Five Great Father's Day Gift Ideas for an Aging Parent

With Father's Day just around the corner, plans for spoiling dad should be under way. If you have an elderly father here are some really great ideas for gifts he will appreciate and be able to enjoy.

One: If your elderly father or grandfather has a love of reading but his eyes are not so keen these days there are several options for gifts to consider that will allow for him to pursue this passion. You could purchase books or magazines that are printed in special large print. Another option would be to purchase him a book by an author he likes or any read you know he will enjoy and a page magnifier. These magnifying glasses are light and designed to cover all or most of a book page and they enlarge the average font to a size that is more readable for someone whose eyes are in need of a little aid. Another option to consider is books on CD or tape. This allows the avid reader to enjoy a story while someone else tells it, at whatever time they find convenient to do so.

Two: Hiring a service for dad that will come in for whatever amount of time you specify, from one visit to regular intervals throughout an agreed upon timeframe, to perform a duty dad has to do but doesn't necessarily like to do, or at least he does not like to do all of the time, can prove a welcome and appreciated gift. For example, if dad likes to mow the lawn on the riding lawn mower, but hates to weed, hire a reputable lawn service to come and do the job. Or if dad needs to have the house painted and has been saying he is going to get that done, but you know it will be a daunting task for him, hire a service to come and do the job for him. There are many types of services available, from house cleaning to home and yard maintenance, and everything in between. Just take a look around from dad's point of view, and what type of service would be most appreciated can easily be brought to mind. Make sure, before you agree to hire a service that one, dad will appreciate the gift and not be put out or inconvenienced by it, and two, that you check the references thoroughly before allowing a stranger onto your father's property. You want to find a reputable company that will get the job done in a professional manner.

Three: Go big. If dad has items around the house that are becoming increasingly hard to use or navigate because they are small, now is the perfect time to get him a gift that will help to ease that discomfort for him by going large. For instance, if dad has trouble using the telephone these days because the buttons are so small, opt for a telephone that has all of the bells and whistles to make it current technology, but that purposely has extra large buttons to push so that dad can do so with ease. Or if the alarm system in the home is becoming cumbersome to use because it has a keypad that is hard to work, consider installing one that is just as efficient but easier for dad to use. If dad has trouble getting his hands to work the remote control consider getting a universal remote control with large buttons. If the clocks are hard to see or have mechanisms that are hard to turn or set, find one that has large numbers and big buttons. If he has a small monitor on his computer, upgrade it for him, to the newer, larger sizes that are easier to see and more gentle on the eyes. Luckily, in today's shopping market you can find just about any size you want for most types of items.

Four: Scheduled home deliveries. Give dad a gift certificate for home cooked meals delivered right to his home if that is something you think he will enjoy. You can choose from traditional to gourmet and anything besides. Or have a magazine subscription as a gift so he can have a read that he enjoys coming to him monthly (If he enjoys traveling, get a travel magazine, or if he likes to try new recipes, get a cooking recipe; literally there are as many types of magazines out there available to read as there are interests in reading them). If dad is a coffee lover, enroll him in a pre-paid coffee of the month club. If he is a lover of wine or interested in pursuing the knowledge of different types of wines, pay for a monthly membership for him to have wine and information cards on the deliveries sent coming to him (making sure the state he resides in allows for alcohol delivery permissibility). There are many types of home deliveries you can choose from and this can be a welcome gift idea that continues giving throughout the year.

Five: Do a dad check. This means simply standing in dad's shoes for a few minutes and seeing what items he might need upgraded that would make a great Father's Day present. For example, if he has trouble reaching into his back pocket for his wallet, consider getting him a wallet designed especially for the front pocket of his pants. If it is difficult for him to turn lights on and off, maybe a clapper light would be a great gift idea. A long handled body brush for ease in cleaning his back would be a great part of a gift. Or maybe a handle assist installed on his vehicle for ease getting in and out of the car would be a welcome addition for him. Maybe dad is having a hard time buttoning buttons on his shirt or zipping up his pants. Clothing with a hidden Velcro closure could ease his daily dilemma of getting dressed and allow him to focus on more important things. The idea here is to get him a gift that will make something difficult for him very easy, but to do so in a way that comes across as a considerate gift and not one that focuses on how he is aging. You are shopping for dad's day and the object is to make him feel appreciated and loved.

These five suggestions give you great ideas for finding the perfect Father's Day gift for the aging parent who means so much to you, on his special day.