Finished With Your Shopping?

You should check out this blog on GeriPal (Geriatrics & Palliative Care blog) by Anna Chodos on What to Give Uncle Ernie, Grandma Mabel and Great Aunt Rose?  Ms. Chodos describes this post as “a mix of practical, helpful and more traditionally gifty [suggestions]. And it’s meant to make you feel generous because giving makes your and your recipient’s brains actually grow…” She includes hyper-links to the various items, to make your research and gifting activities even easier. And you might even want to include some of these items in your list to Santa, assuming you have been “nice.” Some are low-tech or no tech, some are high-tech (buy your mom that iPad) and all are thoughtful.  My favorite suggestion was the last one—-

A bit time intensive, but worth it for the right person- get a geriatric dog! My family’s approach to keeping my grandfather alive, who outlived his  dogs time and time again, was to keep replacing his dogs.  As someone  who loved the pitter patter of miniature dachshund feet, it was fairly  transparent that my family assumed he would never leave them behind.   That worked for decades.  

Interestingly, there are many older dogs that need adoption and programs all over the country.  These older dogs are often much calmer compared to puppies and already trained.  Consider gifting one if your giftee could take it…

I don’t recommend wrapping that one, but a bow will likely work.  Speaking of pets, another item for a pet lover, regardless of age, is Murals for Mutts which is a “501c(3) that raises money for animal welfare by painting pet portraits and pet murals in communities  around the country.”

What are your favorite gift ideas for the elders in your families?