As we gather for the holidays, we don’t want to forget any of the founding members of our families. Studies have shown that giving gifts to loved ones not only benefits them, but you as well!
Here, we’ll explain the benefits of giving sentimental, personalized gifts to your older family members and provide some ideas of thoughtful presents for seniors this holiday season.
Why We Give Gifts
Studies have shown that giving gifts creates more interaction within the parts of the brain that are associated with pleasure and processing social information. There is a similar response in the brain for receiving gifts, but this helps older adults in different ways than it helps people of other ages.
Practical Gifts for Seniors
Sometimes, our family members are more pragmatic than sentimental, and we want to give something that will make their day-to-day life easier. In fact, research proves that more people see long-term happiness from receiving practical gifts than purely sentimental ones.
Those who give gifts usually focus on the moment the receiver unwraps the gift rather than how the gift will be used later. However, when it comes to the long-term happiness of the receiver, practical gifts are much more popular. Here are some practical but thoughtful presents for seniors to consider for your loved one this holiday season.
- Digital Photo Frame
- Arthritis Bottle/Jar Opener
- Candle Warmer
- Wheelchair Blanket
- Non-Slip House Slippers/Socks
- Temperature Control Mug
- Back Lotion Applicator
- LED Motion Sensor Light
- Long Handle Hair Comb/Brush
- Extendable Shoehorn
Sentimental and Personalized Gifts
You can easily show your family members how much you love them with customized presents. Here are some ideas for sentimental and personalized gifts. When you consider purchasing gifts, you might want to buy something pricier to show your affection, but studies have shown that sentimental gifts benefit both those who receive and give them.
Sentimental and personalized gifts lead the recipients to feel vicarious pride where their emotions mirror those of the giver after creating a personalized and sentimental gift. This enhances self-esteem in both the giver and the receiver, which we have already shown to reduce health risks for seniors.
- I Wrote a Book About You
- Personalized Glass Magnets
- Conversation Cards for Grandparents
- Homemade Treats
- Memory Jars
- Their Favorite Childhood Toys
Gifts for Seniors With Alzheimer’s/Dementia
For those who visit family members in our memory care communities, there are thoughtful yet helpful gifts you can give them to help maintain their memory for longer. These gifts stimulate the parts of their brains associated with memory, helping them combat Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
- Day Clock
- RAZ Memory Cell Phone
- Handmade Scrapbook
- Coffee Table Books
- Expressions Memory Game
- Adaptive Clothing
- Essential Oil Diffusers
- Radios/Music Players
Inexpensive and Fun Senior Gift Ideas
You don’t always have to buy gifts for your family! For some, spending time with their family is the greatest gift an older adult can get. Plus, we understand the holidays can be financially stressful for some. However, there are still plenty of gifts you can give that still highlight how much you care for your loved one without feeling cheap or insincere.
Here are some ideas for inexpensive, fun and thoughtful presents for seniors!
- Take them out to eat
- Play their favorite card/board game
- Make crafts together
- Bake together
- Visit a museum
- Look through old photos together
The Importance of Giving and Receiving Gifts
Studies reveal that giving and receiving gifts provides many health benefits, but let’s dive deeper into exactly what goes on in the body during the gifting process and how it can benefit older adults.
When looking at what happens in the brain when we receive gifts, neuroscientists have actually seen increases of oxytocin in the brain, also known as the “happy” hormone. While there are many health benefits to this hormone, this is what early research has shown it can help with in older adults.
Improved Memory
When the brains of older adults experience an increase in oxytocin levels, it affects the hippocampus or the part of our brain that handles memory. What scientists have seen is that regular exposure to increased oxytocin levels helps to preserve the size of the hippocampus.
Aging adults may have problems with the hippocampus, causing memory issues and being an early sign of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. What these studies have shown is that by giving thoughtful presents for seniors, we can fight against these concerns and help maintain our loved one’s memory.
Better Mental Health
Another benefit of increased levels of oxytocin in older adults is that it doesn’t just create a positive impact on the hippocampus but on the rest of the brain as well. Specifically, higher levels of oxytocin were shown to improve social behavior, reducing the risk of anxiety and depression.
While there is still research being done, early looks into artificial oxytocin’s effect on the brain also shows promising results in preventing and combating neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Lower Stress Hormones
Increased levels of oxytocin also decrease the level of glucocorticoid hormones in your body. Glucocorticoids are stress hormones like cortisol, cortisone, hydrocortisone and corticosterone. While these hormones are natural and can be helpful in the right amounts, consistent exposure or production of these hormones can cause health issues.
Older adults are at risk of naturally producing too much of these glucocorticoids. This increases their risk of heart attack, stroke, bone loss, high cholesterol, depression, memory loss and more. So, giving sentimental, personalized gifts can help regulate their stress and decrease their risk of developing these health issues.
Give the Gift of a Caring Community
Whether you are looking for a community for yourself or a loved one, all of our Tutera locations offer a dedicated, comfortable and caring community where you or your loved one can find a place to call home.
You can discover which communities are near you, or if you’ve already found a community you’d like to explore, take the time to schedule a tour. No matter what, we’ll make sure you have everything you need to make an educated decision about your future home.
