Holiday Gift Giving Guide: Best Gifts for Senior Citizens

Senior citizens and elderly people can be the most difficult people to shop for during the holidays. Selecting appropriate gifts for seniors means being mindful of certain restrictions and limitations, so that the gift that you give can be enjoyed. Here's a 'do' and 'don't' list to consider when holiday shopping for an elderly person.

Don't give these gifts:

Candy, nuts, salty snacks, taffy, popcorn, specialty coffee, caramel corn and sweets: Many seniors suffer from diabetes, digestive issues and weak teeth. Many senior have dentures. Candy, nuts and sweets may hurt their teeth. Many candies are sticky and difficult to chew. Diabetics, of course must restrict their sugar intake. Nuts and popcorn are difficult to digest and aggravate Irritable Bowel Syndrome, colon problems, diverticulitis and other digestive issues. Salty snacks and caffeine are unhealthy for seniors with high blood pressure, circulation problems and heart disease. Salty snacks are hard on the teeth.

Do give these food gifts instead:

herbal teas, vitamin drinks, hot cocoa, low-sodium crackers, Pepperidge Farm crackers (made with healthier ingredients), soft, non-sticky candies made with Splenda, mints and hard candy

Do give these entertainment gifts: Senior citizens have difficulty seeing and hearing things clearly. Many elderly people love to read, but lack the visual acuity. Instead of giving books with fine print that are difficult to see and read, look for these entertainment choices instead:

books with large print

large coffee table books with nice illustrations

book magnifier for reading

large print crossword and word puzzle books

books on CD, a

folding lap table or desk

desk lamp

audio CDs with a portable CD player

Ipod or Mp3 player preloaded with grandma's favorite gospel, country or classical music favorites. The mp3 player is perfect because the ear-buds fit right into her ear and she can easily adjust the volume.

Miscellaneous senior citizen gift ideas:

warm, soft blanket (Senior citizens are almost always cold, no matter what the heat is set at. Many elderly persons will not turn up the thermostat because they are concerned about the cost of gas and electricity.)
Polar fleece, micro plush and micro fiber blankets wash up very nicely.
robe and slippers

hat, scarf and gloves (Many senior men are balding or have thinning hair. They catch cold easily. A warm, knitted cap and scarf make ideal gifts.)

massaging back pillow or neck roll

heated, massaging foot bath

Any and all of these gifts will be most welcomed by any senior citizen on your gift list. For more giving ideas, visit me at www.giftgivingguides.blogspot.com . For more on senior care, visit me at www.seniorcaregiverguide.blogspot.com.