The first time I met her was in June when she was in the hospital, and she was so out of her head that she didn't know anybody. She's ok now and back in the nursing home. My husband says sometimes she knows the family, other times not, but I still feel like we should get her something for Christmas. What do we get her? I'll have to do the shopping, my husband won't.
2007-09-20 03:37:46 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I work at a nursing home and every year we have a tree with things the residents want a we pick a resident and get it for them. Thye main things they ask for are puzzles, crossword puzzles, blankets, sweats, blankets, radios, hygien products, even coloring books. It's best to get her something to keep her busy. And a picture of the whole family would be a great idea. But the best gift you can give to her is to be with her for the holiday.
2007-09-20 03:47:19 · answer #1 · answered by Blah~!!! 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can make her a photo album of the family and make sure to label and date the photos to help her memory or so that others can help reinforce it.
you can also get her a bed jacket. It is basically a robe, but short like a jacket that you would wear if you are bedridden
If she is losing her faculties, perhaps some easy crafts like that would do , like paint by numbers, easy sewing or embroidery, and beads for necklaces, etc.
You can get a radio with music from different eras such as big band hits, jazz, or music of her youth and childhood and on up through the decades. That may help her keep some memory or bring about memories for her.
2007-09-20 10:47:09 · answer #2 · answered by island3girl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my mother in law is also in a home . what we have done over the last 6 years is this. she is on the ground floor so we put a bird feeder so she can see the birds we bring peanuts for the squirrls and put them outside so she can enjoy. I got her a soft thermal blanket so when she's in the wheelchair she can cover her legs. I ask the nurses if i can bring her favorite pies and such. She enjoys the homemade treats.We have gotten her flowers and plants. We have also done family collages big enough for her to see clearly. Have a great day.
2007-09-20 10:50:53 · answer #3 · answered by suzypjs2000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most people in nursing homes just want someone to come visit them. It would be nice to bring some homemade cookies or something, maybe a kind that your husbands family traditionaly has on christmas. She might not remember you but the smell and taste of the cookies would probably still comfort her.
2007-09-20 10:42:30 · answer #4 · answered by misty_dawn1100 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Creative memories sells these little 7x7 albums, which I am sure you can get at any hobby store that is around you. I think it would be nice to make a little memory book for her with pictures of her kids in it. 7x7's are small, maybe 1 - 2 pictures per page and I think it would only be like 24 pages total (you can take a few out if you don't have enough pics). Pictures of your husband and any brothers and sisters he has as children, and pictures of any brothers and sisters and parents that she had on decorated pages that would be nice for her to look at whenever she felt like it.
2007-09-20 14:47:30 · answer #5 · answered by Corona 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps the reason she's "out of her head" is because no one ever goes to visit her. From first hand experience,I've seen that the greastest gift you could give your mother in law is to bring her home and let her spend the holiday with your family.
Don't expect her to be the chatterbox at first. She'll have to come out of her shell a lttle at a time. But I bet she will have some stories to tell.
2007-09-20 10:49:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I worked in nursing homes for 4 years, the residents always asked for toiletries when given a choice of gifts. Nursing homes always supply this kind of thing but having their own always cheered them up and made them feel individual. try and find out if she has a favourite scent, lilac soap and talc was always a favourite with the elderly i worked with. its lovely that you have thought about this lady and I'm sure she will be chuffed to bits with any gift she receives x x
2007-09-20 11:02:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have children have them draw/color Christmas pictures, family photos in a nice frame, slippers, pjs and/or robe, homemade cookies or candy and be sure to stay and visit. It might even be nice if your family took an afternoon to decorate her room for the holiday season...be sure to include a poinsettia.
2007-09-20 10:51:48 · answer #8 · answered by Treva B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are a few ideas:
A warm pair of booties for her feet
A framed picture of the family, her husband, etc.
A CD or cassette of music she might enjoy
A photo album with pictures of her loved ones
2007-09-20 19:17:13 · answer #9 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Framed photos of the family
Flowers
Anything to make her room at the nursing home more personal and pleasant
Food, or better yet, take her out to dinner. Institutional food is pretty bad. (I did this with my grandmother and she loved it.)
2007-09-20 10:43:15 · answer #10 · answered by Wundt 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