The restrictions that have been so much a part of our lives due to the isolation regulations related to COVID-19 are slowly being lifted in some parts of the world. However, for some, the reality is that those restrictions are still in place and that means a limited amount of time can be spent outside – and this does have a bit of a dampening effect on our ability to enjoy an active lifestyle.
Seniors feel this as well, perhaps even to a greater extent than those who are younger. An active lifestyle for a senior contributes to better physical and mental health – and that in turn means a better quality of life for those in their ‘Golden Years’.
However, thankfully there are some great gifts for seniors who do lift an active lifestyle – and many of those gifts can be enjoyed in the confined spaces that the restrictions have made part of our day to day lives.
Best Gifts for Active Seniors
Stylish & High Quality Reading Glasses from LOOK OPTIC
Look Optic’s reading glasses aren’t your typical drug store readers. They are lightweight, stylish, with crystal-clear prescription quality lenses. I personally have a pair of their “Bond” frames that I use instead of my progressive bifocals when working because I can see better with them. And without the awkward head tilting too.
I personally like their “Cosmo” line best for women and the “Bond” line best for men. But, they have so many styles and color choices you are sure to find a pair that you or your senior gift recipient will love. Their 90 day risk-free trial guarantees it!
Mahabis Curve Supportive Slippers for Men and Women
Mahabis Curve slippers feature a flexible and grippy rubber sole with a luxurious Italian wool lining. They are made to be durable and easy to care for. Plus, they have the neoprene heel cup to make sure they say secure on your feet reducing the chance of a fall. Available in multiple colors and men’s and women’s sizing.
Snug Safety – Free Daily Check-In Service
Looking for a unique gift idea for a senior or elderly person who lives alone? Here is a great alternative to expensive medical alert systems.
Snug is a free – and friendly – check in service for people living alone. It works via an app on a mobile phone and alerts a senior’s emergency contacts if they don’t check in by their assigned time.
There are free and paid subscription plans available. The free plan sends text messages to the emergency contacts while the paid Dispatch plan takes additional steps including phone calls to make sure the person is safe. If they can’t reach anyone, they will request a Wellness Check to the cell phone’s last location.
The Dispatch Plan is $9.99 per month but Graying With Grace readers can save 15% by using my discount code GWG15 or the button below.
Orthofeet BioSoft Padded Sole Socks
The BioSoft line of socks from Orthofeet are specifically designed to address foot pain and increase overall foot comfort. They are made of super-soft, moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial bamboo fibers and come with padded soles and super stretchy cuffs to better fit swollen feet, ankle, and calves.
Copper Compression Arthritis Gloves
The Copper Compression Arthritis Gloves keep your hands warm, compressed, and comfortable too. These gloves come in a variety of sizes and are made of a copper-infused material that’s perfect for consistent performance. They have a fingerless design so that you can still move your fingers.
Use my discount code GWG20 to save 20% off of regular price.
Chagaccino Mushroom Mocha by Renude
What in the world is a Chagaccino?
Boost and transform your morning brew with this formulated mushroom mocha that is also sugar-free, vegan, keto-friendly latte. Contains an effective dose of the planet’s greatest adaptogens to support immunity, promote anti-aging, boost your energy without the caffeine jitters. Made from wild foraged chaga mushrooms, this delicious beverage also contains organic cacao, cinnamon, and monk fruit.
Oh, and no. It doesn’t taste like dirt!
Zeba – Revolutionary New Hands-Free Sneakers
Zeba’s fashionable sneakers are a great choice for seniors because of their patented no-tie system. Instead of dealing with fasteners, they slip right on even from a standing position. This reduces the chance of you losing your balance because you won’t need to bend over to tie your shoes!
Vive Health Mach V Fitness Tracker Watch
This fitness watch from Vive Health is a comprehensive activity and sleep tracker. It even tracks heart rate and blood pressure throughout the day to promote good cardiovascular health.
It has an easy to use interface with a screen that is bright, clear and easy for most older adults to read. It last 7 days between charges and recharges in fully in less than 2 hours using a simple magnetic charger.
Finally, it is water-resistant and can be worn in the shower or while washing hands so you don’t have to worry about it getting misplaced. 2 color options and a 60 day satisfaction guarantee.
