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Christmas

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Please give me ideas for a 93 year old lady

57 replies

SuzieBishop · 29/10/2019 09:19

Hello! DH’s grandma is in a care home and I have no idea what to get her this year. She doesn’t go outside due to mobility and the fear of falling so no need for cosy scarf etc, she used to love a candle but they’re not allowed them in there, she’s on a strict diet as she’s piled on weight so no sweet treats. I’m really at a loss!!!! Any suggestions?!

OP posts:
RuthW · 29/10/2019 18:07

A photo cushion or blanket. Maybe a sequin reveal photo cushion

mnahmnah · 29/10/2019 18:11

My grandma is the same age and is very independent still, in her own home, can buy whatever she needs. It’s so tricky! But the last couple of years we’ve got her a hamper of food treats and she loves it

Herecomethedaffodils · 29/10/2019 18:37

I bought one of these recently for my daughter when she started at Uni. As they are not allowed real candles in their accommodation, this made a fab alternative. They are available in silver, gold, cream. I was impressed with just how lovely they are for the price and they give off a gorgeous flickering light. Would make a great Christmas gift but can be enjoyed all year round.

www.next.co.uk/g8379s5#552216

catchingzzzeds · 29/10/2019 20:13

A magazine subscription? My 90 year old grandmother grew up in Derbyshire, she now lives as far south as you can get, she loves it when the monthly editions of Derbyshire Life drop through the letterbox.
She also appreciates new slippers, dressing gowns and pyjamas.

Serin · 29/10/2019 22:30

An Alexa or Google home device.
My 87 year old mum has one and asks it questions all day. Grin
On offer from Amazon today for £8.98 with a subscription yo Amazon music (which you can then cancel).

SallyWD · 29/10/2019 22:31

Audiobooks?

Serin · 29/10/2019 22:36

Also if I want to eat sweets at 93 years old, I will blooming well eat them.Wink

Elle7rose · 30/10/2019 00:01

A fake candle? Or Rose smelling hand cream?

Does she really need to be on a strict diet at 93?!

cakeandchampagne · 30/10/2019 00:24

You could mail a cheery note about your family’s activities every month. Include a small gift with each one if you can afford it.

ArtyFartyQueen · 30/10/2019 00:30

How about a blanket with photos? I got a relative one last year and they love it!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 30/10/2019 10:32

V difficult at this sort of age. Nice cosy dressing gown or nightie? At my mother's care home (she went in at 89) they would have breakfast in their DGs so that was her Chr. present one year.

NB - don't forget to name any clothing, and if there's a detachable belt, stitch it on, so that it doesn't get lost in the laundry. (Speaking from experience here.)

Or a nice cardi - pref. not with very fiddly little buttons, and bearing in mind that any clothes will need to be both machine washable and tumble dryable. Pockets for hankies etc. are popular, too.

BTW, if she's 93 FGS, I think it's mean to have her on a strict diet with no treats! At that age IMO people should be allowed to eat what the hell they like! Healthy eating is all very well, but once someone's in their 90s WTF is the point???

ErrolTheDragon · 30/10/2019 12:22

BTW, if she's 93 FGS, I think it's mean to have her on a strict diet with no treats! At that age IMO people should be allowed to eat what the hell they like! Healthy eating is all very well, but once someone's in their 90s WTF is the point???

That kind of sounds like giving up on them, tbh. Apart from specific health risks, the combination of increasing weight and declining muscles is a downward spiral towards major limitations on mobility, surely?

Cornishmum00 · 30/10/2019 12:46

When i worked in care the gifts the ladies most liked were nice bath stuff, photo calender, flowers/plants and nice blankets

MacavityTheDentistsCat · 30/10/2019 17:28

A picture book with photos of the Royal Family, especially the Queen. All my older female relatives love a good gander at photos of the Queen!

RiftGibbon · 30/10/2019 17:33

I've recently lost a relative of a similar age who was very frail and in a care home.
Best things we did were photo albums and carefully taking them out for a meal/drink (in later months it was just out with a wheelchair to the tea shop).

graceconell0147 · 30/10/2019 17:34

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Longbarn5 · 31/10/2019 20:35

Sea salt company do lovely soft socks

Hairyfairy01 · 31/10/2019 20:56

Nice body / face cream. Her favourite perfume. Music relating to her memories. Decent slippers (with heel support) - not the slip on kind. Photos, especially in an album, all labelled, or a nice framed photo. Cosy blanket. Nice nightdresses. Nail polish. Jewellery. Jigsaws.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 31/10/2019 22:21

Does she read? I've an elderly relative who has enjoyed her People's Friend subscription which someone bought her. She also enjoyed hardback glossy books about Downtown Abbey and Call the Midwife which were programmes she had enjoyed

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 01/11/2019 08:46

What a pious reply, Errolthedragon.

If you were 93, frail enough to need to be in a care home in the first place, and presumably with few enough pleasures anyway, would you want to be denied a few edible treats?

Well, maybe you would.

witherwings · 01/11/2019 08:53

Time!
Give her a handmade book of vouchers with promises to take her to lunch, afternoon tea or to places she is interested (if going out is a possibility).
My grandma at this age didn't want more stuff, just wanted to see friends and family

HolyGuac · 01/11/2019 12:48

Soft and cosy socks,

A few stories on tapes and tape deck or go fancier and get an Audible subscription and mini Alexa.

Soft blanket or cushion anything cosy?

user1493494961 · 02/11/2019 10:17

Lots of good ideas and I also think it's sad that a 93 year old is on a strict diet.

ErrolTheDragon · 02/11/2019 13:11

GETTING - I probably wouldn't like it, but having seen the ageing and deaths of my and DHs parents and grandparents, I really wouldn't want to be immobile either.
Undoubtedly there's a balance, but I can see why a care home might discourage gifts of sweet treats. The OP is putting thought into this, not just going for an easy option.

ItStartedWithAKiss241 · 02/11/2019 13:13

A personalised photo book with photota from her childhood-wedding-babies right through to grandchildren etc with a brief large font description on each page ? X