Dementia, a condition that affects memory, personality and behavior, is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. It’s also becoming increasingly prevalent: According to the Alzheimer’s Association, by 2050 there will be more than 15 million Americans with dementia—a number that could rise as high as 16 million if certain trends continue. While there are many ways to help someone with dementia in your life (such as by donating your time or money), a thoughtful gift can also provide comfort and ease anxiety on both sides of the relationship. In this article we’ll dive into some thoughtful ideas of gifts for people with dementia and explain why each one is great for gifting.
Dementia
Dementia is a general term used to describe a set of symptoms that affect a person’s ability to think and remember. It’s not just one disease, but rather a collection of problems that cause the same types of symptoms. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for 50% or more of all cases.
It can be hard to understand someone with dementia, especially if you have never encountered it before. It’s important not to make assumptions about what they’re thinking or feeling because they may not be able to express themselves in ways we expect due to their limited abilities.
Also Read: – What are the symptoms of Dementia?
Dementia patient gift ideas
Dementia is a disease that affects the brain, causing memory loss, confusion and sometimes the inability to communicate. Dementia patients have difficulty with daily tasks and activities, including communication and understanding what is going on around them.
Dementia patient gift ideas are things that can help a person with dementia live with their disease more easily. There are many options available for those suffering from this condition, but here we will focus on gifts that encourage communication or provide comfort for patients who suffer from this disease.
Alzheimer’s Brain Box
For those who enjoy spending time with their loved ones, the Alzheimer’s Brain Box is a fun way to engage them. This game can be played by up to four players at once, and it’s easy enough for all ages. The object of the game is to guess which cards are hidden under each box lid. You can use this game as a way of getting your loved one out of the house or into social situations with other people if they have difficulty making new friends. You can fine the game at any Alzheimer’s gift shop.
Photo memory game
This game is great both for those who are looking to play with someone and for those who want to play alone. It can be a best gift for the people with dementia, as well as people without any memory loss, or even people who just want a fun way to pass the time. The game works on different levels of memory loss, so it’s good for anyone who wants to start playing immediately or take their time and think about each move. Also, because there are no pieces that need picking up after (except your winning piece), this game is great if you have limited mobility.
PICLINK
PICLINK is a great gift for people with dementia. It’s a great way to keep them active, help them remember and stay connected.
This innovative device connects through WiFi and allows patients to take photos, save them in the cloud and share them with family members on social media or by email. PICLINK also lets you set up reminders for taking pictures every day at certain times (you can use this feature if you want an automatic reminder of when your loved one needs their medicine). The app also has a GPS function so family members can see exactly where their loved ones are located at any time. This product would be beneficial because it allows families to keep tabs on their loved ones while they’re out in public places or have gone missing from home due to wandering tendencies that often come along with having Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
Dementia puzzles
Puzzles are an excellent way to keep the mind active, not just for people with dementia but also for those who do not have it. They can be used to help with memory (especially if you’re doing crossword puzzles) and vocabulary as well. By doing them together as a family or with friends, you’ll find that you’re having fun together—and getting smarter at the same time.
Sleep n’ Slumber Oil Diffuser
An aromatherapy diffuser is also one of the best gifts for people with dementia. The use of essential oils has been found to be beneficial for treating symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and they are considered safe to use on people with memory disorders. Diffusing oils can help those suffering from sleep disturbances, anxiety, and other issues associated with dementia fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Essential oils have many properties that may be beneficial to those who have been diagnosed with a form of dementia:
- They reduce anxiety by increasing serotonin levels in the brain
- They promote relaxation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system (which is responsible for calming us down)
- They increase focus through an effect called “synaptic plasticity”.
Chunky knit blanket
Knits are the perfect gift for someone with dementia. They’re warm and cozy, easy to wash and care for, easy to find and buy, easy to wrap and present, and they come in a wide range of colors and styles.
Knits have been a favorite among seniors for decades—and with good reason! Not only do they provide a sense of comfort that goes beyond their temperature-regulating properties (which are real), but they can also be machine washed at any point without fear of shrinking or losing their shape.
Dementia busy boards
Busy boards are a great way to keep the mind active, and they are useful for helping with memory and concentration, social interaction and communication, dexterity and fine motor skills. They can also be used as an aid for relaxation or stress reduction.
There are many different types of busy boards available on the market today (you can find them on Amazon), but you may want to consider making your own as well! If so, here’s what you’ll need:
- A large piece of cardboard or wood that measures approximately 3′ x 2′
- Popsicle sticks (enough to cover the area)
- Paintbrushes/hands
Fidget blankets – unforgettable dementia gifts
Fidget blankets are a great gift for people with dementia. They are a great way to help people with dementia relax and focus. They are also great for people with anxiety and ADHD.
