Aging Parents: Gifts for Fathers and Grandfathers--Part 1 2015 update

 Father's Day sleeveless sweater vest cake 

made by Esperanza

Round-up of 50 Gifts for Fathers and Grandfathers

More gifts ideas for aging fathers and grandfathers--than I think a man could possibly want--have filled my posts over the last four years. I've reread them, remembering the time and outside-the-box thinking that went into compiling the list. 8 categories, arranged alphabetically: "Accessories and Clothing" to "Vision."

Not needing to reinvent the wheel, I've updated the list and added a bit. It's long now. I'll post in 2 parts so it's not overwhelming. Hoping that your shopping is made easier and that the aging men in your life will have smiles on their faces when they open their gifts.

To view entire post, please visit my other site.

AGING PARENTS: GIFTS FOR FATHERS AND GRANDFATHERS--Part 1

2014 Round-up of 45 Gifts for Fathers and Grandfathers

 

 Father's Day sleeveless sweater vest cake made by Esperanza          

More gifts ideas for aging fathers and grandfathers--than I think a man could possibly want--have filled my posts over the last three years. I've reread them, remembering the time and outside-the-box thinking that went into compiling the list. 8 categories, arranged alphabetically: "Accessories and Clothing" to "Vision."

I've updated the original list and added to it. It's long now. I'll post in 2 parts so it's not overwhelming. Hoping that your shopping is made easier and that the aging men in your life will have smiles on their faces when they open their gifts.

To view entire post, please go to my other site.

Aging Parents: A Round-Up of Gift Ideas for Father's Day

Fathers Day Cake made by Esperanza

The cake should look familiar--from my last year's Father's Day post. Today I'm rounding up gift ideas from my past posts and adding some. Indeed I'm also adding some hidden agenda items that enhance aging parents' quality of life, designated **. (You've probably thought about them but never had the courage to act.)  Since Father's Day is Sunday, here's the list--by categories--that should help us last-minute shoppers.

Accessories/Clothing:

• Cane (measured correctly) or walking stick
• Hat (to shade a bald/potentially balding head)
• Sport shirt. (Dad liked long sleeve ones to protect his arms from skin cancer--a definite concern as he aged.)
• Sleeveless cardigan (not over the head) sweater vest. Easier to get off and on if buttons aren't a problem. Older people run cold. Dad wore it at home. It also looked good under a jacket when he went out. (This style is hard to find.)
• An easy-to-use umbrella--opens/closes with the push of a button. Note: there has been a lot of rain this spring. (Totes makes one.)

Computers--especially designed for seniors: Check the 6 options in my May post http://helpparentsagewell.com/2011/05/28/computers-especially-for-seniors/  .

• A-Plus Senior Computer
• Big Screen Live
• Eldy
• GO computer
• WOW computer
• Pzee computer

  For the even less-technology-talented, check out 

• Paw Paw and the
• Presto Printing Mailbox.

Entertainment:

• Magazine Subscription
• Netflix
• Subscription to newspaper--hometown, financial
• Tickets to sporting events etc.--accompany Dad or for Dad and a friend.
• A short outing with Dad (fishing trip, golf game, movie, zoo, his old neighborhood if it's near--you might learn additional family history).

Health:

• Membership to the YMCA
• Membership to a gym
• Membership to Silver Sneakers
• A good blood pressure gauge may be a gift that helps parents age well, possibly recommended by doctor.
• A great pair of shoes for walking
• **This medication reminder was featured in a local hospital's magazine, sent to seniors in surrounding communities.  http://www.guardianmedicalmonitoring.com/medication-management.asp.  Good idea for forgetful fathers (and mothers)?

Hearing:  Hearing loss in older people is a problem for everyone.

• **Amplified Telephones=better conversations for all.  http://telephonesforhearingimpaired.com/  provides a quick education as does the  "Amplified Telephones" section of this U. of Calif at San Francisco Medical Center site:  http://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/hearing enhancement_devices/  

Check this NY Times article:   http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/07/functions-to-make-phones-easier-for-the-elderly/ which mentions Clarity's phones, http://shop.clarityproducts.com/.

Usually I pay little attention to company's emails sent to my blog's gmail, but because of the Times article--this interested me.  Click on the amplified phones picture for Clarity's offerings. A few phones (which may or may not meet your parents needs) are on sale for Father's Day.

 

Google "telephones for hearing loss" for additional phone options.

• **An appeal for an appointment with an audiologist (write a nice note)
• **Assistive listening systems: for TV watchers who need very high volume (http://www.hsdcstore.com/FAQs/DigitalTV.htm), while others in the room DON'T. Educate yourself. Scroll down to "Assistive Listening Devices."

