A Holiday Gift Giving Guide for Homeowners Who are Aging in Place

Blog Written By: Beverly Nelson of Standup for Caregivers

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Seniors who are able to age in place are fortunate. They are able to stay in their home of choice while living out their golden years. However, the situation still presents complications if they want to keep a high standard regarding their quality of life. Aging changes a person both mentally and physically. A person may experience deteriorating vision and hearing, a decrease in muscle strength and endurance, and reduced mental processing capabilities.

 If you have a loved one aging in place, this holiday season consider them buying gifts that help make their lives easier. Nowadays there are a plethora of goods and services that can help make life simpler for homeowners who are getting older and are unable to do the things they used to be able to do.

 Courtesy of With Seniors in Mind, here are some great ideas for holiday gifts for the loved one aging in place:

 Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat allows a homeowner to have more control over the heating and cooling of their house. Not only can they adjust the temperature, they are programmable to adjust throughout the day to a person’s lifestyle. Some thermostats also connect to phone or tablet applications so they can be controlled remotely -- that way, if your loved one is cold or hot but has limited mobility, they can adjust their home’s temperature without having to get up. Furthermore, smart thermostats help homeowners save money on energy bills which is perfect for seniors living on a fixed income budget. Smart thermostats typically cost about $75-$250.

Yard Care Service

If your loved one has a yard, chances are they could use some help with mowing, pruning, raking, and watering -- especially if they have limited mobility. Gifting them with prepaid yard care takes this responsibility off their hands so they can enjoy a well-maintained yard without risking their physical well-being. Lawn services can be pretty budget-friendly. If you’re up for it, though, you can dedicate your time and do it yourself.

Robot Vacuum Cleaner

If your loved one does not have a yard but still experiences limitations with their mobility, chances are lugging a heavy vacuum around the house is difficult for them. Robot vacuum cleaners are popular with people of all ages, but they can be especially beneficial for seniors. They run on a pre-timed schedule and can maneuver around corners and objects to clean even in difficult areas. Your loved one can enjoy a clean home with spic-and-span floors without straining their back. Robot vacuum cleaners are priced from about $200-$1000, so there is one for every budget.

Grocery Delivery

If your loved one likes to cook their own meals but cannot drive, grocery delivery is the perfect solution. They can get fresh food and goods delivered to their doorstep from their favorite stores, so they can keep a pantry stocked with food for them and their pets. Prices depend on the area, service, and selection. Grocery delivery fees cost $4.99~$15.99, or are free with a subscription or a minimum order amount of $25~$35.

The Gift of Knowledge

If your loved one has ever talked about furthering their education (perhaps with the goal of starting their own business, it could be that they were apprehensive about returning to school after being out of it for so long. Or perhaps they just need a little nudge. Either way, there aren’t many more precious gifts you can give than knowledge! Whether that’s paying for their classes or helping them enroll and buy books, this is a gift that’s sure to convey just how much you care.

If you have a loved one who is fortunate enough to age in place, their health and happiness is the greatest gift of all. But this holiday season, you can go a little extra by gifting them something that makes their daily lives a bit easier.

Are you responsible for an elder-care community? Are you tired of spending most of your time and energy simply maintaining the status quo? Are you ready to explore how to increase the probability of success, and then sustain it? With Seniors in Mind can help! Download the Senior Living Sustainability Guide today!