WoolFit® Taiga Ankle High Felt Slippers
Looking for a nice pair of supportive slippers that look good too? Take a look at these Taiga wool felt slipper boots from German Slippers.
They sent me a pair to try for myself and I am very happy with them! They have many of the features I recommend in my post about safe slippers for seniors: stretch opening for swollen feet, support for the heel, and non-skid rubber soles.
Plus your feet literally sink into the wool insoles while also giving you good arch support. If you like to keep things “green” they are also sustainably sourced with a zero waste policy. Would you believe they even smell good?!?
Manly Indulgence Scented Candles
Candles don’t have to be feminine or use only floral scents. The Manly Indulgence line of candles from Colonial Candle includes more masculine scents like Bachelor Pad, Fresh Shave, 5 O’Clock Shadow, or Mahogany Leather. Choose from their Adventure, Rebel, or Sophisticated Collections.
Aria Me Personalized Hearing Enhanced Headphones
The best thing about these headphones is that they customize themselves to give you the best hearing experience possible – even for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Plus, they are comfortable and lightweight which makes them easy to wear for hours and hours. Easily adapted for use with TV, Bluetooth devices, computers, and more.
Audiobooks.com Monthly Audiobook Club
Many seniors can benefit from an Audiobooks.com subscriptions: from active seniors who like to exercise to elderly people who are homebound or even bedridden. Audiobooks provide hours of entertainment, education and enlightenment. Plus, they keep seniors minds busy as they pass the time.
On The Go Snack Cups
This useful snack cup is a great gift for seniors who are on the go or like to snack throughout the day. The best part? It keeps the wet and dry ingredients separate until you are ready. No soggy cereal or granola! BPA-free and dishwasher safe. Multiple color choices.
Briggs & Riley Baseline-Large Travel Satchel | Amazon
Whether you need a bag to grab to head to the gym or one for an overnight stay, the Suiter Duffle bag fills both needs. Converts from a duffle to a hanging garment bag in a flash. Multiple color choices. Weighs 3.2 lbs.
Garmin vívofit® 4 | Fitness Activity Tracker
The vivofit 4 fitness tracker is a great choice for active seniors who work hard on their health. Track steps, distance, and calories burned. The always-on color display features large, easy to read numbers. It is easy to operate too!
Raz Mobility Easy-to-use Memory Cell Phone for Seniors
This easy to use cell phone for seniors features photo dialing, an emergency button, and displays the time, remaining batter, and signal strength. And, that’s it! Plus caregivers can manage and control the phone settings through a simple portal.
QuietComfort 45 II Noise Cancelling Smart Headphones by Bose
These high quality noise-cancelling headphones are world renowned for shutting out the world around you. Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant too. Wireless and easily synced to a phone, tablet, or PC.
Health Exercise and Wellness Wall Calendar
This calendar encourages you to form healthy habits by tracking your progress and giving you a place for motivation and encouragement. Easily record and document activity levels and other health stats. Month at a glance calendar. Measures 12″X24″ when open.
Deep Portable 4-piece Glass Baking Dish Set
This deep dish set with lid and carrying case is a great choice for active seniors who are always attending family dinners, church events, or social group meetings. 5 quart capacity with hot and cold pack plus insulates carrying case. Dishwasher, freezer, microwave, and oven safe.
Lively Wearable2 Medical Alert Watch
The Wearable2 is a simple health tracker and fall detection device. As such, it has a myriad of features. For fall detection, users have access to GreatCall’s 5Star Urgent Response. The watch connects immediately with the call center when it detects a fall.
Users also have access to other emergency services, roadside assistance, locksmith, or their caregiver by merely pressing the 5Star button. For fitness tracking, users have to pair the device with the iOS or Andriod app.
Women’s Paw Print Sherpa Pullover | GreaterGood
This snuggly pullover fleece keeps you cozy in a high neck, fitted cuffs, and two front pockets for key or other essentials or just for warming up your hands!
Shape Magazine Subscription | Magazine.Store
Shape is a fitness magazine for women of all ages who want to live an overall healthy lifestyle. Includes diet tips, workouts, and beauty and fashion trends. 10 issues per year.
Hunt A Killer – Do You Have What It Takes?
