The holiday season is quickly approaching. For those with loved ones in a skilled nursing facility, the best gift you can give someone is the gift of your time. However, if you cannot visit during the holidays, then taking a few minutes to call or to send a card to your friend or loved one can make their day.
Whether or not your are able to deliver a gift in person or need to send it in the mail, below is a list of other gift ideas for your loved one:
- Board games or large piece jigsaw puzzles
- Deck of cards
- Large print books
- Audio books
- Photo album with family/friend pictures or digital photo frame with family and friend pictures
- MP3 Player/iPod with headphones or earplugs, with your loved one’s favorite music, audio books, and/or podcasts already loaded on it
- CD Player with CDs of your loved one’s favorite music or audio books
- DVD player with a DVD of their favorite movie
- A homemade video of loved ones who are unable to visit for the holidays. A few ideas for what to record include people sending their love and best wishes, a grandchild reading a short book, poem, or something they wrote, the family singing a favorite holiday song, or sharing the recollection of a story about a favorite holiday or other memory that was shared with the nursing home resident.
- Magazine subscription, or a subscription to their favorite newspaper
- Fragrance sticks, sachet, or potpourri of their favorite scent or a holiday scent for their room (consider allergies as some people are allergic to flowers or perfumes)
- Your loved ones favorite lotion, powder, soap or shampoo
- Gift Certificate for a hair salon or barber
- Stationary, thank you cards, or holiday cards with stamps. If your loved one does not have an up to date address book, consider creating one for them and offer to help them address the envelopes.
- Gift basket, including fresh fruit, homemade holiday treats, or their favorite food. Don’t forget to check with the facility staff if you’re not sure if your loved one has any special dietary restrictions.
- Quilt, lap blanket, or Afghan
- Clothing – consider items that are easy for your loved one to put on and take off. Some suggestions include cardigan sweaters, socks or skid-resistant slippers, nightgowns, pajamas, sweatpants or a robe.
Don’t forget that the staff at the skilled nursing facility can also be a great resource of ideas for gifts for your loved one.
Litherland, Kennedy & Associates have been providing quality estate planning services in the Greater Bay Area since 1975. They are committed to helping those concerned with protecting their families from the devastating legal effects of disability and death. With the aid of public seminars, educational presentations, articles, and radio/television interviews, the law office has championed the use of revocable living trusts as a proven way to protect families from probate, to minimize or eliminate federal estate taxes, and to prevent the Medi-Cal Recovery lien. Attorneys Justin M. Kennedy and Maggie A. LaBranch-Gonzales are certified as Legal Specialists in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. Litherland, Kennedy & Associates are members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys and National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
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