5 Healthy Gift Ideas for Older Adults
By Brandi Goodman
Older Americans Month arrives in May as a way to show support for seniors and encourage older adults to learn more about the health concerns that inevitably arise as we age. Mother's Day also falls to this month, with Father's Day following in June. Now is the perfect time to start considering some healthy gift ideas for older adults in your life who may benefit from them.
Warm Clothing Items
Many seniors struggle to stay warm. As our bodies age, our skin tends to reduce in thickness. Thin skin allows cold to set in much faster. Circulation is also struggling to keep up, and other health concerns can limit the body's ability to warm itself as well. Purchase warm clothing items for your loved ones so they can stay warm and cozy no matter the weather. Non-slip socks, slippers, a thick pair of gloves, a scarf, and a knitted hat are all good choices.
Puzzles
Memory starts slipping as people age. The brain may also struggle to keep up. Trying "brain games" such as puzzles and crosswords can really help keep this vital organ functioning well. Older adults are encouraged to continue learning and trying things that will keep their memory active. Buying them puzzles, games, and the like can help.
A Big-Button Universal Remote
Eyesight diminishes as we age as well. If you find your loved one has been struggling to see as well as they once did, gift them with a big-button universal remote. This remote has fewer buttons than typical controllers with words written in larger print so they can see them easier. You may need to stick around to help them get it programmed as well.
A Journal
Because memories start slipping, a journal can be a great tool for aging adults. At any age, the gift is ideal because keeping a journal is actually a great stress reliever. There are blank journals as well as those with prompts written to easily follow along and get ideas of what to write flowing.
A Freezer Full of Home-Cooked Meals
Cooking is a major chore. Add arthritis to your wrists and hands, hip pain while you're standing, and aging arms that struggle to stir, and you're even more likely to want to avoid it. Help out your elderly loved ones by gifting them a freezer full of home-cooked meals. That way, all they have to do is stick them in the oven or microwave and enjoy them once they're done. Healthy and nutritious meals are necessary at any age, but especially once you're older and struggle to get the daily nutrients you need into your body.
Give healthy gifts to your mother, father, grandparents, and any older adults in your life. Aging doesn't come easy, and health concerns can creep up quickly. With some health-conscious gifts to help, the older adults you love can work toward maintaining a better well-being.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.