Buying present for 102 yr old!?

emylou

I live in falts & one of my neighbours is a 102 yr old woman, she has no family (I think a niece/great-neice who lives in Scotland tho) so she only has visitors from carers throughout the day. I only really come into contact with her when she's gone wandering e.g. 2.45am this morning, when I heard her calling for help from outside!!

I'd like to buy her a gift for Christmas seeing as she has no family, was thinking maybe a soft dressing gown or new slippers, not sure what chocolates/biscuits she likes. She does ask for whisky but not sure I'd feel comfortable buying her some!?

Any ideas? And do you think it's weird (others will think it's weird) if I buy her a present? I have lived here 4 years so been called into her flat a number of times and also by her carers sometimes for information, etc.
Thanks

iceicebaby

How about a slanket? (Blanket with sleeves) for the cold weather?

But then depending on her mobilty she may have trouble manouvering it off and on.

halight

I think its a great idea. But sorry i can not say what to buy her. What do you buy a 102 year old women lol

Silaqui

I don't think it's wierd, I think it's lovely!

If you don't feel comfortable buying alcohol, why not get a dressing gown or something with a little mini gift set (something like these http://www.bhs.co.uk/mall/departmentpage.cfm/bhsstore/237804/1/1) as a gesture?

xx

tanith

Oh my thats awful poor woman she could of frozen to death out there... how nice that you want to buy her something , a warm dressing gown sounds great. Please make sure her carers know she wanders in the night because once that starts to happen she really needs 24hr care before she's found out in the ice and snow the worse for wear IFYKWIM!!!

blabberwort

I think it's a lovely idea to buy your neighbour something if your able. Without knowing the lady in question it's difficult to suggest something as obviously we dont know her personal circumstances. Assuming she isnt some rich old lady who has everything already then a dressing gown sounds a great idea. Nice and comfy and practical and will keep her warm.

Slippers I would avoid as many elderly people especially of her age have problems walking as easily. Unless you get very good quality and fairly rigid slippers it's always a possibility she could slip out of them and fall.

If she has everything already then stuff it and actually get her what she wants, whisky (unless of course she's an alcoholic. If however shes just someone who likes the odd tiple then a nightcap wont hurt her.

Reading back I dont think i've helped much lol. Always difficult suggesting ideas unless you know someone personally so sorry for my waffling lol.

Apricot

I think a nice soft dressing gown would be a lovely gift to be honest, I think most people would appreciate that especially in this weather!

Tiddlywinks

I think it's a lovely gesture.....

How about hand cream in lavender or rose or something with quite a strong smell (senses can be less receptive as we age).

A dressing gown would also be lovely but watch the length as it could be a trip hazard.

I'd avoid food or drink as she may have special dietary needs.

Merry christmas.

Tropez

Assuming she knows her own limits and everything, whisky isn't too bad as a single whisky thins the blood stream and protects against heart attacks and strokes, but I can understand why you might not want to buy her some.

I was thinking about getting one of those JML "Snuggie" things for an elderly relative... the sleeveless blanket type thing. Might be okay to keep her warm, but obviously you would know about how easy it would be for her to use one.

Unless it is far too short notice, if you have any sort of contact with her carers, perhaps you could ask them if they could think of anything suitable? As they know the lady very well, they might be able to inform you of something she could really do with that is absent from her home.

got-it-spend-it

I think it is lovely that you want to buy her something- you are obviously a very good neighbour.

Tropez wrote: »

Assuming she knows her own limits and everything, whisky isn't too bad as a single whisky thins the blood stream and protects against heart attacks and strokes, but I can understand why you might not want to buy her some.

I was thinking about getting one of those JML "Snuggie" things for an elderly relative... the sleeveless blanket type thing. Might be okay to keep her warm, but obviously you would know about how easy it would be for her to use one.

Unless it is far too short notice, if you have any sort of contact with her carers, perhaps you could ask them if they could think of anything suitable? As they know the lady very well, they might be able to inform you of something she could really do with that is absent from her home.

I would worry that a snuggle type blanket might be a trip hazard for someone very elderly, so I personally think that a nice soft dressing gown would be a better option. Tesco have some lovely ones at the moment for around £12.

I also think home baked things make a lovely gift, if you are that way inclined. I plan to make some yummy things to go in with my grandparents presents this year (my Granny is 98 so not far off).

elsien

How about the compromise of whisky liquer chocolates?
My 94 year old grandmother was talking to me the other day about her diet and did I think it was healthy? I have to be honest my response was, at her age does it matter? It came out all wrong, but she took it ok and we had a chuckle about my complete lack of tact.