Finding the perfect way to show your senior mother just how special she is can be a challenge. Maybe you feel stuck because you can’t celebrate Mother’s Day like you used to, whether it’s due to a change in family dynamics or her move to a senior living community. Fortunately, even with some practical limitations, there are several gifts for your elderly mom that can make any Mother’s Day memorable. These include gifts such as sentimental decorations, new gadgets, self-care items, and more.
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Images of fond memories with friends and family can be just the right gift to make your mom’s house or senior living residence truly feel like home. If she has a limited amount of space, a digital picture frame allows you to upload many images to the frame.
This is an excellent Mother’s Day gift for older moms, because you can upload pictures she may not have seen in a while. You can even transfer full photo albums from weddings, vacations, and more to a slideshow that she can view whenever she wants.
Most moms of any age cherish time spent with their family, so taking your mom on an outing may be one of the best gifts for her. Think about activities your mom loves to do — particularly any that she might not do as often if she’s moved into senior living — and plan a day filled with pastimes she’ll love. You could treat her to a delicious meal at her favorite restaurant, take her to see a movie, or book a spa appointment together.
Mother’s Day gifts for elderly moms don’t have to be extravagant. Sometimes, making an effort to spend time with her can be enough. You can find doable activities that mean the most to her and include it in your day out together.
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
For many seniors who are initially resistant to technology, a tablet can be the easiest type of device to start with. The larger screens on tablets are easier to read than a phone, and they’re easier to carry around than computers. Tablets can conveniently connect to Wi-Fi or be added to a data plan, so you can help your mom connect it and download apps and games you think she’ll like.
You can also download Skype or your preferred video-calling app to provide her an easy way to digitally connect with her children and grandchildren on a regular basis. A tablet is a gift that keeps on giving, as it can allow her to watch videos, play games, read, and more.
Read more:The 10 Best Tablets for Seniors in 2023
Wearable activity trackers can be a good incentive for older adults who are trying to form healthy habits. Activity trackers can help your mom become more active and track her health metrics as she goes. If you think your mom would like to have a wearable, health-focused device, then an activity tracker could be a good fit
For example, Garmin’s Lily 2 series can track your mom’s energy levels, heart rate, and respiration rate. When worn at night, it can also track her sleep. This tracker is worn like a watch, but it has a bright touchscreen and up to five days of battery life that can make it easy for seniors to use.
Monthly subscriptions are great ways to continue giving gifts to your mom throughout the year. There are plenty of different types of subscription boxes to choose from. For example, the BookBrews Box delivers a book of your mom’s favorite genre each month, along with a bar of chocolate and either coffee or tea.
Another option to consider is a floral service subscription as bouquets are always nice to receive, whether they mark a special occasion or not. A subscription from The Bouqs Company, for instance, can help you ensure your mom has a touch of nature close by to enjoy throughout the entire year.
You can also consider an Audible subscription. This service provides an audiobook of your mom’s choice each month, allowing her to listen to her favorite novels at her leisure. Audiobooks can be helpful to seniors as reading becomes more challenging over the years, and this subscription will allow her to enjoy her library more easily.
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Who doesn’t like to do a little comfy self-care in their own home? With a self-care gift basket, your mom can spend time relaxing and pampering herself in the comfort of her own living space. This type of Mother’s Day gift is also great for moms who are homebound or those who are recovering from a procedure or illness.
You can include things like a plush or sleek set of pajamas, candles with scents that remind her of home, the luxury versions of her go-to beauty supplies, or an oversized throw blanket. Think of items you think she may enjoy. If you’re not familiar with your mom’s favorite beauty brands or scents, do some sleuthing next time you visit to see if you can pin down her likes.
Small appliances can be a great way to add extra amenities to your mom’s place and make life more accessible for her. One great option is a coffee mug warmer that can keep your mom’s favorite tea or coffee at the perfect temperature. This particular one is waterproof, easy to clean, and will automatically turn off when a mug is removed.
If your mom’s house has a small kitchen, or if her senior living residence doesn’t have a stovetop, then making her preferred coffee or tea could be tricky. An electric kettle takes care of that problem. It includes its own source of heat, so all she has to do is plug it in and turn it on to get the water to just the right temperature.
Another appliance that might make your mom’s life easier is a battery-operated jar opener. This is great for moms with arthritis or poor grip strength. You can also think about different tasks she could use help with around the house and find other small appliances for her. However, if you’re helping your mom celebrate Mother’s Day in a senior living community this year, make sure any small appliances you’re considering fit within the community’s rules.
Anything that gives a room more character or serves as a reminder of loved ones can make your mom’s home feel more comfortable and meaningful. This wooden birthday calendar serves both purposes. You or your mom can write each family member’s birthday on a tag, attach them to the calendar, and hang it somewhere in her living space where she can enjoy it.
You can also consider crafts and creative decorations that you or the grandkids can make to provide your mom with colorful keepsakes of the family she loves. Little handmade creations she knows you put love into sometimes make the best elderly Mother’s Day gifts.
Persistent aches and pains can cause seniors to crave more relief with each passing year. Depending on the type of discomfort, some at-home remedies make great gifts for seniors.
If your mom has arthritis, a hand massager might be a useful Mother’s Day gift. This one has five temperatures and intensity levels to choose from, so she can customize it according to her needs. Bonus points for gifting it along with a comfortable robe so she can enjoy a spa day from the comfort of home.
A warming pillow or a massage pillow can also add comfort to your mom’s life while adhering to her home’s style. These kinds of gifts are particularly handy because they can also be used on other parts of the body where pain occurs, and they can be used while either seated or lying down.
If your mom has chronic pain, be sure to consult with her doctors before buying her any new pain remedy gadgets, as it may do her more harm than good.
Your elderly mom may be at a time in her life when she needs a bit of help with movements such as getting in and out of her favorite chair or reaching down to grab objects. With accessories like an Able Tray, your mom can store things like a tablet, a drink, or a remote control. The tray can attach to a sofa or recliner, and the additional handle provides support while getting up and down.
There are also mobility accessories that can help her with outdoor activities like gardening. For example, a garden kneeler can help her tend to her favorite plants without the hassle of straining to get up and down. The lightweight, foldable seat is easy to take from apartment to garden, and it has an attachment on the side to hold gardening tools. Mobility accessories like these allow senior moms to stay active indoors and out.
Whether your mom lives in her own home or has moved into a senior living community, there are many Mother’s Day gift options available. You can choose a gift that will make everyday life more comfortable for her, or you can opt for a gesture that will bring her joy. Whether you give her something personal like a sentimental gift, something practical for everyday life, or something as simple as your time, you can make this holiday special.
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