Gift Giving for Residents of Long Term Care Facilities

Editor: Motreasures

This guide will discuss the challenges and rewards of finding and giving gifts to residents of long term care facilities.

Meaningful gift giving can be challenging when purchasing for a family member or friend who resides in a Long Term Care Facility or more commonly referred to as a Nursing Home. Selecting and giving a gift that is personal and treasured will not only bring joy to the recipient of the gift, but also to the giver. Anyone who has ever tried to come up with a gift that will mean something to their family members knows that there are multiple challenges that must be taken into account. This article will address some of those challenges and make suggestions to generate gift ideas.

The Challenges

The functional ability of the family member has significantly changed. While it may be obvious that the very reason that the person is in the care facility is that they no longer are able to complete daily living tasks let alone recreational activities independently; there is an abundance of gifts that can and are adapted to make it possible for a person to continue to enjoy daily pleasures.

Space is an issue as there is significantly less wall, shelf and closet space per person in the care facility. Too much clutter can make it difficult for your family member to move around their room comfortably and safely. Special considerations must be taken into account if there is a wheelchair or walker used in the room. Plan ahead to make sure there is a permanent spot for your gift, whether there is shelf space or space in or on a hutch/small entertainment cabinet or floor space for the gift.

Unfortunately, consideration by the gift-giver must allow for the possibility that the gift may disappear, be displaced or be damaged by other residents, staff or visitors as it is a residential community environment. All gifts should be permanently marked with your family member’s name prior to or at the time of gifting. Use a sewn-in label in fabric gifts, permanent marker or a metallic marker for most other gifts. If there are items you want to make sure are returned to you when the family member is no longer residing in the care facility, make sure you include your name and contact information along with the resident’s name someplace it will be spotted either with a business card or note on the bottom.

Generate Gift Ideas

The gifts that come from the heart and that are most personal to your family member’s interests will be the very best. Ask your family member what they want or what they miss the most since their move into the facility in order to generate ideas of what will have the most meaning for them. It seems simple; however, think of your most treasured gifts and how someone thoughtfully seemed to know what fit for you by something you may have mentioned in passing. When reminiscing with your family member, pay attention to the stories they enjoy sharing and the activities involved. You are in essence doing a social history that will harvest ideas that will facilitate your shopping. The conversations regarding their past and present interests will be a gift in and of itself as there is no greater gift than that of time spent with your family member. Enjoy the process, you both will enjoy the quality time together.

Talk with the facility staff, including the Activities Department and Nursing Staff to see what your family member seems to especially enjoy doing within the facility for activities. If there are new interests that your family member has developed, the staff would know and be able to share. New interests are often discovered by pleasant accident or in friendships made with other residents.

Finding the gifts that your family member or friend will enjoy may seem challenging, however look at it as an opportunity to getting to know them in a whole different light. Make it fun and include the whole family in the process.

Watch for related articles for information specific to Gifts for Women in Long Term Care Facilities, Gifts for Men and Adaptive Gifts.

Related Guide: Gift Ideas for Family Members or Friends in a Long Term Care Facility

Categories: Health | Senior Health | Assisted Living | Society | Relationships | Gift Giving