Trying to come up with gift ideas for Dad was always hard. Now that he resides in a nursing home, I find it even more difficult to think of an appropriate gift that won’t just be in the way. You know he doesn’t want or need a lot of extra stuff to clutter up the room as space is at a premium. The absolute best gift is your time; hopefully, you can visit regularly and provide company and conversation. He may not be able to show it at this point in his life but trust me, a visitor is a treat and always appreciated.
You may decide you want to bring an actual gift to make the holidays a little more special. If so, think about what you might buy that could be either useful, stimulating or add beauty to the room. We don’t recommend pricey electronics that could be mislaid and hard to find later. Below are ideas for gifts to help make this time as happy as possible for your loved one.
What Types of Items Make Great Gifts for Someone in a Nursing Home
Choosing a thoughtful and practical gift for someone in a nursing home requires consideration of their needs, preferences, and the limitations of their living space. Think about the individual’s health, mobility, and personality when selecting a gift. It’s also a good idea to check with the nursing home staff for any restrictions or recommendations based on the resident’s needs. Here are some ideas:
Comfortable Clothing
For example, your dad might like soft, comfortable pajamas or loungewear. Non-skid socks or slippers for safety make a good gift too.
Memory or Photo Gifts
Consider photo albums or digital frames with pictures of loved ones or memory books or scrapbooks to encourage Dad to reminisce about his life.
Entertainment
How about audiobooks or books in large print? And if he enjoys puzzles, think about crossword or Soduko books. Music provides many benefits for older adults, so you might also consider a portable music player with headphones.
Technology
Many older adults enjoy using simple and user-friendly tablets for video calls or playing games.
Personal Care Items:
Personal care items are generally needed and appreciated. Buy quality toiletries, such as scented lotions or shower gels, electric shavers, or grooming kits.
Comfort Items
My dad really loves his cozy blankets, neck pillows, and special support cushions.
Therapeutic Items
Weighted blankets and massage devices for comfort and relaxation make awesome holiday gifts.
Sensory Stimulation:
Some older adults really enjoy aromatherapy diffusers or scented candles. Soft, plush toys or stress-relief items are often a hit as well.
Outdoor/Indoor Plants
Low-maintenance plants or flowers can brighten up the space at the nursing home.
Christmas Gift Ideas for Nursing Home Residents
Here are some of our favorite ideas for you if looking for a gift for a loved one in a nursing home!
Large Screen Digital Clock with Time, Day, and Date
Many find it increasingly more difficult to keep track of days, dates, and times as they age. Your favorite senior may need to keep track of medications or appointments. The large display makes this digital clock an ideal gift because of the easy-to-read face that spells out the time, the day, the date, and whether or not it’s morning or night. This clock is helpful for anyone but is of particular benefit to people with dementia or macular degeneration.
With lots of frame options to choose from, you can easily match it to the decor in their room. I recently bought this clock for my dad. He put it on the window seat and looks at it all the time – it’s very helpful! It’s one of our favorite gifts for senior men in nursing homes.
Nixplay Smart Digital Picture Frame
Help your loved one stay connected with this top-selling 10.1-inch digital picture frame! Amazon certified (and can work with Alexa), you can easily share photos and video (up to 15 seconds) privately and safely via e-mail or app.
Manage the frame with your phone, either iOS or Android , and connect to Google Photos to ensure your frame is always up to date.
The website also supports Dropbox, Facebook, and Instagram. The smart frame is wall-mountable and the 1280×800 HD IPS display auto-adjusts to portrait or landscape placement.
A motion sensor turns the frame on or off automatically. This gift keeps on giving!
StackCare
Fabulous! StackCare uses discreet motion sensors and artificial intelligence to learn individual behavior and activity patterns, sending notifications directly to your phone. You get to see at a glance, simply and easily, if your loved one is sleeping okay, is visiting the bathroom too often, and whether his/her activity patterns have changed. Technology for seniors has gotten better and better over the years and this is a product that provides an abundance of peace of mind for caregivers! Great gift for seniors living at home as well!
Sociavi
Designed for older adults who are not tech-savvy, this technology helps aging adults and their families and caregivers continue to share moments and stay closer together, even across long distances. No login, no password, no account setup, no username! So easy! Plug in the monitor where your Dad can see it easily, download the app on your phone, and voila! Your face appears on the monitor without your loved one having to even push a button. A video call has never been easier! You can see them and they can see you. This technology is also great if your loved one tends to wander at night – you will be able to see if they are safe and sound in their bed or not. We also love that anyone with the app can upload images immediately to the monitor. But wait, there’s more! Sociavi also comes with a wide variety of simple games older adults love to play (especially good for those with dementia)
Inexpensive Gifts for Nursing Home Residents
Here are some ideas for small inexpensive gifts for nursing home residents.
3Pcs Waterproof Adult Bibs – Reusable Dining Clothing Protectors
I noticed my dad seems to get food all over his shirt lately due to shaky hands. As a younger man, he was extremely neat and careful with his appearance, and understandably seems embarrassed and demoralized when he spills due to the shakiness he can’t control.
These adult bibs look classy and protect clothing while they keep dad clean. Gift the gift of happiness and dignity.
Elmer’s Tunes: Music for Seniors
Live music for seniors – from the comfort of their own homes! At $6.99 per month, your loved one can enjoy an intimate piano bar experience. Dennis Elmer, a talented life-long musician presents themed shows for all to enjoy. Listeners can make special requests, sing or dance along to the music, and connect with memories they associate with the songs. This gift is particularly wonderful for individuals with memory issues. Elmer’s Tunes offers a discount for those who sign up for a year. Read our review.
Fidget Blanket for Adults with Dementia
Comfort Nursing Home Gifts for the Elderly
Comfort nursing home gifts are always appreciated, especially when space is at a premium! See what you think of these ideas, suggested by our readers.
IZOD Men’s Memory Foam Classic Two-Tone Moccasin
These warm winter slippers made from microsuede with a synthetic sole and memory foam are unbelievably comfortable!
The style is classic and casual, perfect to wear all year. What we really like about these slippers is that the indoor and outdoor bottom allows for a visit outside without having to change into shoes! These attractive slippers make great gifts for senior men in nursing homes.
No laces, which means no hassles, make these slippers easy to slip on and off. Comes in seven great color combinations and a gift-ready IZOD box.
Dignity Pajamas
If you haven’t seen these fabulous open-back pajamas for men yet, today is your lucky day! Give your loved ones comfort by dressing them in this easy-on, easy-off adaptive back sleepwear with velcro closures. And caregivers love these night shirts for struggle-free assisted dressing. At the same time, preserve Dad’s dignity at this difficult time in his life. Made in the U.S.A. from the softest cotton from sophisticated prints and fine details for discriminating customers. A variety of designs are available to choose from! These pajamas are among our favorite gifts for senior men in nursing homes!
THE COMFY Original Quarter Zip | Oversized Microfiber & Sherpa Wearable Blanket
Is it a blanket? Or a jacket? This large, oversized, comfortable one-size-fits-all design is perfect for hanging around at home or when out and about.
The quarter zip comes in fun colors, has a reversible high-quality zipper that allows you to wear it the way it feels best, and wide seams for a clean finish to keep the Sherpa lining flawless.
Pull your legs in and use them as a blanket or flip the hood up to feel the toasty warmth of the blanket wherever you go. We especially love the pocket where you can keep whatever you need handy.
Easy to clean in a cold wash and then tumble dry. As seen on Shark Tank. (Great for both men and women!)
100% Cotton Blanket with Herringbone Design and Fringe
Extra blankets are always welcome! Blankets decorate a room, especially one with a classy herringbone design!
At the same time, they help keep your loved one warm and cozy. The older adults in my life are always cold, even if it’s 97 degrees and humid outside.
And men seem to love this classic herringbone design. It’s great to have an extra around that’s lightweight, 100% cotton,n and easy to grab if they want to sit outside.
Items Nursing Home Residents Need
Joybest Bed Wedge Pillow – Memory Foam Wedge Pillow for Sleeping
Great support for your back, head, or legs! This 3 in 1 wedge pillow set is adjustable to 4.5, 7.5 & 12 Inches, and is comprised of one wedge pillow at 7.5” and another wedge pillow at 4.5”, can put them together for a 12-inch pillow.
Particularly helpful for supporting you when reading or sleeping. You can also use it as a Leg Wedge Pillow to elevate your legs and help relieve leg and knee pain.
The ergonomic design helps improve circulation and relieve neck and back pain, acid reflux, snoring, and other breathing issues. Machine washable.
This is one of my favorite gifts to buy both for people who live in communities or at home – and it is great for all ages!
Gripjoy Fuzzy Socks With Grip
Get these fuzzy socks with grips for your favorite Dad! Their feet will love these comfy thick fluffy socks that are both stretchy and breathable. Slipper socks give the traction needed to prevent falls and are a good way to boost confidence for those who avoid walking due to fear they will slip.
The chevron non-skid grippers stay on in the washing machine – unlike other brands where the antiskid dots easily come off. And if that’s not reason enough to love these socks, the founder of Gripjoy donates 10% of profit to fund research for treatment and support to better the lives of those living with Pompe disease.
Non-Skid Cotton Socks in great colors (12 pack)
Want socks with a little more personality? These socks are also soft, and comfortable and prevent slipping – what could be better? The inner thickened terry cotton in these socks keeps your loved one warm and safe. Twelve pairs in a variety of colors come in a pack. These are fabulous for older adults, but good for anyone to prevent sliding on slippery floors!
Sunday Citizen Bamboo Crystal Weighted Blanket
We love weighted blankets for so many reasons! Sleep becomes harder for lots of us as we age, possibly caused by muscle aches or restless legs. Or, sometimes we simply like the comfort, warmth, and weight of extra blankets on the bed.
Weighted blankets put gentle pressure on your body and make you feel safe and relaxed. While weighted blankets typically get their density from glass pearls, the Sunday Citizen Bamboo Crystal Weighted Blanket is filled with thousands of pieces of clear quartz, rose quartz, and amethyst that harness natural healing energy.
Together they press down to provide a calming and soothing effect. They also draw out negativity. The result is the most restorative sleep you will ever have! Comes with a washable cover.
Realistic and Lifelike Interactive Companion Cats
Don’t laugh – this cat provides older adults with hours of companionship and comfort! We have this companion cat on our gift list for older women too! With its cat-like movements & sounds, this revolutionary vibrapurr technology gives the cat an authentic purring sound that even feels just like real purring.
Just as real cats do, this companion pet cat lifts its paw, opens and closes its eyes and mouth, and moves its head and body. The pet cats respond to motion and touch such as petting and hugging due to built-in sensors.
With synthetic, soft, and brushable fur inspired by real felines, they seem very much like real cats! Available in four different colors, you can choose one that looks like a pet dad had in the past. Run and engaging, this gift brings joy, fun, and connection to elderly loved ones and their families.
We have lots of other great gift selections for your 50+ loved ones- Find our carefully curated lists here!
Do you have other ideas for gifts for senior men in nursing homes? Please share in the comment section below!
Blankets and other textile items will not be washed in cold water at a nursing home. They wash in hot water and use high temp dryers. These items will shrink, so keep that in mind when considering size.
Thank you, Jane! That’s a good tip!