Present ideas for dad with dementia

[Chickenlicken15]

Hi I’m looking for present ideas for my dad please. He has dementia and has just gone into a home. Last year I bought him some nice food/ snacks etc but don’t think that will work for him this year - I don’t think he would now look at a coffee table type book - I’m sure he doesn’t need any more jumpers etc so am a bit stuck. Any ideas gratefully accepted !

Would he enjoy listening to music? Perhaps a tape player with cassettes if someone at the home would put them on for him to listen to. (Ignore if you don't think he would like it. I'm so sorry he is unwell.)

I am in the same position. I’ve defaulted to a hamper I’m making up with sweet treats because I know he loves chocolate. There is absolutely nothing else I could think to get him tbh. It seems really mean to just give him that but clothes/books/more photos are pointless, he doesn’t do puzzles/games/music and there is nothing else he’d enjoy except chocolate. I feel the staff may judge it as a crap gift, but I’m clueless about what else I could get, so I’m hoping someone offers some suggestions on your post that I could also pinch.

Thanks glad I’m not the only one! I think eating is one of the few things he would still enjoy - Thanks for the music idea will have a think

A cosy blanket to put over his legs

I'm sure you can get special fidget type things with zips etc on.

These are the sorts of things we bought for my grandma.

A photo album - printed type with lots of photos he can move through. Perhaps with names with them?

A fiddle blanket comes up a lot.

If he liked pets, maybe one of those lap cat or lap dog toys?

My mum has dementia, the best gift I have got her was a star/space projector for the ceiling she loves watching it from and it calming. It's so tough to know what to buy but this was and still is a big hit!

I'm just getting my stepdad some fancy biscuits. Sadly he doesn't really understand gifts anymore, but he does still like to eat biscuits.

Digital photo frame with some pictures of him and his family through the ages?

If he had pets, perhaps a soft toy hand warmer / hot water bottle.

Safe (non slip & secure) warm slippers

A warm shirt with poppers instead of buttons

Honestly don't worry about what the gift is or putting pressure on yourself, he'll just enjoy your company and positive, warm feelings.
My fil went into a home this year, there's nothing he needs or wants and can't have too much stuff - another guy in there has audio books played to him and fidget toys, ours just enjoys the treats in my bag when we visit and a little pamper - we rub his hands with hand cream and some face cream as it's so drying and warm in the home. It's the touch, chats and Mikado choccy sticks he loves.

Some photos of his younger days if you have them. Often, people with dementia can remember stuff from the past but can't make new memories. I made a photo album for my dad with pictures from before he started to lose his memory.
You have my sympathy. It's really tough xx

We did a photo book in the style of this is your life, from as early as we could and labelled it up with names, dates etc so the carers can talk to him and get to know him better

Better than things are visits. And holding hands and hugs. I completely underestimated how much older people with dementia miss and appreciate human contact. Just be there as often as you can. Really. A hand hold is a huge deal.

Other than that, are there any old cine films or videos you could put on an iPad with photos? Staff sometimes have time to help residents see them.

A memory book? Does he read? A fiddle muff is a good idea too

Could you post a link to what you got her please?

When my mam was alive and in this position I got her a cushion printed with pictures of our remaining family members. She had pictures in her room but kept getting put in drawers when the staff cleaned so I thought it was better for the cushion to stay on her bed to always be on hand. Think it was from Photo box. She died sadly not long after, so now I have the cushion on our bed. It's really special to me.

I've bought the care home something a few times after speaking to the Manager/Activity coordinator. Such as Jigsaws with 30 large pieces, craft supplies, plants and this year I bought some outside christmas lights for the garden,

My dad had dementia due to a head injury, so he declined over years. It was not diagnosed for a long time. His list of gifts not to give grew, so no books, CDs, food, alcohol, toiletries, clothes! In his final couple of years his favourite gift from us was a snuggly fleece blanket from Tu. Lovely maroon one side and reindeer pattern the other. He dribbled, and this was so easily washable and dried. He would fall asleep every afternoon with it over him. He also really liked the M&S shortbread so I would buy a tin every year. My problem was that his birthday was November so no chance to spread it out! So occasionally I did double shortbread! I did small jam variety from Fortnum and Mason - that was successful for several years. Also woolly socks to keep him warm as he sat a lot.

A photo blanket with his favourite people on.

Is he very fidgety? My dad is. I found some simple puzzle type games where he can move things about. I'm hoping they will be a hit, but I don't know yet.

When my Nan went into residential care. I bought her a nice cushion and blanket in a nature design that was up her street to make her room more personal. She really liked the cushion in particular.

Or a photo cushion with his favourite people on.

I bought my Dad both with his Mum, Dad and him on as he began talking alot about his parents.

We got fil a cuddly dog that looked like a dog he used to own. He loved it and carried it about with him.

There are some 'memory books' on Amazon with photos from events in the 1920s/30s.

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/jelly-drops-sweets-tackle-dehydration-dementia

Music with 'old time tunes'. He'd need someone to play them though.

Photo book with old photos

Sorry I don't know where I got it, probably Amazon, it must be 3 years ago now but still used everyday. If you Google astronaut projector it's like that, ours isn't an astronaut though it's very boring looking!

Thank you so much for your ideas I really appreciate it - I just feel so sad at the moment that dad is now in a home I know it is the best thing for my parents but it is an adjustment I know I am lucky that he still knows me at the moment and is still able to talk a bit