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Across the Fence:  Gifts for Someone in Assisted Living?  |
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beekeepersgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1423 Posts
Luanne
Cresco
PA
USA
1423 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 07:16:37 AM
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I have a cousin who was just moved into an assisted living facility in Florida. She has had to sell her home and give away all her posessions. So, she has a birthday coming up in a couple of weeks. Do you have any ideas what I can send her? She has no room for much of anything except her clothes and her small TV. She is only 68 years old, but in very poor health.
Thanks!
Luanne
beekeepersgirl #691
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 07:20:23 AM
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That's so hard--especially with having to give up on your independent lifestyle. Is she able to get out of her room and visit with the other residents? I found, for my grandmother in law, who was pretty "fixy" that Vera Bradley makes these awesome little wristlets that you can hang on a matching laniard that they can wear around their neck. It was small, but big enough to hold an id, a little cash, a lipstick. Something like that. And it could go with them whereever they went without a purse or hanging bag on the back of their mobile chair. The patterns were so pretty, and it really helped her feel a little more in "control" of her stuff.
Does she read? Good books where you can sort of "get out of your head" are wonderful gifts, too! A magazine subcription, perhaps? Something she can look forward to each month?
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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Diane B Carter
True Blue Farmgirl
1270 Posts
Diane
Blasdell
N.Y.
USA
1270 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 07:23:04 AM
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| How about some blank cards a nice pen & stamps already on the envelope. Or a small bottle of vanilla scentd hand cream? 68 is way to young but the assisted living homes are wonderful they keep you busy and usually you make a lot of friends |
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beekeepersgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1423 Posts
Luanne
Cresco
PA
USA
1423 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 07:23:33 AM
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Great ideas - thank you!
Luanne
beekeepersgirl #691
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 09:23:40 AM
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Can she eat candy? Maybe a box of candy for a treat. Books or playing cards. I have worked in an assisted living facility in the past. The ladies still like to look pretty. So lipstick or a nice pin to wear on clothes might be good, too.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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beekeepersgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1423 Posts
Luanne
Cresco
PA
USA
1423 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 09:32:20 AM
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Unfortunately, she is severely diabetic. Does anybody know if that sugar-free candy is any good? I could maybe send her some of that. She's not into lipstick, jewelry, etc. - but the books sound like a good idea. She also used to like to play solitaire on her computer, so maybe the cards would be good too.
Thanks!
Luanne
beekeepersgirl #691
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 09:36:19 AM
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There are a lot of sugar free candies out there that are tasty. Wonder if you have a local candy or ice cream store that makes their own (we have two, here in Northern Kentucky) and I buy for my aunt all the time. She loves their sugar free buckeyes!!!
Playing Cards would be a great idea--also, perhaps something that she can engage another person to join her.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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Beverly Gill
True Blue Farmgirl
1114 Posts
Beverly
Marlborough
USA
1114 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 09:42:53 AM
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If it isn't out of your budget----an i-pod with her favorite music on it.
Beverly Gill
There's no place like home |
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princesspatches
True Blue Farmgirl
431 Posts
arttie
iron mountain
michigan
USA
431 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 11:40:41 AM
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Luann,
There are little handheld electronic solitaire games. I love mine. I take it traveling with me.
I found it at Walmart for like $10. Easy on batteries. and fun to play. They have all sorts of different games. You could get her the game and a pack of batteries.
Arttie
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Tapestry
True Blue Farmgirl
1223 Posts
Cheryl
Wisconsin
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 12:28:58 PM
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Luanne,
One of the things my patients in the nursing home used to love having in their rooms was small bulletin boards you can make. Corkboard,batting, fabric and ribbons crisscrossed over to hold photographs of loved ones. Much cheaper to make than the ones you buy and you can personalize using favorite colors, fun pins to personalize it a bit more. This way they can have more photos and no risk of an heirloom frame being broken.
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles 
http://www.Tapestry2u.Etsy.com
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
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Farmer Judy
True Blue Farmgirl
433 Posts
Judy
North Aurora
IL
USA
433 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 12:52:42 PM
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My MIL is in a nursing home and we bring her little things every visit. Sugar free gum and candy, books from her favorite author, custom bag she can hand from the handle of her wheelchair, sometime a new dress or sweater. Most of all we bring her new photos of the grandkids. Occasionally we will bring her a plate of her favorite food or desert, like around holiday meals so she doesn't miss out on the family favorites. She has also really appreciated scented lotions and chapstick.
Good luck on your shopping.
God bless,
Judy
Born a city girl but a farm girl at heart!
http://farmtimes.blogspot.com/ |
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Acelady02
True Blue Farmgirl
1266 Posts
Penny
Washington
GA
USA
1266 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 2:09:57 PM
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Cheryl, I made one of those bulletin boards for my Momma years ago. I made it out of a thin piece of wood, with batting and cloth over it...I crisscross ribbons like you were talking about. I think that is a wonderful idea. Luanne, my Momma loved hers...she kept it over her sewing machines with pictures and all our measurements on it. I wish you luck and what ever you do I'm sure she will love it.
