Ladies: Help with Mother's Christmas Gift

This is on topic because my wife has threated to asphyxiate me in my sleep if I don't get something besides another brooch or box of candy.

What's a surefire gift for my mother who is 86, has moderate dementia and is in assisted living. She is ambulatory. At this point her only two interests are meals and sitting around talking.

My mom doesn't care about a gift but I need something that my wife will be proud of.

Just seven days left!

Thanks.

Hi---how about a jig saw puzzle so she can have something to do all day? Crossword puzzle books, a portable DVD player so she may watch a movie in bed perhaps. How about a cool fluffy down filled pillow with a pretty purple or pink pillow case on it so she has something comfortable to lay on at night? Hire a manacurist to come in a give her a manicure and a pedicure!! Women LOVE pedicures!!!! There--If you need more ideas --let us know,

Carrie

Well... ... how about a nice shawl to keep her warm ( people her age often feel chilly when you don't move much)...and you could see it as having your arms around her when you're not there!!!
Dolores

How about a jig saw so she can make her own puzzles .... I guess that is why you asked for suggestions from the forum ladies huh?

Uhummm ....

Babette wrote:I love the manicure/pedicure idea!!!

A warm shawl, or a "bed jacket" sort of sweater that she can slip in and out of. I'm very fond of my "minky" fleece zip front jacket. It works perfect for sitting in bed and reading. Very cozy!

Or one of those new "snuggle blankets" with the arms.

She could make or do all that stuff with a jig saw ...

I love the manicure/pedicure idea!!!

A warm shawl, or a "bed jacket" sort of sweater that she can slip in and out of. I'm very fond of my "minky" fleece zip front jacket. It works perfect for sitting in bed and reading. Very cozy!

Or one of those new "snuggle blankets" with the arms.

Ask the facility if they have noticed her mentioning anything from her childhood, like a doll, a truck, a train, anything that triggers a smile. If they say no, well, ignore this. But they might mention something, and you could get her that. I have heard that Alzhiemer's patients often respond to things that they remember. A local group brings their classic cars around to the different care homes and let's the residents sit in the cars and pretend to drive. They appear to really enjoy it! I was thinking maybe a doll or teddy bear might have the same effect on her, if it was a special memory.

Best of luck!!!!!
B.

Snuggie on TV:
https://www.freesnuggie.com/Default.aspx?MID=523323

Cheers,
B.

How about a digital photo frame...loaded with tons of family pictures!

A nice robe...with matching slippers.

A gift certificate for Friendlys (or the ice cream place of your/her choosing)...with a promise to take her there.

Home made gift certificates...for food items, visits, or outings.

Brenda

Take notes, Rooster!!

You have plenty of ideas here for many Christmases and Birthdays to come!!!

Okay -- here is my two cents.

I think a photo album with pictures of family members -- ask them what they would like to say to her and have them write a little something they remember about a time that they did something together. Photos of vacations she took, places where she lived, places she visited locally, etc. Write down under the photos the reasons why you chose that particular photo for its memories. Include old friends, co-workers, interesting people she had an interest in at one time (a favorite movie star, celebrity, politician, etc.).

This should be pleasant memories for her and probably priceless!!

I bet she would like recordings of messages and songs from family members put on CD and a simple to use CD player so she could hear the voices of the people she loves. Combine that with pictures put in a notebook in clear sleeves so she can turn the pages yet keep them all together. Put the names on the pictures in a big font so she can see them easily.

My mom couldn't keep up with radio or TV but she could sing along with hymns she knew on the CD. Kept her happy and out of trouble. I had a friend who has a beautiful voice record some for her, and I transferred it to CD. There were only about 8 of them, but I filled a CD by repeating the same ones several times. She loved it. The people in the nursing home would start it for her, and off she would go. Often she fell asleep before it was finished.

She also liked her baby dolls. She thought they were real. She took good care of them. It gave her something to do and "company" as well.

CN - what excellent ideas! Thank you for sharing them!!!!!

Hugs,
B.

Hey another thought -- one I am sure will please your mother.

Go out among the world -- find a cute young poolboy. One that is all tan and buff!!

Must have a pleasing personality, knowledgeable, charming, handsome, witty, handsome, did I say tan and buff?, gorgeous looking, interested in people, cute, did I say tan and buff?, smart, intelligent, beautiful, did I say tan and buff?, and gentle.

Make sure he gives good massages -- let your wife try him out first (the massage you dirty old people ).

Make your mom a massage date with Romeo (did I say tan and buff?). Tell your mother you do NOT want to hear the sordid details .

A Christmas present she will remember.

Oh Rooster, please send a video link of your wife's face when she reads Carol's suggestion!!!!

Good one, Carol!
B.

Awww shucks Babs -- I try!!

When our last superintendent retired last year she kept saying that we could all chip in and hire her a poolboy to be at her beck and call.

sleepycarol wrote:Hey another thought -- one I am sure will please your mother.

Go out among the world -- find a cute young poolboy. One that is all tan and buff!!

Must have a pleasing personality, knowledgeable, charming, handsome, witty, handsome, did I say tan and buff?, gorgeous looking, interested in people, cute, did I say tan and buff?, smart, intelligent, beautiful, did I say tan and buff?, and gentle.

Make sure he gives good massages -- let your wife try him out first (the massage you dirty old people ).

Make your mom a massage date with Romeo (did I say tan and buff?). Tell your mother you do NOT want to hear the sordid details .

A Christmas present she will remember.

Sleepycarol, My goodness! That is out of character for you. What kind of day are you having?

But now I can tell you a true story.

To protect the guilty let's call her Loretta. Loretta was our Sales Manager and had worked for me for years. Recently her mother, who was in her late eighties, had developed dementia and Loretta's family went through the difficult process of moving her into a nursing facility.

One morning I dropped into Loretta's office as she was hanging up from a phone call and I could immediately see that something was wrong.

Rooster: "What's wrong?"

Loretta: "The nursing home just called. They found mom and a male companion in her bed nude this morning. It is against the rules for patients to have sex. They had to break it up and report it."

Rooster: "Loretta, why does that upset you? I think it is wonderful that these two people found each other. Also, it is very encouraging for my outlook to old age. I think your mother and her friend should be sneaky and get together every chance they have. That is just beautiful. Why does it disturb you so?"

Loretta: "My mother is in such bad mental shape she has to wear adult diapers."

Rooster: "Oh. I am late for a meeting."