Seniors in assisted living, retirement homes, or home care settings may feel lonely or miss spending time with family and friends. So why not share the love this Valentine’s day and express your care for a senior loved one with a thoughtful gift.
Here are some practical gift ideas to make Valentine’s Day special for seniors:
Give the gift of easier dressing
Standard clothing may not be the best option for seniors since they’re designed with buckles, buttons and awkward adjustments which makes dressing/undressing a difficult and time-consuming task for our loved ones who struggle with the ability to manipulate closures, such as buttons and zippers, or a lack of a full range of motion required for self-dressing.
Adaptive clothing assists with life and makes dressing easier regardless of age, ability or lifestyle. They are specifically designed to appear as stylish standard clothing with an emphasis on lasting quality, simplicity and functionality - making the dressing process easier for both the individual or carer. Special features include:
- Wide neck openings
- Open back (overlapping layers of fabric)
- Side opening trousers
- All-in-one dignity suits and onesies
- VELCRO® and clips replacing buttons and zips.
Caring Clothing provides a wide range of adaptive clothing for both men and women in a variety of sizes that you can find something as a gift for your loved one. These include adaptive nightwear, dignity suits for dementia patients (also known as all-in-one outfits), adaptive trousers, continence aids (reusable underwear for incontinence), tops, cardigans, dresses & polo shirts.
The gift of comfort
Individuals who struggle with Alzheimer’s, dementia or are on the autism spectrum may develop tendencies to fidget such as pulling or rubbing at clothes, rubbing hands together or twisting their fingers. For those with these conditions, it can be a sign of distress, agitation and anxiety.
Mini & Wish Fidget Blanket is a 38cm x 60cm lap-size fidget activity blanket that provides sensory stimulation for restless hands. Can be used as a blanket, or it’s pillow slip design allows you to insert a weighted pad or heat pack for additional comfort.
Key Features:
- NDIS Funded
- 6 diverse activities designed to engage fidgeting behaviours in a safe and calming way
- Zip open/close
- Crinkle lift flap with button-loop closure
- Lace Up
- Ribbon loops
- Ribbon strips
- Rings
- Durable stitching for a lasting product
- Foldable and easy to store when not in use
- Suitable for those who use wheelchairs or who may be confined to one position
Products such as ‘mattress protectors’ or ‘bedding pads’ are ideal for incontinence management, toilet training, and excessive perspiration. Management of these conditions is important for the user’s personal hygiene, comfort & dignity.
Caring Clothing’s Incontinence Bedding range offers the best product options for domestic settings. The reusable products are an environmentally sustainable approach, are proven to be cost-effective, and are easy to use.
The gift of security
Anyone can experience a fall accident, but falls are a major health concern especially for those who are aged 65 and over. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury in older Australians where nearly 1 in 3 experienced a fall in the past 12 months.
Give your loved one the gift of security with clothing or helpful tools that dramatically decrease the likelihood of falls and injuries.
Gripperz Non-Slip Ankle socks are designed with grip dot technology for safety to prevent slipping and skidding and general risk management for at home, hospitals, and aged care facilities.
Non-Slip, supportive footwear designed with seniors in mind for maximum functionality, support and comfort. Diabetic and orthordic-friendly shoes available for all purposes whether it’s indoor, exercising or everyday wear.
The Conni Absorbent Mat can prevent slips and trips, absorbing fluids and protecting carpets from stains. Convenient and durable, the absorbent mat can also be used beside beds to assist with any morning leaks, or placed under IV stands. Firm and flat, this mat offers discreet protection in those areas that may be prone to accidents.
