Lonely elders long to spend some time with their family members. Even if it’s just a chat on the phone or a Sunday afternoon visit. Unfortunately, if the family lives in another city, making that wish come true is hard.
I can understand this because my grandmother felt this way for 15 years after my grandfather passed.
That’s why I came up with a few gift ideas that I think will cheer up any lonely elder. Many of these gifts will help seniors and the elderly pass the time, communicate with loved ones, or make them feel safer in general.
Here are our top gifts to cheer up lonely seniors.
Thoughtful Gifts
With this gift, your loved one will receive one fresh bouquet of exotic and fragrant flowers for the best worldwide growers.
Each shipment includes a newsletter and a personalized gift letter from you. You get a subscription choice of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12-month options.
For lonely seniors, check out Crate Joy’s TheraBox Self-Care Box.
Each box has healthy ways to spend your time by concentrating on yourself and your own care. You get a happiness activity and several self care wellness products to try out.
The best part? Therapists choose each box’s selections!
TaoTronics Light Therapy Lamp
Light Therapy Lamp, 10,000 Lux UV Free LASTAR Sunlight Lamp with Touch Control 3 Brightness...
In winter, you could have 16 to 18 hours of darkness.
This keeps elders from getting out in the sun, which can depress some elders.
A light therapy lamp mimics natural outdoor light so that elders don’t feel they are missing out on anything outside.
Vive Neck and Back Shiatsu Massager
Neck Massager
Perfect for heating, massaging, and relaxing sore back and neck muscles, this gift 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.
Lush green plants add life and fresh air to any room and are a versatile gift for any occasion.
This mix of living potted plants is arranged in a green ceramic dish for a stylish, monochromatic look.
Body pillows are useful for propping up the aging body of a senior who sleeps on their side. They can also be used as a barrier to reduce the chance of falling from bed.
This super soft body pillow is properly sized to fit most adults and comes in various colors.
It is filled with a down alternative fill that provides great loft and support while also providing comfort and warmth.
Bearaby Napper Weighted Blankets
Many believe that weighted blankets help relieve tension and anxiety, resulting in calmer moods and better sleep.
We love the Bearaby weighted blankets here because they do not have those hard glass beads in them that tend to bunch up. They look like a homemade knotted blanket you might make yourself.
You have a choice of various weights and colors so that you can choose the perfect blanket for your loved one.
Many lonely older adults spend a fair amount of time watching TV. Many of them have hearing problems as well.
These TV headphones from AudioRange sit easily in the ear canal to boost the volume coming from the TV.
They are extremely easy to set up as well. Just plug them into the TV’s headphone jack or audio port and plug the base into the wall.
Then flip the on/off switch, and they are ready to use!
Electronic or Tech Gifts
This easy-to-use cell phone for seniors features photo dialing and an emergency button and displays the time, remaining battery, and signal strength.
And that’s it!
Plus caregivers can manage and control the phone settings through a simple portal.
Don’t go by the name of this gift. In fact, it makes pleasing sounds that can help elders go to sleep quickly.
They have a variety of sound variations and also active noise cancellation facilities, allowing lonely elders to drift off to sleep.
This well-made jewelry features a hidden panic button that you can press when you need any 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 you designated.
Accidents don’t come invited, and lonely adults with severe health conditions have a higher chance of emergencies.
So, gifting a personal alarm makes sense.
Whenever they feel something wrong with their health or they are in the middle of an emergency, they can push the alarm button to alert the neighbors or anyone around.
Audiobooks.com Monthly Audiobook Club
Many seniors can benefit from 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.
This easy-to-use smartphone for seniors has simple, list-basted menus with a large, easy-to-see screen.
Even offers voice typing and mobile internet access.
A great gift for an older adult who is a lover of great music or even a tech-savvy relative who 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.
A digital photo album is fun 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.
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.
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 various devices via Bluetooth.
Check out this article’s guide to buying headphones for seniors and the elderly.
Practical and Helpful Gifts
A super nice set of bedding isn’t usually an item that older adults will buy for themselves. So, an item like this could make a very nice gift.
The sheets from PeachSking are extremely soft, with a 1500 thread count of their proprietary smart fabric. This fabric is soft, durable, and helps regulate body the temperature at night for a comfortable sleep performance.
These sheets are the most popular choice in our best bedding for seniors article.
Does your recipient love nothing better than a big glass of sweet tea with dinner?
Help them take their tea game up a notch by introducing them to gourmet loose teas.
This starter kit includes three different types of teas in each of the three different collections. You even get a 40 oz pitcher with it too.
These walking poles are useful gifts for those with mobility issues or who simply want to take some of the strain off their legs.
Using the sticks to walk incorporates more of the upper body in the walking movement, much like an elliptical.
So, for those who have knee problems, these might help them move around easier for longer walks and hikes.
![4X Large Magnifying Glass with [10 Anti-Glare & Fully Dimmable LEDs]-Evenly Lit Viewing Area-The Best Lighted Magnifier for Reading Small Fonts, Low Vision Seniors, Macular Degeneration, Inspection](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41+rOxB95qS._SL500_.jpg)
As eyesight goes, this magnifying glass helps seniors read the small print on medication, newspapers, maps, and books.
The optical glass dome provides obstruction-free viewing without any distortion.
