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Elderly parents

Help wanted! Christmas present ideas for mother who's had a severe stroke

7 replies

GumtreeGirl · 04/12/2011 23:31

Hello,

I don't post much, being more of a lurker, but I'm hoping someone here can help.

My 77 year old mother had a massive stroke 2 months ago. She's lost speech, the ability to swallow, and all movement for her right hand (she's right handed). She has some movement in her left hand and can scribble on a white board, but confuses letters. She can also nod yes or no in response to questions.

She's very present, and hasn't lost cognitive ability; she still has a sense of humour but unsurpisingly is very depressed by her situation. She's about to move from hospital into a care home.

It seems very trivial given the circumstances, but we (the family) are struggling to come up with ideas for Christmas presents for her. She's not doing well with audio books as she can't manage the controls on the cd player; her ability to read is very limited (we're not sure how much this has been affected; she recognises letters but not always words, but in any case she struggles to hold a book, let alone turn the pages).

So far the best I've come up with is things along the lines of lovely nightwear, wraps, slippers etc, or else things to go on the walls of her room, but these seem both quite bland and also too 'stroke-related', iykwim. Xmas Sad

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any ideas? Anything which didn't work?

Thanks!

OP posts:
belledechocchipcookie · 04/12/2011 23:35

My ex-fil had a stroke a few years ago and he's still rehabilitating.

Magnetic pictures so she can communicate with you are very helpful. My FIL liked pictures of ds and his other grand children.

I hope things improve for her really quickly. Sad

oreocrumbs · 04/12/2011 23:39

Could you take her somewhere? This may not be possible with her mobility/level of care, but if you could (in her wheelchair etc) how about a theatre show/opera?

Or if she likes pampering could you get a mobile beautician to give her a manicure/haircut etc?

GumtreeGirl · 05/12/2011 22:40

Thanks both for your ideas. We're looking at magnetic letters anyway, cookie, but will have a look for different types of other magnetic pictures as I think these might help. It's so difficult as we're not sure how her brain is now wired as to whether she responds better to images or symbols/letters.

Pampering is definitely an option oreocrumbs, I think there's a hairdresser that comes to the care home, and it's not something my dad would think of organising for her, bless him!

Trips out would be great, but I think she's still a long way from being able to sit up for more than an hour or so. One to have on the back burner though.

Thanks again :)

OP posts:
lookoveryourshoulder · 13/12/2011 23:55

.. how about getting some nice massage cream and giving her a gentle hand/nail massage...

I did this for my Mum a little while back - and whilst she could not commumicate any longer it did give us a little "together" time... and no words were needed...

mycatsaysach · 13/12/2011 23:58

skin care and nice toiletries
cosy blankets and throws
something nice to look at - pictures or photos in nice frames
slippers dressing gowns

CrystalTits · 14/12/2011 00:02

I'm with lookover, my DGM loves having her hands massaged with hand cream and nails done from a selection of nice polishes that she can choose from. Also loves a pretty necklace (long ones are easy to get on & off) and silk scarves. Family photos also v popular.

Hope your DM makes progress - one small step at a time. Thinking of you.

twentyten · 14/12/2011 17:24

A good friend who worked in a care home said she often got pictures or cuttings framed about the person- to help the staff know about the real life of the person- and talk to them about it( however. One way) electronic picture frame? I'm trying to sort this for my fil. Good luck.

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