Enjoy a good mystery? Can’t put down an Agatha Christie novel once you get started? Then HuntAKiller.com may be just the subscription service for you.
Each month you get a box of clues to help you solve a murder. These monthly boxes are laid out like an episode of a TV show and they tell a bigger story. Six episodes complete a season. There are puzzles and ciphers to solve too for the puzzle lover.
Each box takes between 90 min and 3 hours to complete and can be used as a group experience too. Worried about content? The boxes are “PG-13” because some clues may be graphic (autopsy reports and such).
Loot Crate Subscription and Gift Boxes
This is the perfect gift for more hip seniors (or those that think they are!) Choose from a general pop culture box or themed boxes like gaming, clothing, comics and more. Can be a one-time gift or a monthly subscription box.
Pile Lined Hardsole Moccasin Slippers | Minnetonka Moccasin
These traditional moccasins with indoor-outdoor soles are for more than just the house. Ideal for walking the dog or grabbing coffee, your feet will stay warm on chilly days. Thick pile lining cushions every step. Available in Men’s and Women’s styles.
Beer of the Month Club | MonthlyClubs.com
Get hand-crafted beers shopped each month curated from more than 10,000 US and international breweries. Beers are selected by a panel of brewmasters. Includes a personalized gift message.
Sport-Brella All Position Umbrella with Universal Clamp | Amazon.com
Being out in the sun all day can lead to a sunburn and skin damage, but thankfully, this umbrella provides excellent protection. The umbrella, which can be securely fastened to a wheelchair, can block out 99.5% of UVA rays. The umbrella is fully adjustable and easy to transport, which means the person you’re shopping for will be able to use it whenever they spend time outside.
Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor & Watch | HeartGuide by OMRON
The HeartGuide is the first accurate wearable blood pressure monitor. Tracks heart data, activity level, sleep, and more. Accompanying app analyzes data for personal health recommendations.
Dark Chocolate Covered Roasted Espresso Coffee Beans 2 Pound
Chocolate + Coffee = Perfection, right? These medium roasted espresso coffee beans are covered in a rich dark chocolate for the best of both. 2 lbs.
Black Matte Cordless 7 Speed Hand Mixer | Amazon
KitchenAid is known for mixers and now they have this cordless model. 7 speeds and battery lasts long enough to make 4 batches of cookies. No cords to trip over or deal with either.
Desert Beauty Succulent Garden Plant – Teleflora
This garden includes green sedum succulents, a large green echeveria succulent, small green echeveria succulents, and small natural river rocks packaged in a round slate pot. Easy to care for and admire.
ASAKUKI Essential Oil Diffuser with Quiet Humidifier
An aromatherapy diffuser is a wonderful way to release a healthful mist into the air. This gift will transmit at various settings, so you can let it run for 6-8 hours with a tank of water. Anyone who lives in a home with a furnace or heating system that dries out the air needs a humidifier to put some moisture back into the air. And what better way to do that than with favorite aromas too.
Beurer 10-piece Professional Manicure & Pedicure Kit | Amazon.com
When the weather is too cold or mobility is a problem, this at-home kit is an ideal solution. Trimming in-grown toenails and calluses can be dealt with from the comfort and privacy of the home. The kit has all of the pieces needed for a manicure or pedicure. Plus, it includes an instructional guide that explains when/where to use each of the attachments. An LED light is built in to see the nails better. Consider adding to this gift with a small set of nail polishes, nail polish remover, and toe separators so that they can paint their nails too.
Ergonomic Gardening Tools Set with Rubber
Does your loved one have a green thumb? Why not upgrade their gardening tools with a complete set of tools and carrying case? Everything needed to tend to plants, inside or out, is included here. These tools have large ergonomic slip-free handles for people with arthritis or hand or wrist pain. Even if the senior doesn’t have a garden or plants to take care of, why not spark a potential new hobby with this gift?
Leather Journal in Gift Box with Pen | Amazon.com
This stylish journal is packaged in a gift box and has a unique style and look. It’s been said that journaling helps improve memory and mental processing – and it’s a great way to record memories or private thoughts. Would make a good travel or garden diary too.
