Heartfelt Christmas Gift Ideas for Alzheimer’s Families
The holidays can be both a joyful and challenging time for families caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. Thoughtful gifts can bring moments of connection, joy, and comfort. Below, I’ve compiled 20 meaningful Christmas gift ideas, blending practical solutions and heartfelt gestures tailored for individuals living with Alzheimer’s.
Practical Christmas Gifts That Support Daily Life
1. Day Clock With Reminder Assistance
Clearly spells out the current time and part of the day, day of the week, date and month—with no confusing abbreviations!
Day clocks are one of the most popular products for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Time orientation can be a struggle and can lead to anxiety, agitation, wandering and repetitive questions.
The Day Clock with Day and Date is a 2nd Generation Day Clock with added alarm and reminder features.
2. Call to Mind Conversation Game
Call To Mind… is a specially designed board game developed by Laura Templeton over the course of 20 years through research and testing, including accreditation by the UCL. The simple game helps get to know and understand the thinking, likes and dislikes of someone with Alzheimer’s. This tool also stimulates memories and encourages conversations, both as the game is played and in everyday interactions. Play it at home with friends and family or in the professional setting of a care home, day care center, hospital or memory café. Great intergenerational activity!
3. Simple Music Player with One Button Radio
Pre-loaded with 75 American Classics songs from 20’th century -or- add your own MP3 music files!
Playing music to people with Alzheimer’s from their formative years vastly improves their cognizance and lucidity – the effects are dramatic, and are widely recognized by Dementia and Alzheimer’s professionals.
The SMPL One-Touch Radio & Music Player allows seniors, even with significant cognitive decline from Dementia or Alzheimer’s, to listen to music they loved in their youth. This also helps promote independent living, allowing seniors to stay in their homes longer. End result: by engaging minds, our Simple Music Player plus AM/FM Radio makes a significant contribution to seniors’ quality of life.
Product testing has shown our Music Player that is specifically designed for seniors and for those with Dementia or Alzheimer’s is simple to use – on the first try. Pressing the extra large button to Start/Stop the music is all they have to do. Pre-loaded with 75 American Classics from the last century, our MP3 format player can also handle up to 1,000 of their favorite songs or audio books that you can upload to the provided 8GB USB Memory Stick. Large buttons are easy to use for those with Arthritis and red is the preferred color for those with visual impairments. Problems…Solved.
4. Adaptive Clothing
Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients often lose the ability to comfortably and safely dress themselves. Even with the help of a caregiver, getting dressed can cause frustration for both the patient and their loved ones. Adaptive clothing takes the stress out of getting dressed and disrobing, making the entire process safer and more comfortable for everyone involved. Clothing with velcro closures or easy zippers simplifies dressing, preserving independence.
5. Fidget & Sensory Activity Pack
Seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia may show anxiety or agitation through fidgety hands. Signs include pulling or rubbing at clothes or bedding, rubbing hands together, twisting fingers, wringing hands, and generally keeping hands in motion. Sensory therapy or fidget items are an effective way to reduce anxiety, calm nerves, and provide comfort. Our Fidget & Sensory Activity Packs contain simple, touch-based activities that help someone with Alzheimer’s keep hands busy in safe, soothing ways.
6. Walker Squawker Robotic Bird
These cheery, artfully crafted animatronic birds are perfect Walker Accessories. Designed to deliver joy, fun, and companionship to older adults and their families. Perched playfully atop of walking devices, Walker Squawker birds aim to bring joy to every step!
The included strap contains a magnet that the birds easily attach to. Use on a walker – hold in your hand – sit on your nightstand… our friendly birds move their heads, beaks and have many settings that allow them to chirp, sing and mimic you or your loved-one.
7. Activity Apron | Fidget Aid
The Activity Aprons bright colors and different textures provide visual and tactile stimulation. Threading the shoe lace, buttoning the buttons or just stroking the soft, furry pocket offer calming and interesting entertainment, as well as improve fine motor skills. Use the plastic pocket to hold a tissue, hanky or a family picture.
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8. Weighted Body & Lap Pad | Gravity Therapy
Weighted Blankets, Pads, and Wraps are an effective and drug-free aid in helping to calm the mind and relax those living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. By wrapping the shoulders while sitting or by folding the pad to lay across the legs, weighted therapy products apply comforting pressure where it’s most beneficial. This super-soft, 100% premium cotton-fabric weighted body & lap pads are a unique product that can provide relief, comfort and can help supplement sensory disorder therapy treatments.
Heartfelt Gifts That Spark Joy
9. Playmate Pets | Animated Robotic Therapy Dogs & Cats
- Therapy pets have a remarkable effect on women (and men) in the middle and later stages of Alzheimer’s disease. They are calming, soothing and bring the person back to a time in their life when they felt useful and had a sense of purpose; when caring for a young family member was the #1 priority. Alzheimer’s pet therapy helps patients escape from a world where someone is always caring for them.
10. Memory Photo Album
Create a custom album with labeled family pictures and stories. It’s a beautiful way to encourage reminiscing.
11. Personalized Blanket
Wrap them in warmth and memories with a blanket featuring family photos or familiar patterns.