A fidget blanket has multiple pockets and zippers, which allow you to store things in the pocket or zipper. You can also use the pocket or zipper as a platform for your phone, tablet or other electronic device. A fidget blanket will give you something to do while watching TV, playing games or reading books.
Dementia pillows
Pillows are a great gift for people with memory loss, especially if they have Alzheimer’s or dementia. Pillow cases help to keep the pillows clean and make them look more appealing. In addition, the pillowcase can be changed regularly to match the person’s clothing. This makes it easier for family members and friends to recognize their loved one in case they lose their way or get confused about who they are. It also makes it less likely that someone will accidentally give away their loved one’s possessions because there is no confusion about which item belongs to whom.
Buddha Board
If you’re shopping for someone with dementia, the Buddha Board is a great gift. It’s a hand-held, electronic device that helps you with mindfulness and relaxation. The board vibrates when you touch it, which guides your movements on the screen as you draw or paint images. You can also choose different backgrounds to draw on, like clouds or ocean waves. You even get to use stamps! The Buddha Board is available at most stores that carry tech gadgets—or on Amazon!
There are many other gift ideas out there if you know what kind of hobbies or interests your loved one has had in their life before they were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This will help narrow down the options so that when it comes time to shop for gifts during Christmas season next year (or any season), you’ll be prepared and ready to bring some joy into their lives once again through meaningful gifts that show how much love really does mean everything.
Simple Music Player
You may not think about music as an option for a loved one with dementia, but it’s an excellent one. There are several benefits to listening to music. For one thing, it can stimulate memory and provide an escape from the reality of dementia. Music also has positive effects on mood and emotion—music can help people relax and feel happier overall, which is important when you’re caring for someone with dementia who might be experiencing anxiety or depression. Finally, music is an effective way to connect with your loved one on a deeper level; since they may have trouble remembering how much time has passed since their last visit home or where they are in their lives right now (a common symptom of Alzheimer’s), playing familiar songs will help them feel more at ease and find some comfort during this difficult time in their life.
Therapy Dough
For dementia patients, many activities can help them to keep their minds sharp. One activity that’s particularly useful is therapy dough, which is also a great gift for dementia patients.
Therapy dough is easy to make and a great distraction for dementia patients. It’s perfect for people who are isolated at home or in the hospital, as it provides an opportunity to keep their hands busy while they’re feeling lonely or bored.
If you have someone in your life with dementia, consider picking up some therapy dough so they can keep themselves occupied while they’re alone.
Digital memory loss calendar day clock
A digital calendar day clock is a great gift for a person with memory loss. This clock will not only keep your loved one up-to-date on the date and time but it can also be used as a reminder of what day it is and what they are doing.
If you want to get even more creative with your gift giving, consider buying this same product but adding an alarm that sounds every two hours so that your loved one doesn’t forget to take their medicine. If you want to go all out on luxury items, look for “thermometer” models which include an indoor temperature gauge in addition to all of the above features.
Memory picture phone – a meaningful gift for dementia patients
This phone is designed to help people with dementia remember people and places. The front camera takes photos of the person using it, and the back camera can take photos of what’s around them.
There are a few other features that help enhance this experience: voice recorder, calendar and photo gallery. In addition to all this, there are a variety of songs you can play through its music player.
Hydro Flask
If you’re shopping for a loved one with dementia, it can be hard to find gifts that are both useful and appropriate. A Hydro Flask is the perfect solution to this problem, as it makes carrying hot or cold drinks easy and effortless.
The bottle is made of high-quality stainless steel, which means that it doesn’t break easily like plastic bottles often do. It also has a wide mouth opening so your loved one will be able to add ice cubes easily and mix their drink as they wish. The lid screws on tightly so there will be no spills when they’re drinking from their Hydro Flask!
It’s important that any item you choose for someone with dementia is easy to use and clean—and the Hydro Flask fits this criteria perfectly. All parts are dishwasher safe (except stickers) so cleaning up after using it won’t take more than a few minutes of your time each day.
Conclusion
Dementia is a frightening disease. It robs people of their memories, leaving them with no recollection of who they are or where they came from. You can’t help but feel helpless when faced with this heartbreaking condition—but there are ways you can still support dementia patients without being overwhelmed by grief yourself.
Take care of yourself and make sure that your loved one knows how much they’re appreciated. It’s important for caregivers to remember that it isn’t just about keeping the person safe; it’s about caring for themselves as well (and making sure others know how much they love them!). You can also order personalized gifts for dementia patients from any Alzheimer’s gift shop. It’s also worth remembering that although you might feel sad at times, there will always be good moments in any relationship—and those moments should be treasured no matter what challenges come your way.