Pampering

• Starbucks VIA ready brew individual instant coffee packets--regular or decaf in 3 or 12 packs for coffee lovers. Microwave in mug. Pricey. Dad probably wouldn't buy it for himself.
• A massage or a professional shave

Vision: We know aging produces vision changes in many.

• Large print books (for dads who still like the feel of a book)
• The Kindle or other electronic book, where the font can be enlarged--a Godsend I hear
• The mini-maglite, small flashlights that give great light in dark places.
• Pocket magnifying-glass takes up little space, is light weight, not pricey (less pricey at Staples), remains lit without having to keep a finger on any button, great for reading (menus/bills) in dark restaurants.

This is getting too long; will try to add to it tomorrow.  In the meantime, the "hidden agenda" part was inspired by an old event in my life.

The first Christmas we were married, my husband gave me a gift he thought I should have (cookbook).  But then he had another gift for me that I really liked.  We still laugh about it.  But the additional gift made it very OK.  OK--you get it.

Since helping parents age well is important, is there a gift that would enhance your dad's well-being? Something he would have resisted if you suggested it, but probably won't refuse especially if it's combined with something he'd really like? These are the ** gifts. You can laugh with him if your "hidden agenda" is discovered. But he will know your heart's in the right place.

Also visit my other site: http://helpparentsagewell.com   Same blog, more resources

Enrichment for Aging Parents Capable of Using a Computer

There is no one answer to why some capable, aging parents don't use a computer--another resource that can help parents age well.  A few reasons were offered in the last post. More recent questioning of older people elicited:

Comfort Level Reasons

1.  Older people are satisfied with things the way they are. Why make problems if they're happy with the status quo?
2.  They aren't interested in learning anything new.
3.  Any initial interest in learning to use a computer is ultimately overruled by the necessity of disrupting one's comfort level (which includes concerns about being able to learn and about internet security).
4.  When it involves "home," they don't want it "torn up." Thoughts of making a hole in the wall for internet access is unnerving, whether in a home or in an apartment lacking internet accessibility.

Financial Reasons

1.  While the price of computers has clearly come down, they do cost money.
2.  Installing internet access costs money.
3.  Then there's the monthly charge for internet access.

The above bears keeping in mind if you decide to plunge in and discuss getting a computer with your parents; as does the "keep it simple, stupid" rule. If it's complicated, forget it. Which brings us to computers recommended in past posts, but with a different twist.
1.  Paw Paw http://pawpawmail.com/ The simplest technology-just email. But it does connect seniors to the outside world. A baby step towards the internet's capabilities.
2.  A computer: Regardless of make or model, start simple.  Instruct how to E-mail, Google, Forward an e-mail, and Click on a forward, for example Live-Streaming (eg. the previously suggested link:http://www.livestream.com/nytnestcam , where viewing the baby red-tailed hawk and its parents is addictive and educational),  or UTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jca_p_3FcWA&feature=related, where Susan Boyle's 1st audition is thrilling. The latter two forwards highlight examples of the educational and musical potential.
3. The iPad: small, light-weight. Teaching parents the basics above, and selecting a few appropriate apps, gets parents started.  Once again check out Marti Weston's blog and her 80-something-year-old dad's experience after she gifted him with an iPad:http://asourparentsage.net/2010/12/03/holiday-gift-buying-an-ipad-for-your-senior-parent/#more-5951.

Father's Day is June 19th.  Yet there are other excuses to gift capable parents with a computer, internet access, and some of your time to teach some basics. If siblings and others want to chip in, so much the better. Once aging parents get thehang of it, won't they be entertained, connected, and possibly forever grateful?

Also check out my other site: http://helpparentsagewell.com. Same blog, additional resources.

Aging Parents: Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day crept up on me this year.  Suddenly it's less than two weeks away...actually too late for one of the best Mother's Day gift ideas--but perhaps not too late if you're creative.

I've never seen this handbag in the East....maybe because it comes from California.  But I've seen it in the West and grandmothers who have it, love it.  They should because it's pricey. (Yet we all know--everything pricey isn't loved by everyone).  At least one grandmother says it's "a thrilling gift to receive...I don't think any mother or grandmother would appreciate anything more." She has the "Vanessa." What makes it so special?

It's a Brighton handbag, with a photo expertly reproduced on the back and front-- a wonderful conversation piece of excellent quality...."sturdy," I'm told.

If you want to get it for Mother's Day, I'd like to suggest downloading a picture of the handbag and putting it in a Mother's Day Card.  After all, looking forward to something is half the fun and the photo won't be revealed until the handbag is unwrapped. When several people go in on the gift, needless to say, it becomes more affordable.  Click the link. http://www.brightoncollections.com/products.php?CatID=1&TypeID=61.

