Dec 11, 2024

Cool Christmas gift ideas for older adults aging in place or independent living

It’s the holiday season and most people have Christmas shopping on the brain. It can be difficult to think about the perfect gift for that special someone in your life. If you’re looking for a suitable gift for an older adult aging in place or independent living, look no further. We have some cool Christmas present ideas that we’re sure they’ll find very thoughtful. Loretto’s Vice President of Impact and Mission Mary Koenig and Kara Gemmell, Director of Independent Living at The Nottingham, also share some ways these gifts can bring comfort and joy to their holiday season.

Cool gift ideas for older adults living independently

Amazon Alexa

The Echo Dot and Amazon Echo

Is your loved one trying to find a quick dinner recipe? Maybe they want to listen to one of their favorite songs or just want to check the 7-day forecast. Amazon’s Alexa can help. Alexa is a voice-activated AI that connects to the internet. It’s triggered by saying “Alexa” and finishing with a task you need assistance with. For instance, instead of getting that heavy cookbook off the shelf, you can say “Alexa, find a recipe for chocolate chip cookies,” or “Alexa, what is the weather going to be like this week in Syracuse, New York?”

“Many seniors may find the current version of touch screen smart phones daunting. Consider, instead, devices that can be voice-activated, digital photo frames, wearable devices such as watches or rings which encourage staying active,” Gemmell says.

“For those who have a comfort level with technology, a voice-activated device like Alexa can be a huge help. My 87-year-old mother loves her Alexa. She uses it daily to find out the weather, play songs, and tell her jokes,” Koenig says.

Alexa is versatile. It can reply to the user verbally or use captions in different font sizes for those hard of hearing or visually impaired. The best part? Alexa comes in several different models so finding one that suits your loved one’s needs is just as easy as asking what a Yule Log is. The simplest model is the Echo Pop which rings in at around $18, while the most sophisticated one, the Amazon Echo Show 21, is $400.

Browse selections for Amazon Alexa to find the perfect one.

Special Blankets

Step away from an ordinary knitted blanket and mix it up with something even more functional. Especially for the colder months, heated blankets are great for those snowy cold nights, or anytime an older adult needs a bit more warmth. Heated blankets are electric and are often equipped with a remote control to adjust the temperature, according to Amazon.

Another great option is a weighted blanket. These blankets are filled with microfiber beads, sand and other materials to help simulate deep pressure, which has been shown to help with sleep and stress relief. If you’re looking into getting an older adult one of these, keep in mind, that most people will want one that is approximately 10 percent of their body weight. So if an older adult weighs 170, a weighted blanket might feel most comfortable at 17lbs, according to WebMD.

You can shop for heated blankets starting at $4 or weighted blankets starting at $8.

Monthly Subscriptions and Gift Cards

Why not give a gift that keeps on giving? Monthly subscriptions are the perfect gift for older adults who have specific hobbies, enjoy special treats, or need a service that makes their lives easier to navigate.

Grandbox – It’s a monthly subscription box for grandparents that you can personalize with letters, photos and a unique gift that’s sure to put a smile on their face, according to their website. In addition, it comes with healthy snacks, and it comes with activities to keep them mentally and physically happy. There are four plans to choose from and shipping is free. A month-to-month plan is $47.00 while a 12-month Prepay plan is $515.88.
JIGGLY – This fun subscription service sends a different puzzle to your door monthly. You can also set it up for bi-monthly deliveries as well. It’s perfect for the older adult who is serious about their puzzles. Boxes come with a 500-piece puzzle and glue to keep it as wall art, according to their website.
HelloFresh – This grocery delivery service is perfect for the older adult who may have difficulties getting to the grocery store, or who doesn’t want to sacrifice a tasty meal for less time in the kitchen. Choose dietary and lifestyle preferences, how many dinners a week you’d like to have and how many people will be enjoying them. You can select from a wide range of recipes with all the groceries you’ll need and easy instructions to prepare them. Price is fixed depending on preferences, meals a week and portion sizes, according to their website.

If you’re passing up on this option, consider a gift card to a grocery delivery or meal delivery service like Grubhub or DoorDash. Gift cards help make shopping and access to convenient services easier, and cheaper and it saves time.

“For someone who spends a lot of time at home, monthly subscriptions for special treats or snacks can be a nice surprise,” Koenig says. “For those who have access to a smartphone or tablet, gift cards to Amazon, Instacart, and DoorDash (for example) can allow them to order what they need from the comfort of home.”

Smart Bird Feeder

The Birdbuddy smart bird feeder

For the older adult that’s crazy about nature and bird watching. Skip the binoculars and think about getting them a smart bird feeder. Brands like Birdbuddy or Birdfy have camera features installed right into the feeder, according to features listed on Birdbuddy and Birdfy. If your loved one has a smartphone, they can watch birds coming in for a snack all day long. Features vary by manufacturer. Browse smart bird feeders today to find the perfect fit.

Maintenance Services

Acts of service are a love language. You could always volunteer to cook a meal for them, do the laundry, or pick up medications. Consider chipping in for some home maintenance to help keep their home comfortable and enjoyable.

“Paid services like snowplowing, housecleaning, and help with home maintenance are wonderful gifts for seniors living at home. Does your loved one have a pet? If so, taking the pet to the vet or groomer can ease the mind of your loved one,” Koenig says.

Find a provider that’s right for you and your loved one on sites like Angi’s List. You can type in your zip code to see who is offering these services in your area.

Time With You

This is something money cannot buy. More than anything, your loved one is going to cherish the time you spend with them. Older adults continue to want to feel purposeful and socially connected, and one of the most important ways of doing that is continuing to flourish the bond they have with you and others.

“If you live in the vicinity of your loved one, I guarantee that the most desired gift is going to be time spent with you,” Koenig says. “A homemade coupon book for anything from help with chores around the house to special outings is bound to spread holiday cheer.”

“Share an experience or hobby together that they enjoy, the gift of your time and the opportunity to practice a hobby that they haven’t enjoyed perhaps in a while will create new Memories,” Gemmell says. “Gifts that help build connection and also preserve their stories. There are many branded versions of this essentially the question and interviews books, apps, photo albums to help capture their histories.”

Whatever you get your older adult this year, it will be treasured because it came from the heart.

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