Need ideas for nursing home residents

Squoozy

My mother has Alzheimer's and lives in a nursing home and at Christmas I buy each of the residents a small present. I put them in a big sack and the staff give them out on Christmas Day. Ideas from the past include smellies (three for two gifts in Boots are a big help) or chocolates or brooches for the ladies, shower gels for the men, nice big diaries for those who are a bit more with it, and a couple of dvds for the lounge. I really would love some new ideas. Has anyone got an idea that would help? I usually spend about £4-£5 per person (26 residents, 15 women, 9 men). I avoid hankies because I think they would all get lost in the wash, and hats, scalfs, gloves etc because they don't really go out.

Tiglath

Bless you, that's such a sweet thing to do. I can't think of much to add except perhaps practical things like socks, or snuggly blankets for the knees/shoulders? Howabout some CDs of older music, like a Fifties/Sixties compilation? A big tin of biscuits for the staff?

xcarlyx

Dedorant sets? Wool?

[Deleted User]

If any of the residents are from the local area where the home is, perhaps a picture book or historical picture book - Bargain books etc, might have these for V cheap

emg

What about (large print?) puzzle books or some of those adult colouring books (not that kind of 'adult' they are more like for reminiscence, old adverts and things!).

Jigsaw puzzles can also be popular in this age group.

Also, you mentioned diaries, but don't forget birthday books. Generally lots of relatives to remember by the time you are that age!

warwicktiger

Packs of large print playing cards?

Squoozy

Thank you for all the ideas. My sister buys the staff pressies - they get a little bottle of wine and choccies each. The picture book idea is brilliant, socks is something else I bought last year but now you've reminded me I might get some more this year. I also will look for shawls. I've bought jigsaw puzzles before (I absolutely love jigsaws myself) but I'm not sure they get used, I've never seen them out. They have playing cards, and we sometimes go in to play cards with them, and they have scrabble as well. I'll look for some large print playing cards and birthday books.

Mint1955

Audio books cheap from The Works. Lap trays, local history books.
For the crafty ones how about the dolly bobbin with 4 pins that you do long wool threads which can then be used for craft projects - easy on older hands than knitting or crochet etc. large needles and wool again for older hands with a pattern for a scarves or squares for making into a blanket?

Men maybe DVDs from their youth cowboy style etc or things of interest like trains history etc. Do the men still wear ties as a new one will always be welcome at that age. Or a cravat?

Paint by numbers but for younger ages as the spaces are bigger. If you are arty just buy the blank blocks and hand draw something for them to fill in it doesn't have to be difficult then a small palette of appropriate paint.

Children's embroidery kits or just by large hole binka and coloured wools along with a large eye plastic needle and either draw a pattern on or let the ladies do their own thing filling in the shapes.

For the more health aware maybe very lightweight hand dumbells they can use for chair exercises. Bean bags (very small) for team games throwing into targets or nearest the target.

If allowed a minature whiskey or Baileys its fun to have a treat of your own ;-)

Notecards with stamps.

lika_86

For £4-5 a person for 26 people, why not buy them a communal Wii?

Thriftygifty

I always get my nan an Amarlis plant set she loves to watch it grow are you allowed plants in nursing home rooms?

I also get her some old type sweets like mints for her to suck, in a nice jar but these I guess wouldnt be ok for some people.

Cazmania.

Slippers! Or slipper socks, always useful so they don't slip and fall over!