TIMMKOO Easy to Use MP3 Player | Amazon.com
A great gift for an older adult who is a lover of great music, or even a tech-savvy relative, will truly appreciate a senior friendly MP3 player. Music can bring back positive memories, increase stimulation, and provide a chance to interact with those around them. Load it up with their favorite music before giving it to them. This easy to use model has simple instructions and a large easy to read screen.
Smart Jewelry with Panic Button | invisaWear
This well made jewelry features a hidden panic button that you can press when you need any kind of assistance from friends, family, or even the authorities. Once received, the jewelry syncs up to an app on your cell phone. Then, once the panic button is pressed, your cell phone will notify the people that your designate.
A digital photo album is a fun way to load up and display family, vacation, and travel photos. Rather than having space for just one or two happy photos, you can add or change the pictures by uploading them from your phone to the frame when you come to visit. It can also be updated via WiFi too! For fun the senior could even use a camera to take some of the photos themselves.
Fire HD 8 Tablet and E-Reader | Amazon.com
Amazon Kindle is a reliable electronic reader that is available in many sizes and weights plus the fonts can be enlarged for easier reading. Set it up to have some of their favorite books ahead of time. Take it one step further and load an app like Skype onto a newer Kindle version so that they can sign in and chat with family when you are apart.
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Wireless headphones will let your loved one enjoy their TV viewing, audiobook listening experience, or just shut the world out for a little while. These headphones fit right over the ear and cancel out the noise around them in an otherwise noisy common area. This model has a 30 hour battery life and can be synced to a wide range of devices via Bluetooth. Check out my guide to buying headphones for seniors and the elderly in this article.
Dynotag SuperAlert Medical ID Tags | Dynotag
With these medical tags, it’s easy for first responders to get essential information about a patient. The tags are laminated and completely weatherproof, which means they’ll be in great shape for years. The set includes both a keychain tag and a wallet card. It’s a wonderful way to protect the people you love most.
Single Serve Coffee Maker for K Cup Pods and Ground Coffee | Amazon
No matter how old some of us get, that morning cup of coffee is a mandatory start to the day. This single serve coffee maker is a great gift to provide that single cup of coffee – quickly and easily. No waste, no hassle, just a simple and strong cup of caffeine to get going in the morning.
Esky Wireless Key Finder | Amazon.com
Featuring a transmitter kept at one location and six receivers that can be attached to car keys, house keys, remote controls, phones, or whatever else you might frequently lose or misplace. Hit the button, hear the loud beeps, and find what you’re missing!
Vive Neck and Back Shiatsu Massager with Heat
Perfect for heating, massaging, and relaxing sore back and neck muscles, this is a great gift that can provide much needed relief to muscle soreness, muscle tightness, or even pain resulting from these issues. All without having to book an appointment, go across town, and deal with the uncomfortable aspects of getting a massage from a professional.
Lightweight Folding Step Stool | Amazon.com
Whether needing a sturdy non-slick step stool to reach the top of the shelves in the bathroom, the kitchen, or the basement, a reliable folding step stool is an incredibly practical and extremely useful gift. This encourages that all-important sense of independence and self-reliance while helping to reduce the chances of preventable accidents. See more step stools for seniors here.
SB SOX Compression Foot Sleeves for Men & Women | Amazon.com
For seniors who suffer from foot pain, these compression foot sleeves provide gentle compression to relieve pain and are FDA-registered. Breathable fabric keeps feet cool. Available in full socks and knee socks as well.
All-New Echo Dot (4th Gen) | Smart speaker with Alexa | Amazon.com
This is probably one of the most useful gifts for any senior. Alexa Echo will tell them the time, date, weather forecast, play them their favorite songs, and also remind them to have their medicines. However, you may need to set it up for them.
Montem Ultra Strong Hiking/Walking/Trekking Poles | Amazon.com
These walking poles are actually quite useful for those with mobility issues or those who simply want to take some of the strain off their legs. Using the sticks to simply walk incorporates more of the upper body in the walking movement much the same way as an elliptical. So, for those who have knee problems, these might help them move around easier for longer walks and hikes.
Amazon Basics RFID Travel Passport Wallet Organizer
If your recipient travels a lot, or enjoys taking cruises regularly, get this travel wallet. Throw in some luggage tags while you are at it. This arthritis friendly wallet is perfect for keeping valuables safe while on vacation, big enough to hold a passport, money, cards, phone, and a few other necessities.