If reading is a problem altogether, think about an easy to use audio book player.
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.
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.
This senior meal delivery service sends chef-prepared meals from doctor-designed diets straight to the door.
Simply select your meals from a menu online or via phone and set your delivery schedule.
Rest assured, knowing your loved one is eating well.
Experts believe that sensory lap blankets can help calm the nerves of those who have early dementia.
They help to increase melatonin and serotonin levels overnight. This helps them to sleep comfortably for long periods.
Gifts to Entertain
The Medium Boredom Buster Care Package includes: Word search book, Crossword book, Deck of cards, Wooden puzzle brain teaser game, Tootsie Rolls, Camouflage hackie sack, camouflage bandana, 2 Quaker Oaks Granola bars, Smiley face stress ball, Juicy fruit gum, Blank note cards with envelopes, Planters asst deluxe nuts, Chex mix, Oreo cookies, Combos Cheese filled pretzel nuggets, Kraft gift box.
This subscription box has craft projects that seniors and beginning crafters will love.
Each box is themed around a particular season or holiday and is usually decor items that are show-off worthy!
Each box includes complete instructions and all accessories needed.
The Send Senior Citizens Love Subscription Box is sent out once a month and makes a great little care package for a lonely senior or elderly person.
Each donated box contains a pair of socks, an activity, lotion, a sugar-free treat, a handcrafted card, and more!
Many seniors love working on puzzles, so why not provide them with puzzles to work on all year long?
Puzzles help keep the mind active and sharp, improving memory and avoiding boredom. 9 Issues per year.
Nostalgia abounds in this flashback puzzle – you’ll quickly be transported back to your days as a child.
Features images of common items and visitors of diners in the 1950’s. 1000 pcs. 19.25″ X 26.75″ when completed.
As we age, many of us begin to wonder where we came from and where our roots begin.
AncestryDNA® now offers even more ways for aging adults to discover their family story.
Help them begin their journey with an AncestryDNA® Collection Kit.
As we age, it’s not uncommon to begin wondering where we came from and wanting to learn more about our roots.
A gift subscription for Ancestry® can help aging adults begin the journey by plugging in what they know about their ancestors.
A gift like this can also create an opportunity to spend time together by working on the family history together!
Magazine subscriptions provide many benefits for seniors: education, entertainment, and a way to pass some time.
They can also be a great link to the outside world. Look for large print magazines like Reader’s Digest for seniors with vision problems.
There are many options when it comes to good brain games. Brain games are important for crossword power, Sudoku books, word searches, or anything else.
This book is a great option among many for creating and interacting with games that not only pass time and keep you entertained but also keep the mind firing on all cylinders!
Help revive a senior’s old hobby or passion and give your loved one the tools to take up a new one with this artistic kit.
Doing creative tasks like this is good for better developing the more creative part of the brain.
While challenging, it will help to teach a new skill, occupy their time, and give them something to be proud of.
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 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 minutes and 3 hours to complete and can be used as a group experience.
Worried about content? The boxes are “PG-13” because some clues may be graphic (autopsy reports and such).
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.
Bird feeders are great for when people are bored or frustrated. Sitting by the window or on a porch and watching the birds can help to calm people down.
Place the birdhouse where seniors in nursing homes, assisted living or who are bedbound can see it out their window.
Do some research about local birds in the area where they live so that you can also include some bird seed that attracts neighborhood guests.
Food and Snack Gifts
Does the elderly person you are shopping have a bit of a snacking habit?
If so, this snack basket is filled with sweet and salty snacks that any nibbler will love – everything from chocolate candies to dipped pretzels to peanut brittle.
You even have a choice of ribbon color to personalize your gift.
Hello Fresh Meal Kits are a great way to provide meals for seniors and the elderly – especially if they enjoy cooking or have a caregiver to help.
Choose from a variety of menus and healthy food plans. Weekly meal box deliveries.
Send a beautiful and delicious jumbo caramel apple each month when signing up for a 6 or 12 month program or as a one-time purchase. Each apple comes with a festive ribbon or seasonal ornament.
Brighten someone’s day with this bright and cheery Daisy Cookie Bouquet from Cookies by design.
Options include 5, 7, or 12 cookies in a garden-style planter basket. Can by personalized or include a personal message
This cool gift box features 2 lbs of candy that was popular in your selected decade packed into a gift box. Decade options include the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and the 1990s.
For the true candy lover, there is a 4 lb choice and a monthly subscription box option to keep the candy coming regularly.
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
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Infographic:
<a href="POST-URL"><img style="width:100%;" src="https://www.grayingwithgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/gifts-for-lonely-seniors-and-elderly.png"></a><br>Design by: <a href="https://www.grayingwithgrace.com">Graying With Grace</a>Choosing a Gift for Lonely Elders
Selecting a gift for lonely elders is not a daunting task.
You should understand what would make them happy to counter their loneliness. As for me, I like the idea of the large print puzzle books and subscription boxes.
Gifts like this will help them stay busy and keep their minds sharp. Plus, knowing something else is coming later will give them something to look forward to!
Do you have a gift you recommend for elderly people who might be lonely? Please share your ideas in the comments below!
I just want you to know that I think this website is an absolutely great idea. So many elderly are so lonely. I will let those I know about it and I hope it spreads across the nation for others to access as well. Thank you!