12. Newborn Comfort Therapy Dolls
Therapy dolls have a remarkable effect on women (and men) in the middle and later stages of Alzheimer’s. They are calming, soothing and bring the person back to a time in their life when they felt useful and had a sense of purpose; when caring for a young family member was the #1 priority. Alzheimer’s doll therapy helps patients and loved-ones escape from a world where someone is always caring for them.
13. Fur Fiddle Activity Hand Muff
The Fur Fiddle Muff was designed specially for those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. The realistic fur can be pet and stroked, the interior lining is soft and plush, gadgets include a Velcro collar, fiddle beads, an ID tag that can include the given pet’s name and/or the recipient’s name, a zippered pocket for personal items or tissues, silky crinkle ears, faux leather tail strips and a tethered squeeze ball.
Sensory stimulation has been shown to not only bring enjoyment and fun to people living with alzheimer’s but also to fight anxiety and depression while increasing social interaction. Sensory stimulation can also help people stay independent for longer, promote understanding and a sense of belonging as well as help people express how they are feeling.
All gadgets can be removed for cleaning or if they are not appropriate for the recipient.
14. LIFETIME LINEUP GAME
Create A Timeline: Draw from 95 historic events and 24 personalized “Your Lifetime” cards to reminisce and create the best timeline you can! It’s a fun way for kids and teens to learn about the past and a trivia challenge for adults and seniors alike.
Made For The Whole Family: In Lifetime Lineup everyone has something to do and it won’t be long before discussions, stories, and fun are flowing free! It’s a great way for grandparents, kids, teens, and families to grow closer!
Personalized Games: We include 24 custom cards to write in events from your family or group’s timeline. Create fun personal events like “The Birth of the Youngest Kid”, “The Time Dad Got Lost at the Lake”, or “Our Vacation to Niagara Falls”.
The Best Game Nights: Make your family game nights memorable. Lifetime Lineup is a perfect card game for large groups and any family party or event where you have a tabletop and some time for fun. Forget the board games and have fun getting closer to your family!
15. Custom Playlist of Golden Oldies
Fill a USB or music player with beloved songs from their past to bring moments of joy.
Engaging Activities for Mind and Body
16. Easy 35 Piece Tray Puzzles | Birds | Set of 4
A set of four 35-piece puzzles of Cardinals, Bluebirds, Blue Jays and other delightful feathered friends. These tray puzzles are durable and show the definitive outlines underneath for easy assembly and allows for the user to follow when figuring out where each piece goes. Shapes and colors of the pieces are specifically made to assist for easy and successful completion. Eco-Friendly materials and packaging.
17. Christmas Magic Painting Book
Adults and children of all ages will be amazed when they brush the beautiful black and white Christmas illustrations with water and a rainbow of vibrant colors appears from nowhere – just like magic!
Full of festive illustrations, such as a gingerbread cottage, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and Father Christmas and his reindeer, which are transformed when you carefully paint them with water. With a laminated flap to place behind each page to stop the color seeping through and ensure perfect results.
18. Gardening Kit
A small kit with lightweight tools lets them connect with nature through easy planting activities.
19. Playable ART Ball – Fidget Toy
Fidgeting with Limitless Creativity
For those with Alzheimer’s, Playable ART unleashes the creativity of the memories for skills not currently being utilized. Our fidget toy for adults uses the same type of skills used in coloring books, puzzles,and memory games. The dementia patient now has a hand fidgeting product to use during their activity time. The Alzheimer’s, dementia senior can design their own artistic display with this ingenious take on the classic stress ball. Our adult fidget toy comes in the form of a wooden ART Ball featuring twenty multi-color interconnected spheres that can be scrunched, turned and twisted, into an endless array of creative configurations. In addition to stimulating their creative energy, the Playable Art ball is used for hours in memory facilities for independent entertainment. It challenges the brain and aids in hand dexterity. These ART Balls can be easily arranged to make holders for pens, notes, cell phones, and other items around home or memory facility.
20. Holiday-Themed Decorations
Create a small, sensory-friendly tree or wreath they can help decorate, fostering a sense of involvement.
Final Thoughts
This holiday season, giving to a loved one with Alzheimer’s is about more than just presents—it’s about offering comfort, sparking joy, and nurturing connection. From practical items like adaptive clothing and memory clocks to heartfelt gifts like personalized photo albums or robotic pets, there’s something special for every stage of this journey. Thoughtful activities, like puzzles and sensory toys, can also help engage the mind and bring moments of happiness.
Above all, the greatest gift you can give is your time. Sharing simple, meaningful moments—whether decorating a small tree together or listening to a favorite song—creates memories that will matter to you both.
Consider extending the spirit of giving by supporting the fight against Alzheimer’s. A donation to organizations working to end this disease, such as Alzheimer’s Association, can honor your loved one and offer hope for future generations. Together, we can make this Christmas one filled with love, connection, and meaningful giving.
This holiday season, it’s also essential to prioritize a peaceful and safe home environment for your loved one with Alzheimer’s. Festive decorations, while joyful, can sometimes be overstimulating or pose safety risks. Keeping the home clutter-free, using familiar scents, and maintaining a calm atmosphere can help reduce anxiety and create a sense of comfort. For more tips, check out this post on creating a safe home environment.
Let’s make this season special for our loved ones. What meaningful gifts have you found or made? Share your ideas in the comments below!