(((((Hugs All)))))Penny
Farmgirl Sister #3343
God gives Miracles to those who Believe, Courage to those with Faith, Hope to those who Dream, Love to those who Accept, & Forgiveness to those who Ask... |
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Nanniekim
True Blue Farmgirl
206 Posts
Kim
Arizona
206 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 2:31:49 PM
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How about a shawl, lap quilt or afghan? Be careful with sugar-free candy. Diabetics count carbs and we found some of the sugar-free candy had almost as many carbs as regular candy.
Kim |
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gspringman
True Blue Farmgirl
387 Posts
Gail
Bonanza
Oregon
USA
387 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 2:56:51 PM
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I have given toiletries, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. These are things most residents are not able to afford and are not supplied to them in many assisted living homes.
Gail
Farmgirl #486
http://grammasladybug.blogspot.com/ |
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treelady
True Blue Farmgirl
2319 Posts
Julie
Medina
ND
USA
2319 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 4:11:14 PM
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We try to visit the nursing home as often as possible, and some of the things I have found that are really appreciated are toiletries, bags that hook onto walkers and wheelchairs (so easy to make), pillowcases that are pretty or masculine which ever the case maybe, but they do add a little color to a very tiny room, new socks,underwear and PJ's, new magazines, stamps and an assortment of blank greeting cards, an updated address book with all thier loved ones phone numbers and address', pretty notepads and pens to write reminders to keep by thier beds. Closer to Christmas I always take blank Christmas Cards I have bought on clearance from the year before, so they can either send some to old friends and family or distribute among the home.So many of the residents are on assistance and have very little money or have very little family to visit, sometimes just a hug and smile are enough.
Julie
A little rain can straighten a flower stem. A little love can change a life.
Max Lucado |
Edited by - treelady on Sep 09 2011 4:17:00 PM |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 8:07:37 PM
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My step great grandma still liked to crochet so we always got her plenty of supplies for that.
A pretty night gown was always good too. As she felt more comfy when the aids came in that way.
Also does she have her own sheets and bedding, that can also make it more homey then the ones they provide.
I would also think maybe a nice big collage style picture frame (big lots, and hobby lobby have some really nice ones!) and put all kinds of family photos in it.
I'm thinking of all the things that would make her room "homey" and wouldn't take up space, but also things she needs.
If she likes hot tea or coffee, maybe one of those small dorm ones for her room. And a nice array of either to choose from to make her own.
Also instead of candy since it can be very personal (what people like and don't like) and really the sugar free also has a lot of carbs and some people don't realize that and think cause it's sugar free they can eat a whole bunch but really it needs to be in moderation as well. You may want to send some REALLY NICE fruit like from Harry and David, my whole family loooooves their pears. My step mom is a dr, and she always tells all her diabetic patients to ask their family to buy them really nice fruit from Harry and David for gifts, instead of a bunch of candy and such. However, I will say I do like the sugar free chocolates, especially home made ones, an ones from Russel Stovers, but I also loooove Harry and David fruit and it's more expensive and harder to splurge on myself for, so I love when people give it to me as a gift.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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vmfein
True Blue Farmgirl
247 Posts
Valerie
Dale City
VA
USA
247 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 9:29:39 PM
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Assuming she has her own room what about an item she can personalize her door? My grandmother used to manage a small assisted living center and each resident loved to decorate the door to their room with their own personalized touch. I am unsure of how strict the place is where your relative resides. Where my grandmother worked the residents could decorate their room however they wanted (as long as the paint of the room wasn't changed). Many residents put their own curtains on their windows and covered the walls with family photos or paintings. What about the little electronic photo frames that can hold like 50 or 100 photos and every couple of seconds it changes to a new one?
Farmgirl Sister #2619
http://www.etsy.com/shop/vmfein |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2011 : 9:43:38 PM
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If she enjoys watching movies, how about a netflix account/subscription?
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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Tea Lady
True Blue Farmgirl
645 Posts
Lorraine
Morris
IL
USA
645 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2011 : 5:07:13 PM
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Consumables are always good - especially if they do not have a lot of room. Tea, instant coffee (Starbucks has instant coffee and my DH likes to keep it at work), nice soap and/or lotion, snacks, etc. Also, someone mentioned seasonal decorations - at the assisted-living facility nearby - they all hang stuff on their doors. Although, they need one of those under the bed storage totes for all the wreaths, etc.
Lorraine
(aka Tea Lady)
Farmgirl #1819
www.birdsandteas.com |
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paradiseplantation
True Blue Farmgirl
1277 Posts
julie
social springs community
Louisiana
USA
1277 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2011 : 09:44:48 AM
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If they have a beauty salon in the facility, 'gift certificates' to get her hair and nails done are loved by those in assisted living and nursing home facilities. Also, a box of assorted greeting cards and stamps are enjoyed, as they can still send mail to their friends and loved ones.
from the hearts of paradise...
1Thess. 4:11 |
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Across the Fence: Gifts for Someone in Assisted Living? |
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Gifts for Someone in Assisted Living?
