Holiday Gifts for Aging Mothers--Part 1

There's a never-worn St. John knit hanging in my closet.  Normally a very pricey label, it was so inexpensive (these are the "buys" you can find in NY) I couldn't resist getting it for my mother years ago--her size, her color, two piece. But she never wore it.  Why?  At age 83, she tactfully told me that she didn't wear short sleeves because of flabby arms. Who knew?

Something to think about when selecting clothing: our aging mothers' particular wants and needs, as well as challenges.  Can can they button and unbutton easily? What about hooks and eyes? clasps to necklaces? things that zip, button in back etc. etc.  Do they want to downplay/hide certain parts of their body?

Senior advisor R, 98, has always had success with catalogs.  And she always looks well-put-together. Check out the following favorite catalog sites--not aimed at older women but with today's styles appropriate for older women. Do this with your mother if you want to entertain her a bit. There's what counselors call "a hidden agenda" here. You also find out what your mother likes/wants and can easily order it later.

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Gifts to Aid Reading for Seniors with Low Vision:An Additional Post for Black Friday and beyond

With Black Friday upon us, these 3 gift options can make reading easier for aging parents. Carefully check out their specific attributes.

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Aging Parents and Thanksgiving

As we all know and have seen documented so many times, “connections with others” is one of the most important factors in aging well. Thanksgiving connects the generations by just being together as well as through conversation. It also provides opportunities to contribute–in large or small ways–which especially makes older people feel worthwhile, needed. And isn’t that a priceless gift.

Dad could never make the pumpkin chiffon pie that Mother continued to make in her mid-80′s. But Dad could string that cranberry necklace up until his last Thanksgiving at age 94. With warm wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.

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Do We Expect Too Much of Aging Parents

Why Some Make the Effort, While Others Don’t

Senior Advisor, 98-year-old R, discussed this over dinner at a restaurant the other night. She highlighted how much harder it is to do every-day things with each passing year and the discipline and mental motivation involved–even for those who have (to use her mother’s term) “a good head on their shoulders.”

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Moving From Home Leads to a Holiday Gift Idea

Our moving day is fast approaching. There’s always so much more to do than one anticipates. Thinking about aging parents and elderly people going through this process makes me wonder how they do it......

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Aging Parents: A Happy Surprise and Flower Power

I think this decorated pumpkin could be given to anyone--old or young, in a care facility or living independently--between now and Thanksgiving. Just glue-gun a little turkey or on top--and use some dried wheat, perhaps....

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