To ask for your help to plan a really important present?

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

Someone really close to me has quite bad dementia. It looks like this could be his last Christmas - it'll definitely be his last Christmas at home.

Last year I got him a retro sweets hamper, and he loved it. It was the happiest he's been in ages.

This year I'd like to make him a hamper of things that will help him to remember the past. He was born in the early 1930s - he's in his mid-80s. I'm struggling to find ideas for what to put in... i found a book that was supposed to personalise to what was popular when you were born, but it's quite high-brow and I don't think he'd understand all the fancy drawings.

I'd really, really appreciate any advice. I'm at a loss for what to put in but the man has been amazing to me and I'd really like to give him something amazing. Thank you all

[QforCucumber]

I got my nan a dvd of songs from the war - she loved it and watched it every Sunday evening. Was about £5 on amazon.

[Pretenditsaplan]

Can you get books with pictures of the place he lives/grew up? From the time he was there? I know near me we can get individual towns from certain decades. I regularlyget them for my day

[Pretenditsaplan]

*get them for my dad even lol

[Justneedaname]

The 'scrapbook' series by Robert Opie are excellent, the front covers don't give them justice I don't feel.
They are filled with images of brands and packaging, music covers, TV etc from that decade.
It's a great feeling of nostalgia flicking through and seeing bits and bobs you forgot had been around. Or indeed some that have changed so little.

Not sure which is more appropriate.

www.amazon.co.uk/Wartime-Scrapbook-Home-Front-1939-1945/dp/095479544X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479420908&sr=8-1&keywords=the%201940%27s%20scrapbook&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

www.amazon.co.uk/1950s-Scrapbook-Robert-Opie/dp/0954795423/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479421105&sr=8-1&keywords=the%201950%27s%20scrapbook&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[Justneedaname]

Sorry for the double don't up there.


I forgot to say, if you buy them/it in advance they may even help you get some prompts of things to put in the hamper

[MotherOfBeagles]

Have you looked at a newspaper from maybe the key years? 1st,16th,18th,21st?

I know my grandad was born in 1937 and he used to tell me on his birthday he would get hand knitted gloves (Feb birthday) and hat. New pyjamas, and when he was older after the war a small bar of chocolate? Could slyly have a conversation with them about birthdays when he was a kid and get some ideas that way?

Or I've just googled most popular toys from 1940s/1930s and there's some good things you could look at there? Things like a slinky and silly putty?

Also sorry that someone close to you is going through that. It truly is awful

[marriednotdead]

I bought one of the Robert Opie books for my mums 70th- she absolutely loved it

[Puffedsleevedress]

I don't have any advice better than that which has been posted already, but I do want to say that's an incredibly thoughtful idea. for you

[beelover]

Do you know where this man spent his early years? You can buy Francis Frith photographs online of many towns and villages throughout the UK taken in past times. Would be a reminder of his childhood to see images of places he would have known growing up. The long term memories are the ones that remain the longest for people suffering from dementia. I think your idea of a special present is a really lovely idea.

[mum2Bomg]

My Nan had dementia before she died and the MOST fun we ever had was taking a load of musical instruments to her home. We made some (think pasta and rice in bottles and rubber bands over ice cream tubs) and we bought/borrowed some. She spent a few hours singing all the old songs she remembered, and we had a really amazing time. It's one of my favourite memories of time spent with her once she was 'gone' if you know what I mean? She remembered all the words to 'It's a long way to Tipperary' etc even thought she couldn't remember yesterday.

[FeralBeryl]

I don't know where the hell you'd get them, but I remember working in a nursing home once where they had a lovely wooden box with 6 little bottles of 'smells' from Old Times.
It went down very well with patients with dementia. I'll have a google for you...

[FeralBeryl]

Something like this-there are 4 different versions with an accompanying CD. Really lovely gift but may be a bit pricey-think about £30

[hateadulting]

Feral that's a really good idea! I was just going to say that smell can make us feel so nostalgic.

Is their an aftershave or soap he would've used op?

[Sosidges]

I think that Music or voice tape is best for those with dementia. Suffers don't always compute looking at a picture with a memory.

I wonder if there are speeches from politicians of the day. Maybe recordings of old radio series. Ray's a Laugh, ITMA, Whacko, The Navy Lark, spring to mind

[BadKnee]

Thank you for this thread and the ideas. My mum was born in 1931 and has dementia. We are probably in the same situation as you are; last Christmas.

I am just about to order the Opie book. MN is wonderful sometimes.

Thinking of you OP - I know how hard it is.

[BadKnee]

Just listened to the Soundscapes sample. I was right back at home with my dad doing his DiY and my mum in the kitchen. Lovely idea

[doyouwantamedalorsomething]

Make a playlist of songs?

[pklme]

I was about to suggest songs! What about a children's book from the era, ladybird or something? If you ask on FB, someone will have some on their bookshelf!

[Holz2429]

Have a look online I got my Gran a book on her town from when she was a child she found this brilliant

[MagicMarkers]

I agree with music. My FIL has dementia and he lives listening to old songs.

You don't have to get a different present from last year's. There's no reason not to repeat the retro sweets present if he loved it.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

I just wanted to say thank you all again for this

I've ordered an Opie book and a Francis Firth picture of where we worked; and I'm looking into scents or sounds he might like now. He's such a lovely man, he deserves some spoiling on his last Christmas.

You've all helped immensely, genuine thanks.