Gift for a dementia grandparent

[CoffeeHungry]

Anyone got any idea on what to get a grandparent with dementia for Christmas?

We are in the process of moving him into a home at the moment.

No picture frames as he has loads of pictures of all the family old and new everywhere! And I got him pictures of my children in a frame for his birthday last month.

He is really far into dementia, he doesn't remember me sometimes and will call me by my mums name or by my siblings name at times. He can't cook for himself ( has careers come in for meal times) and his careers also help wash him, he dosent do any housework (he would be confused if you ask him where the hoover is) I just think anything I buy him he would put somewhere and forget about it, he often puts things in odd places and alot of stuff goes missing and found weeks on in random places. My mum jokes that the only thing he remembers is where the biscuits and cakes are kept!

For my grandma we do her a stocking of things that she needs, but nicer versions than she usually gets. So, nice fluffy socks, hankies, hand creme (the staff put it on her and us when we visit), pyjamas and lots of chocolate which is her favourite. Maybe a nice lap blanket?

Can you make or buy one of those twiddle or fiddle blankets as they are meant to be good for dementia patients.

My elderly relative with Alzheimer's loved this interactive book. It's permanently kept by her side!
www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Book-Garden-Songs-Sound/dp/1908489251

Jelly drops - made specifically for people with dementia

www.jellydrops.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3s-3w9jW-wIVgt_tCh1rTw7qEAAYASAAEgIXjvD_BwE

Realistic pet animal

www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Petzzz-Cavalier-Original-Breathing/dp/B074CWK1N1/ref=sr_1_9?adgrpid=114182476686&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvuL-4NjW-wIVGu7tCh0QbwKFEAAYASAAEgI3x_D_BwE&hvadid=592975585114&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1007000&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=938459955165876594&hvtargid=kwd-310683373125&hydadcr=24859_2271895&keywords=companion+pets+for+dementia&qid=1669838397&sr=8-9

@ITSSSSCHRISTMASSS
Yes, very good shout. Such a clever idea, and a very sweet backstory as to why they were developed.

The jelly drops, I meant.

My grandma enjoyed this book - of the tv series ‘Coast’.

amzn.to/3ue8zMf

I saw a post about a lava light up lamp that people with dementia enjoyed looking at

like others have said for my mum who has advanced dementia got her a rose ornament with mum on it nice chocs and biscuits warm scarf socks nice soaps and bubble bath and shower jel basically things she needs but posher versions

Shower gel / body spray / nice soap
New clothes
A low maintenance pot plant?
A radio?

If he likes biscuits and cakes .... surely buy him biscuits and cakes?

There is so much angst over buying presents, are you worrying for your own sake that you want to be seen as being generous and caring towards a relative .. who probably really doesn't mind or care if you give him a present at all. Spending time with elderly relatives is the nicest way of showing that you love them.

Jelly drops are a great shout! We get them for my gran. You can get them in a tray too, making them look more like a gift.

I agree @CampfireZen i remember reading the story and it just filled me up 🥲

My mother-in-law has advanced dementia, so far we have bought her fluffy blanket as she feels the cold, a microwaveable cuddly toy, and some florentines.

she wouldn't be able to concentrate on book although she did like the little catalogue from cats protection.

the best thing so far has been my daughter's kitten as she delightedly exclaims oh a kitten every time she sees him.

A bird feeder that attaches to the window. My sister is a district nurse and her older clients love birdwatching.

Dad died from advanced dementia earlier this year and honestly the best thing is time and physical contact. Hand holding, hugs. Whenever you can. I regret I didn't do enough of this.
Favourite films and tv series played on the tv is good too. Check what tech the home has.

Besides cakes and bisquits I'd go with something that would be useful for him, like a massage ball or a simplified music player, something like this or this one.
Or design him a monthly calendar planner that would hang somewhere in the prominent place and the carers or family relatives could make notes in it for him to remind him of things?

Not sure if it works for a man for for women with advanced dementia 'reborn' dolls can be good.

Maybe if he had a pet a realistic teddy of that could work the same.

Or if your up for experiances you could book some visits from an animal company.

For stocking vintage sweets/toys/books from his childhood if you know what he liked.

Not sure what your budget is but my dad has Alzheimer’s and I got him this MP3 player for Christmas last year. It’s designed for people with dementia to turn on and off with one button. He really liked it and uses it every day.

Personalised tin of quality street. You can have their name written on the tin and select their fave chocs to go in it, a fave picture of family on a cushion for their bed/sofa. Nice slippers/gloves .

Odd, but a Duplo set worked really well for my DGrandad. Building very simple towers seemed to give him a bit of purpose and a creative outlet.

An Alexa with an Amazon music subscription. He can play all the music he listened to when he was young by simply asking.

I'm so happy to see jellydrops getting recommended!
Music box with songs from his childhood.
Sweets from his childhood
Soft toys
Blankets
Robe/slippers/Pj's.
Novellas and short stories
A reading pillow

I love the idea of a realistic breathing cat/dog.

Mil has moderate dementia and gets obsessed with her old cat that spends a lot of time outdoors. I wonder if having something like this would be soothing for her? Or if she'd just get upset or confused if it wasn't walking about.

I'd be interested to hear of people's experience with them.

DF is getting a new ‘work’ shirt and I’m making up his usual hamper of chocolate treats for him.
I might get him a V pillow too, I have one to prop me self up to read a book in bed. He might find one handy too.

What did he enjoy in previous years?
Twiddle muffs can be good, a baby doll zoffany he was very paternal, or the "tools of his trade" in a dementia friendly version.