Present idea for elderly female relative with dementia

[Nickinoo30]

Any ideas?

My Aunt is mid 80’s with dementia. Doesnt really leave the house. In the past I have done chocolates/treats, gloves, the usual smellies.

what am I missing?

Grateful thanks for any ideas/advice.

Does she like sorting things? If so, how about a button bag

A nice warm fleece blanket?

It depends how advanced the dementia is, my aunt is in the later stages and struggles to swallow now. We've found chocolate lollies are good as wee treats as she can suck on them and find it easy to hold.

In the earlier stages a photo blanket was great as it helped her talk about the important people in her life. Now she just seems to like the faces.

It's so hard thinking of something that will help or she'll like.

A picture of a favourite pet that she owned in the past.

I mean one that looks like it eg a black lab if she once owned one

Digital photo frame. We got one for my 90 year old gran in law a couple of years ago and she LOVES it because someone techie uploaded a bunch of nice photos of her younger days, her family and friends, and now she can see them all while she's in the nursing home.

Selection of teas

I was coming on to say a blanket, favourite photos enlarged in an album, potted hyacinths for her room, bird feeder to see nature outside her window

I paid for a local hairdresser to come and do my Aunts hair - she still liked looking smart

My mum loved this, she was quite agitated and it saved her picking at her clothes.

She also loved perfume right until the end, so I bought her a small bottle of Chanel No 5 which I or one of the carers would spray a little bit on the back of her hands each day. I'd often see her raising her hand to sniff it and she'd smile to herself.

Some fresh lavender if you can find it. Pop it in a small cloth drawstring bag or a home made wheat bag. The smell is extremely evocative for memories and even if not then she can pop it next to her pillow to help with sleep.

a large free standing digital clock with calendar.
it says today is friday evening the 11th of november 2022.
7:45 pm
some you can press and it speaks all this too.

Did she have pets? I see some beautifully contented residents in homes with these types of pets, they have batteries and ‘breathe’, they bring such comfort and provide occupation for unsettled hands

www.stressnomore.co.uk/precious-petzzz-dementia-friendly-therapy-pet-dog-12807.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAvK2bBhB8EiwAZUbP1H9q2HMlzqBzAkgICzXqRggNKxVH3T_ezTVq79VG6Hhr0VrwDJT4fRoC2CQQAvD_BwE

I've bought my MiL a fleece blanket as she feels the cold and the crochet one she's using weighs a ton, and could cover the isle of Wight. We've also bought her some Florentines and will get her chocolate gingers. She also enjoyed having a big box of chocolates for her birthday. I think though that she'd be just as happy with a punnet of grapes.

How does her dementia manifest? If she's in the early stages then books would be nice, especially if they have nice pictures, later then some of the things above. Mil also has a huge teddy which she cuddles and talks to and sometimes takes to bed.

Jelly drops water sweets to ensure she is hydrated

A memory book a nice notebook where you get close people to write their favourite memory with her.

Does she have a favourite song or artist? Music and the memory of music persists after much else has gone (and others have already covered smells).

If her dementia is quite advanced, a baby doll. Apparently these can be great as it takes the mind back to their children as babies, or even childhood.

I came in to say the Jelly Drop sweets and also the pet therapy pets, we are getting our Aunt one this year. Also you could consider a baby doll, my friend manages a care home with dementia residents, I gave her several baby dolls for them, apparently they are also good therapy, especially for patients missing their babies.

Fiddle blankets are apparently brilliant.

A doll. I bought one for my grandmother last year and she just adores it. She is also fond of a teddy.

My DM is mid 80s with the beginnings of dementia we think and she also has poor vision now. Familiar things are good, nothing she has to learn to use. Blankets and large photos are the most popular gift now, or I usually treat her to a day out e.g. stately home, lunch, gardens, whatever she feels like doing.

I got Dad a large dementia display clock - tells you the date, day, time and whether it's morning, afternoon and evening all in a massive font.

A filled photo album, get the whole family involved?

Something to cuddle - a toy animal? A doll?

The one button radios are good as well. Depending on her capabilities they can be great.
You can also get fiddle matts much like the the ones which are cylinder shaped but can be laid flat on a table.

Wow! I am blown away with all your responses - such fantastic ideas. Thank you all so much.