Aging Parents: Great Gifts on the Inside; Looking Great Outside Too

They say "It's what's inside that counts." No argument here. That said, doesn't anything that looks great on the outside raise our spirits...and those of our elders?

Two gift-giving holidays are fast-approaching. I think of the value of extra nicely wrapped gifts–where the initial fun is seeing them, followed by the joy of discovering what’s inside. 

To view entire post please go to my other site.

http://helpparentsagewell.com/2014/12/06/aging-parents-gifts-that-look-great/

SENSE OF PURPOSE: A GIFT FOR AGING PARENTS AT THANKSGIVING, CHANUKAH, AND BEHOND

I think everyone would agree: having a sense of purpose is essential to feeling good about life. The big question: How do we instill a sense of purpose in aging parents who no longer have it?

Do remember, those who never had it will no doubt never get it--
People Change, Not Much.


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Help Aging Parents--Who Don't Eat Properly: A Centenarian's Advice

Thanksgiving Leftovers Go Home

With Thanksgiving/Chanukah just a over a week away, I'm thinking about our dinner, older family members, their eating habits, and what special contributions I can make.

At age 97 and 98 Sr. Advisor, R, previously shared thoughts and advice on my posts about nutritious food older people like, can prepare easily and quickly, and where and how she buys it. (Links below)

Now--at age 100--she shares her philosophy as it relates to life and food, and reiterates her quick, easy, no-mess, healthy food preparation that has helped her age well.

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A Nontraditional Thanksgiving Day for Aging Parents This Year?

HOW DO WE CELEBRATE WHEN CHANUKAH AND THANKSGIVING SHARE 
                                                         THE DATE?           
        ARE BLACK FRIDAY SALES BEING ONE-UPPED BY THANKSGIVING
                                                            SALES?
                           ARE AGING PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS FLEXIBLE?

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2012 Holiday Gifts for Aging Mothers-1 (updated from Nov. 2011 post)

Fashionable, Appropriate, Clothing and Accessories:

6 Excellent Sites

There's a never-worn St. John knit hanging in my closet.  Normally a very pricey label, it was so inexpensive (a "buy" 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: older women's 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, 99, uses catalogs...and always looks well-put-together. Check out her favorite catalogs and their URLs. If you want to entertain your mother, while getting an idea of what she likes, check them out together.  (In counseling we call the latter "a hidden agenda.")

 

To view this entire post please visit my other site:http://helpparentsagewell.com/2012/11/24/holiday-gifts-for-aging-mothers-1-2012