ).

 

[Parkhopper]

I send my grandmother large print books and she loves them!

Suzi

 

[anewvance]

I also agree with the sock. My grandmothers very good friend was in a nursing home for quite awhile until she passed away last month. She always was happy with a nice new pair of socks...

 

[SleepyMom]

I agree the warm socks are a good idea, also slippers with a rubbery bottom.
Lap blankets are also nice, especially if you could make one yourself with a fabric of something he enjoys. Make sure you mark his name on anything though.

I always kept goodies in my Aunt's bedside drawer, for her to enjoy whenever she wanted and also for her to share.

 

[needanewjob]

We give my grandmother a few rolls of quarters so she can get snacks from the canteen at her center. Magazine subscriptions also sound like a good idea.