PLUSINNO Spinning Rod and Reel Combos | Amazon.com
For outdoor-loving seniors who also love to fish, fishing kits like these can be a great gift. Plus, you can even add to this gift by purchasing a fishing or hunting license in their favorite areas for the upcoming seasons. Good for beginners, it has everything one needs including a carrier bag, fishing rod, reel, line, different lures and hooks, and more.
Gentleman’s Box Men’s Accessories Box
If you have an older male relative who likes to look smart and feel fresh, then this is a great box for them.
This subscription box includes ties, socks, sunglasses, cufflinks, aftershave, creams and other small personal grooming items fit for a real gentleman. There are two tiers of subscription. The standard box is nice and quite luxurious.
Plus, there is a premium version that steps it up again with some stunning items in it that would make great gifts individually, let alone in a subscription.
Craftsman Crate Skill Building Subscription Box
The Craftsman Crate is a great way for seniors to try out new hobbies while keeping their hands active and busy. Each box is a complete project box with complete instructions and even includes the tools needed. Past boxes have included candle-making, mosaics, and soapstone carving.
YakTrax 8611 Pro Traction Cleats | Amazon
YakTrax are nifty little gadgets that slip over your existing boots and shoes to improve traction on snow and ice or when hiking on rougher surfaces.
Stackable Weekly Pill Organizer – Great for Travel! (Amazon)
It seems that taking medication becomes a routine part of life as we age. Sometimes, it can be difficult to keep track of it all too! This stackable pill organizer holds a weeks worth of medication in convenient daily drawers. Simply pull the current day out of the bottom of the dispenser and the other days slide down a notch to replace it. Each drawer has 4 different slots for the time of the day the pill should be taken. It also comes with stickers so you can label the drawers in 22 different languages. The small, compact size is great for travelers too!
General Gift Ideas for Active Seniors
1. Nutrition-Boosting Appliances
Even prior to enjoying exercise as apart of that commitment to a healthy lifestyle, the senior needs to take care of their nutrition. Thankfully, this has become easier than ever before.
There are a huge variety of smoothie makers for instance that are available on the market – and they make perfect gifts. These kitchen blenders are also perfect for those who suffer from sensitive stomachs. You can also gift an infusion blender which allows for the fresh taste of herbs, fruit and vegetables to infuse water for a refreshing way to stay hydrated during exercise.
2. Breathable Workout Attire
Age doesn’t mean not looking good and being comfortable while enjoying an active lifestyle. There are a number of natural fiber workout outfits (even if that workout is a simple walk) that are extremely comfortable. There are also hypoallergenic versions that are extremely gentle on aging skin. Seniors also tend to feel the extremes of heat and cold more than do younger folk.
3. Warming Gifts For Outdoors
The thermoregulation of the body isn’t always functioning optimally. There are a number of compact disposable chemical warmer packets that can keep older people comfortable when the temperatures start to dip and they would like to enjoy the outdoors as part of their fitness regime. A great pair of gloves is also a fabulous gift – and for the tech-savvy senior there are pairs which have been designed to allow for easy use of mobile phones – so they can keep in touch.
4. Walking / Hiking Sticks
A great walking and hiking stick is a gift that is truly useful. They are available in a variety of different materials such as lightweight aluminum or the more traditional hand-carved versions. If you are feeling especially arty – or you are skilled enough, a walking or hiking stick that is the product of your own creativity and labor – and your individual choice of wood is one of the most heartfelt gifts that any senior can receive.
5. Fitness Gear
Both yoga and swimming are low-impact forms of exercise (and offer great cardio benefits) that remain firm favorites with seniors who enjoy an active lifestyle. For seniors that enjoy getting wet, a swim board is a perfect gift. There are some great ergonomically designed and comfortable options on the market. For those who enjoy the yoga experience a comfortable and non-slip mat is a great gift for a senior who is on that path to increased strength and flexibility.
Wrapping Up
When all is said and done each senior who enjoys an active lifestyle would be delighted to accept any of these gifts. However, it is not the gift alone that will mean the world to them – it is the care and love that is demonstrated in the choice of that gift.
