Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Gift idea for disabled lady

18 replies

BluSpider · 15/11/2020 19:31

I have a relative aged 50 who is profoundly disabled. She has mental disabilities, is non-verbal, can’t walk and needs 24/7 care. In previous years I’ve bought her a chocolate hamper but now she’s been diagnosed with diabetes. She has boxes of nighties, socks, T-shirts etc stacked up unworn and she only wears the same few that she likes. She can’t read and rarely watches tv because she doesn’t understand it. She won’t do crafts or embroidery. She won’t use toiletries or bubble bath. She won’t be able to go on a day out due to Covid (and she probably wouldn’t have been able to go in normal times anyway because of the level of care she requires). She does like to colour in but she already has colouring books and huge packs of pens and pencils.

I’m at a loss what to buy for her? Her carer has suggested just buying her more of the things she likes, but it seems silly to just buy her a multipack of cheese crisps and 20 bars of the same soap she’s been using for years.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 15/11/2020 19:34

Does she like sensory lights or anything like that?

Would she appreciate an album of family photos?

formerbabe · 15/11/2020 19:36

Does she have a device to play music on? Or audio books on CD?

UndertheCedartree · 15/11/2020 19:40

Would she like to colour some pictures to put on the wall? I'm thinking of the ones on carboard with black velvet if you know what I mean? Paper chains to make? Another thought is would she enjoy a musical biscuit tin? Does she use anything like putty or sensory toys? A light show? Does she like weighted blankets? A photo book?

DramaAlpaca · 15/11/2020 19:41

A really simple jigsaw puzzle. There are some available made with photographs so they have just a few pieces but are not childish.

I like the suggestion above of sensory lights too. You can get little projectors with coloured lights that are give a really lovely effect in a room.

Or even a small bubble tube or lava lamp.

Leeds2 · 15/11/2020 19:41

Would she like a doll, or teddy bear? I have heard people say that these can be very popular with people in a similar position.
A jigsaw, at whatever age would be appropriate.
Jewellery, in a musical jewellery box. You could probably get quite a lot of bangles and necklaces from Claire's, or similar, for not too much cost.

Sunseed · 15/11/2020 19:42

Does she have any outside space where she could put a bird feeder?

helpfulperson · 15/11/2020 19:45

Sorry, clicked post too soon. What about something like this or any of the other active minds stuff.

carbnarA · 15/11/2020 19:48

A lovely music box?

pinkpantsrock · 15/11/2020 19:50

in all honesty, if just buy her more of what she likes. It may not seem like anything special but to her it will be. It has a use / purpose and they will appreciate it.

SionnachRua · 15/11/2020 19:54

I think if the carer is suggesting to buy more of what she likes I'd listen to that. Some people with disabilities find a lot of comfort in the familiar (thinking of a relative of mine who sounds similar to yours - generally better to give him stuff he's had before). There are lovely suggestions on here too so maybe you could give something new and something familiar.

Pixie2015 · 15/11/2020 20:00

I have bought several gifts from Clara Bella this year and snuggly fleece blankets for my children - they so a wheelchair version - other than that nice toiletries x

MojoJojo71 · 15/11/2020 20:01

I’ve just bought my disabled relative this lovely soft ‘slanket’ which seems to have gone down well

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B08B82DX8B?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

BluSpider · 15/11/2020 20:05

Thanks for the suggestions. Yes, she likes the same sweets, the same soap, the same socks etc and won’t tolerate anything different. Those velvet pictures are a good idea because I know she likes to colour so I’ll buy some of those. I’m unsure about a photo album because most of the family has passed away and she gets upset looking at pictures. She might do a jigsaw with a photo of my DC though. She has hundreds of CDs that she doesn’t bother with but a small music box might be nice. Then I’ll get cheese crisps etc as the carer suggested.

OP posts:
LoveFall · 15/11/2020 20:12

Can you get her some sugar free candy or chocolates?

Sirzy · 15/11/2020 20:17

@LoveFall

Can you get her some sugar free candy or chocolates?
I wouldn’t suggest this, given the effect they have on a lot of people her carers really wouldn’t like you for that one!
Ontheboardwalk · 15/11/2020 20:27

I’ve a friend in a similar situation and tend to do light sensory gifts

LED gloves have been a hit in the past. Their favourite was flashing maracas but I’m not sure they would go down well with the careers

BellaVida · 15/11/2020 20:34

If she likes colouring what about a light board. Crayola do one.

www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/creativity-music-and-partyware/crayola/crayola-ultimate-light-board/p/173326

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread