Wanting to show some love to a senior citizen in your life? This post is to give you all kinds of thoughtful care package ideas for the elderly.
Do you have an elderly parent, friend, or family member?
If so, I bet you know the value of putting a smile on their face, and it isn’t hard to do. Just show you care!
To help make it easy, I’ve gathered some great gift ideas for the elderly so you can make the perfect care package for them.
How to Build a Care Package for Your Elderly Parents or Loved Ones
When you’re building a care package for an older person, you want to provide them with items they can actually use.
In this case especially, that means thinking about where they’re living and what kind of condition they’re in beforehand.
Let’s look at a few common scenarios and how they impact the supplies you’ll need to build your care package.
Ideas for Elderly in a Nursing Home
If you have an elderly mom or dad living in an assisted care facility, think about the items they use on a daily basis.
For example, they may not be able to bathe on their own. I imagine that must be frustrating, but they may find comfort in a favorite scented bath wash they’ve used for years.
They may also struggle to dress themselves, so something easy to put on and take off like a cozy bathrobe and slippers would be great.
Also, think about their room situation. Many nursing homes don’t have private rooms. If they’re sharing a room with someone else, it might be nice to focus on personalized items and photos to make their space feel more like home.
Ideas for Elderly in Quarantine for Covid
Because of Covid, it’s common for the elderly to be quarantined for their safety.
It’s a difficult situation for everyone involved, but a care package from you can make all the difference.
Gifts for isolated seniors should consist of comfort items and things to keep them occupied, including crossword puzzles and movies to watch on a DVD player.
Dealing with Covid is difficult enough, but it’s even harder when you can’t see your loved ones because of it.
A Covid care package shows you care even if you can’t be there, and that alone can work wonders in lifting their spirits.
Ideas for Your Elderly at Home
If your elderly loved one lives at home (whether with you or by themselves), it’s likely they’re more independent and don’t need as much help as someone who lives in a nursing home.
You’ll want to plan your package accordingly. For instance, if they’re in the kitchen a lot, you might want to get one of those padded mats to stand on as they do their dishes.
If they like to read or watch TV, you could pick up some new books or DVDs they haven’t read or viewed yet.
If they like coloring books, try picking one out for them. If they enjoy puzzles, grab a pack of Sudoku puzzles or Word Searches next time you’re at the store.
The key is to think about their interests when building their senior home care package.
Ideas for Sick Elderly in the Hospital
When your elderly loved one is sick in the hospital, you may not be able to visit much, but you can still let them know you are thinking about them.
A great hospital care package consists of different snacks, including chocolate-covered pretzels, trail mix, protein bars, and anything else you know they like to eat.
Along with snacks, you also want to include items that will make them feel like they’re at home, even though they’re stuck in the hospital. Maybe instead of new items, you fill a box with a few of their favorite things from home.
Think about those daily used items they’ll miss the most like their own pillow, their favorite blanket, their robe, that sort of thing.
35 Creative Care Package Ideas for Your Senior Care Box
If you want to create the perfect elderly goodie bag, but you’re not sure what to include, I’ve gathered a few suggestions to get you started.
These senior citizen care package ideas are suitable for seniors of all ages, whether they live at home, in a nursing home, or even in an assisted living facility.
Self Care
Consider including a few self-care items. They’re simple, easy to find, and affordable, yet they’re a great way for seniors to feel pampered, which they so deserve!
- Body Lotion
- Foot Scrub
- Mini Handheld Back Massager
- Foot Mask
- Hand Mask
- Face Mask
- Foot Bath
Food and Snacks
You can’t go wrong with snacks as long as you know what your loved one likes. So first, make a list of the snacks you’ve seen them eating in the past. Then, if you’re not sure, you can add some of the following popular options-
8. Applesauce
9. Pudding
10. Gelatin Cups
11. Licorice
12. Peppermints
13. Gummy Orange Slices
14. Canned/Packages of Soup
15. Fresh Baked Cookies
(You can find gluten-free care package options here)
Photo and Memory Gifts
These types of gifts will add a personal touch to your care packages and put them over the top. Why? Because they’re not cookie-cutter.
It’s an inevitable part of life, but most senior citizens have lost loved ones. Photos and other memorial keepsakes remind them of happy memories and celebrate loved ones that have passed away.
If they’ve lost someone recently, consider a sympathy care package like these.
16. Photo Blanket
17. Digital Photo Frame
18. Digital Photo Keychain
19. Framed Photo
20. Photo Pillow
21. Memorial Engraved Candle
Clothing and Blankets
Clothes and blankets are the perfect comfort items to include in a care package. If you’re sending clothing, make sure what you send has already been washed, so they don’t have to worry about doing that.
Also keep in mind how and where they sleep at night and what would be most useful.
22. Hooded Blanket Sweatshirt
23. Insulated Socks with Grips
24. Cozy Sherpa Blanket
(For displaced seniors, these care package ideas for homeless people are better).
Sentimental Items
Sentimental items can turn a bad day into a good one.
If your loved one is particularly nostalgic, consider writing them Open When Letters or including some of the following items.
25. Custom Photo Moon Lamp
26. Custom Star Map
28. Homemade Painting
Personalized Gifts
Don’t forget to make your care package unique. Including a personalized item just for them is an easy way to do that. Some ideas are-
29. Engraved Bracelet
30. Personalized Coffee Mug
31. Engraved Necklace
Activities
For many elderly family members, mobility is an issue. They just can’t get around like they used to, so boredom is a common emotion. Include some things they can use to keep themselves occupied and entertained.
32. Crossword Puzzles
33. Adult Coloring Books
34. Tablet with Games Downloaded
35. Paint by Number Sets
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If you know an elderly friend in need of some cheering up, try a DIY care package or even a sunshine box. They’re surprisingly easy to make and completely customizable.
While they only take a few minutes of your time to assemble, the thoughtfulness they convey can impact your beloved seniors for years to come.
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