Help for present for terminally ill dad

[dammit88]

Has anyone got any ideas for a gift for a man in his 70s who is terminally ill and unable to leave his home? Not in need of anything like blankets or slippers. Most interests were out of the home so im really stuck.

A photograph album full of family pictures

Firstly, I am sorry to hear this about your Dad. This time last year my own Dad was terminally ill.

I made him a big multi picture photo frame with photos of his family, and of him and my Mum together (my Mum passed away a short time before) When he unwrapped it he was visibly very moved and it took pride of place in his lounge where he could see it every day until he sadly passed away in February. It now takes pride of place in MY lounge.

A party or afternoon tea where his nearest and dearest come and make him feel loved and adored and comforted by their presence. So sorry to hear that he is so ill bless you all .

Can he do a puzzle? There are some fun ones where you use the completed puzzle as a clue to solve a murder mystery - maybe you could do it together?

My Dad died aged 70 from lung cancer. I bought him some new vests to wear to hospital appointments. He died 4 months later

Are there any magazines for his hobbies he could flick through?

When my Dad was terminally ill, i bought him a DNA profile of his rescue dog (they had always talked about doing this since getting the dog aged 6 months, and he was 14 by this time). The dog was not at all what they had been told by the dogs trust and Dad had a great time googling all the different breeds that made up their lovely doggy.

What are his interests out of the home?

Would he do anything like paint-by-numbers or airfix models? My father was in a similar situation a long time ago and we found it relaxed him and helped him through the day 💐

So sorry about your dad. I second the photo album / frame idea. And maybe some nice consumables to go with it e.g. if he's still able to enjoy baths etc some nice bath oils, his favourite treats to eat.

My aunt loved her digital photo frame where the picture changed about every 20 seconds.

But a "voucher" for a lovely afternoon tea at home, or possibly a barber to come in and pamper him might work.

I'm so sorry to hear about your DF, I hope he is comfortable and surrounded by love.

My grandad really appreciated edible luxuries he wouldn't have spent on when he was in his final months. We bought him really fancy cakes, cheeses and chocolates and a few nice tipples!
We also filled a digital photo frame with photos of his family and some precious memories of his life - he loved that.
He asked for a dictophone to record his own memories for his great grandchildren - that would have been a very precious gift for us if he hadn't got it muddled so that we only had recordings of him shuffling about in-between what he thought were his sessions recording bless him 😆

So sorry. That must be very hard for all of you. He might like a digital picture frame pre-loaded with photos of family and friends. Maybe you could then spend some time with him going through old photo albums to choose photos to add to it.

No ideas but just wanted to send some love as my own dad died on Christmas Eve after a long illness and I remember how hard and surreal it all felt - always but especially at this time of year. I hope he is as comfortable as can be and you all have support systems in place. I think the family photo collage sounds lovely.

A photo frame that changes photos automatically

Lots of lovely ideas here. I have given audible (audio book) subscriptions to terminally ill folk before.

I have also seen Yoto players gifted to elderly people - you can load up cards with their favourite tunes or (again) audiobooks.

I’m really sorry OP. I’ve been in your shoes and it’s total shit. Sending lots of love.

I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you 😥 I really hope that you all have the most magical Christmas together ♥️

A photobook, a digital photo frame, some canvas prints of lovely photos ect. would all be lovely ♥️

If he can still eat and drink as normal a hamper of all of his favourite treats could be really nice!! 😊

What about a video? You could ask family members and his friends to all record a 30 second - a minute long video saying what they love about him and/or sharing a memory and you could put them all together as one big video for him 💕

Make a big hamper of food stuff? Little luxury Christmas pud, cheese, chutney and cracker?

Alternative to photo album might be an electronic photo frame that takes SD card or USB stick

If he likes music a smart speaker Google / Amazon etc and a music subscription YouTube music / Spotify/ Amazon music etc.

Someone up thread mentioned Yoto box, I really couldn't see an attraction to them for adults, it sounds like a faff trying to get music on to it, when as an older person they are likely to have CDs / LPs loitering around in a cupboard.

I remember when my Dad was ill i considered a heated throw, and suggested it, the idea was rejected but I wish I'd gone for it. In his last months he really did feel the cold.

Op another thought to go with smart speaker, smart kettle, I can totally see the attraction to having a kettle you can switch on from the couch, get up make coffee when its boiled, instead of waiting for it.
Fill it once you've made coffee ready for next one. Especially if your not feeling that great.

Thank you for all the ideas and kindness, there's a couple here I like a lot for him, you have helped very much.

A bit random, but do you have any pre-digital film you could convert for him to watch. We have a lovely surprise for my mum for
xmas based on this ❤️