There's a phone number to call for specifics. You'll learn how to send the photo (which needs to be 4x6 horizontal) and when the gift will arrive. While I love the handbag with the family dog, I'm guessing grandchildren usually win out.

The second pricey gift: the iPad.  An 88-year-old with macular degeneration received one as a birthday gift last weekend and says she loves it because she can enlarge the font to read books as well as the apps (some of which her children installed for her).  This makes reading a so much better for her. (I understand her kids went to the Apple store at 7:30 in the morning and there was already a long line.)

A less pricey gift: the Kindle.  Again the size of the font can be enlarged which helps people with macular degeneration as well as others. While the Kindle is not as versatile as the iPad since it's made for reading books, it does help many aging parents to enjoy reading once again.

I will update previous posts featuring Mother's Day gifts on Saturday.  In the meantime, feel free to search them on my blog.


Visit my other site: http://helpparentsagewell.com--same blog, tabs, and more information

Meaningful Father's Day Gifts Help Parents Age Well

Neckties are the most popular Father's Day gift purchased,
according to the US Census Bureau

We often think "traditional gifts" when pondering gifts for aging fathers. What follows is a mix of gift ideas for older fathers who are relatively healthy and independent-- all designed to help parents age well.

Think technology! Gifts that contribute to social connections definitely help parents age well. Social connectedness is one of the three most important factors in successful aging, according to every major study. Non-tech-savvy elders can use and should love: technology that simplifies email--plus an oldie.

• The Presto Printing Mailbox provides one-way computer communication for older people who don't use a computer. It receives and prints (but doesn't send) emails and photos and can be programmed to receive email at times the recipient chooses. It must be connected to a telephone jack, but doesn't interfere with phone service.
• PawPawMail calls itself "easy email for seniors. And it is!
• The fax machine: an oldie but goodie. Its original purpose was to transmit important documents (still best for sending information to doctors and for reviewing bills parents question, for example). It also enables children to put something on paper and fax it to parents, who then have a hard copy to read, reread and show to others if it contains something they're proud of (could be a grandchild's artistic effort). Easy technology for anyone who has ever placed paper in a typewriter and used a telephone.

Not the usual clothing gifts for old fathers: my father had two clothing requests that I think elderly fathers who--if they're like my father and want to be protected from sun outdoors and warm indoors--would like.

• A long-sleeve sport shirt. Why? His 90+ years in the sun made him (and his arms of course) susceptible to those skin cancers that need to be removed before they turn into harmful skin cancers. Short-sleeve shirts prevail in stores in June. But I found long-sleeve ones on sale and also learned to buy ahead in the winter, especially if I happened to be in a warm weather climate (where there was usually a good selection).
• A sleeveless cardigan (not over the head) sweater vest. Older people "run" cold, and Dad liked--no loved--to wear his sweater vest with any and every shirt. It looked great; easy to get off and on and no problem for him (but possibly for some) to button or unbutton. He wore it at home. It also looked good under a jacket when he went out. His problem: he only had one. I had to really search to find another one, which was his Father's Day request when he was 93. Wish I'd known how to knit!

Vision Enhancers: (We know aging produces vision changes in many.)
The following, from the Mother's Day Post, are equally good gifts for dads:

• The mini-maglite, small flashlights that give great light in dark places.

• The small-size lighted pocket magnifying-glass takes up little space, is light weight, not pricey, and truly helps parents age well by providing enlarged, lit-up print--that remains lit without having to keep a finger on any button (unlike the popular thin credit card style). Handy for reading menus in dark restaurants.
  

Various gifts for the right dad--

• A library card
• Large print books
  
• Newspaper subscription (some have large print editions); possibly one from his hometown
  
• Magazine subscriptions (older people like getting something in the mail)
  
• A membership to the YMCA
  
• A paper map of the world for traveling or well-traveled Dads, plus colored pins so they can mark where they've been and where they're going if they still travel.
• A good blood pressure gauge may be the gift that helps parents age well and is appreciated by an aging father or grandfather. It may even be recommended by doctors in some cases, but obviously depends on the person.
• Starbucks's new VIA ready brew individual instant coffee packets--regular or decaf. According to discerning-coffee-drinking friends, the Columbia Medium coffee is excellent (they don't like the other roast). Available in 3 or 12 packs. No mess--just add the packet to the water in a mug, microwave for 1 minute,15 seconds. Because it's pricey, coffee-loving dads may resist buying it. Samples may be available.
• Tickets to a ballgame on Father's Day with a family member--brings us full-circle to the fact that being with family is the best gift for an aging parent. And for one Yankee's fan father--nothing could top being at the game with his son on Father's Day.