6/23/15/05

The best gifts are those people treasure past the moment they are unwrapped and those that are meaningful for the person receiving them. Finding that perfect gift is a loving gesture, but can often be difficult if the gift recipient is older or has significant disabilities. We had a lot of fun putting this list of gifts from A-Z together and we hope that it gives you some great gift ideas for someone you care about.

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Aprons or Meal Protectors- No one likes to feel messy when they eat. Aquatic Recreation- Sometimes people can move more easily and with less discomfort in the water. Some local sources Immanuel Medical Center 402-572-2121; Lakeside Wellness Center 402-758-5050. Bedding- Warm sheets or new blankets may be welcome. Bed Handles Secure handles to make getting in and out of bed easier. Holding onto nightstands or walkers may not be safe. Healthcraft Products www.Healthcraftproducts.com has many nice ones and we can help you find other brands as well . BenefitsHelp a person over 55 see if there are any national benefit programs they may be eligible for. Go to http://www.benefitscheckup.org run by the National Council on Aging.

Companion Services- Sometimes non-medical helpers can make living at home easier for both the person needing assistance and their family by helping with cleaning, cooking, and vital company. There are several reputable and insured companies in town. Call us for names, purchase the Eldercare Resource Handbook 402398-1848, or check it out on line www.careconsultants.com. Car equipment Getting in and out of a car can be easier with a Handi-bar or swivel seat Clothing Make dressing easier or fit better for wheelchair users. RolliModen 800-707-2395 www.rolli-moden.com among others.

Doors- make doors easier to use. Switch knobs to levers. Increase width -If they are just a little too narrow, Increase clearance by 1 without construction with swing clear hinges available from Home Access Solutions 402-291-9514 or Johnson Hardware in Omaha. Have a residential power door opener/closer/lock installed. Call us for a list of local installers. Decorating Help someone put out their holiday decorations and then take them down too!

Everyday living easier Dont let people you love struggle with everyday occupations like bathing, dressing, cooking, etc. Look at what they are trying to do and then find a helper or equipment that will help. If you want professional guidance contact your local Occupational Therapy Association or in the greater Omaha and Council Bluffs, Home Access Solutions for an in-home consultation. 402-291-9514. A national list of home modification organization is www.homemods.org . Exercise within a persons safe limits is healthy. Consider hand exercisers, peddlers for arms or legs, or DVDs or Videos with guided seated exercise.

Fall Prevention- Remove trip hazards, provide supports for dangerous areas like the bathroom and stairs, and improve lighting. Get a professional Fall Risk assessment (available from Home Access Solutions 402-2919514 and many Occupational Therapy practitioners). The Greater Omaha Chapter of the National Safety council has free info on Fall Prevention including a DVD and wonderful on line resources. www.F1RST.com Financial Sometimes, people have more resources than they are aware of. If you have a loved one that is worried about their future, help them interview some financial planners. If your gift recipient is over 62 and a homeowner and short on cash for living expenses or a big project, help them learn about reverse mortgages. Good local sources are Jody Smythe 402-536-2802 or Michael Giddon 402-599-5013 Wells Fargo Reverse Mortgages.

Gutter Cleaning, Gutter covers, and Correct Gutter drainage This is a household maintenance task that may be difficult for some home owners to do themselves, but it is one that is very important to reduce the likelihood of water related damage which is expensive to fix. Grab Bars - Almost everyone can use a grab bar to increase safety not only in the bathroom, but near the bed, favorite chair, or sofa. Grab bars come in a variety of colors and styles. Traditional grab bars should be installed by someone who knows what they are doing. Call us for information on blocking. Suction type grab bars are safe for some people for use as a balance assist and need to be used on non-porous surfaces. Other grab bars run floor to ceiling like a joist jack, only prettier!

Hair Care Treat someone to a ride and an appointment for their favorite hair care professional. If getting out of the house is difficult consider a licensed in home hair professional group, Attitudes to Go 402-592-0476 is in the Omaha area. Household Maintenance Give someone a gift certificate from you to change light bulbs on a regular basis, mow the lawn or remove snow. You can choose anything that needs to be done that they find hard to do. If you dont live in the area, Safe and Sound 402-445-4663 has a year long home maintenance package.

Ink pens that are larger in diameter and lighter with a soft grip are usually easier for people with stiff joints or less strength to use. Pen holders come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Ice Melt- Help people stock up and make a shaker for them. One easy shaker is to cut the bottom off a plastic milk jug. Put the cap on it. Turn it upside down and poke holes in a pattern on the area around the cap. Leave the handle on to make it easier to hold.

Jar Openers- You can go simple like the rubber grippers or high tech like the Black and Decker Motorized opener (if there is plenty of counter space) or any where in between. You wouldnt believe how frustrating some people find jar lids!

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Key Holders Increase the size of the gripping surface for people with trouble gripping thin keys and increase leverage to compensate for reduced strength. Kitchen gadgets that increase the size of the handle or make lifting and carrying things easier are great for people with limited hand strength. Lighting- Night lights and variable lighting may increase safety when people get up at night or in the early morning. Some changes due to aging and medical conditions make it difficult to adjust quickly to drastic changes in light levels. Task lighting will make it easier for people to enjoy reading, hobbies, and activities like cooking. Leverage - Increasing leverage for simple things such as the handle on a favorite recliner chair with a Stander lever extender, reduces the muscle power needed to operate it.

Mail supplies Give someone the ability to keep in touch with pre-stamped postcards or stationery. Magnifying glasses or sheets may help people enjoy their reading or hobbies. Be careful here, magnifiers come in different strengths and there is a right way and a wrong way to use them. Consult a low vision specialist for assistance if you are unsure. Memories- Help someone organize and store their photos and mementos. Massage This is a definite feel good treat. Someone who has never had one, may feel shy at first, but a professional will make them feel safe and comfortable right away. Make sure that the massage facility is accessible for the gift recipient.

New appliances Sometimes our appliances dont age as gracefully as we do. Washers and Dryers are a great example. If someone is washing for a smaller family than they used to, a smaller unit may work better. Consider moving laundry to the main floor or closer to bedrooms if that will work better for your gift recipient. This is a big project, but if planned well can increase safety and the value of the home. NO-Rinse hairwashing caps and body cloths. These can help clean hair and people when it is really difficult or frightening to get in the tub or shower.

Oven safety Family members often worry that a person who is forgetful or easily distracted will forget and leave items on the stove or leave the stove on. A motion detector stove monitor may add peace of mind. It turns the stove off if there is no activity in the room. Available from www.thealzheimersstore.com Microwave Oven placement - If a person is shorter than average or has difficulty lifting their arms over their head, a built in microwave over the stove can be dangerous. Place one on a counter top. Oversized socks People who have swollen feet and ankles and some folks with diabetes will be more comfortable with socks designed with wider widths. You usually need to go to a medical supply store or a provider like Home Access Solutions for something like this.

Personal Response System Give someone and their families peace of mind that emergency help can be summoned reliably if needed. Two national systems with good local representatives that we like are LifeLine http://www.lifelinesys.com local number for Immanuel Lifeline 402-829-3277 and Response Link www.responselink.com local number for Response Link of the Midlands 402-740-0650 Padding - Is the bed mattress old? Replace it. Is the bed just not comfy? Try padding either convoluted foam or memory foam are available in many department stores.

Quell Fears- A person living alone may appreciate having a security system installed.

Reading- Some people may enjoy devices or systems that read books or newspapers to them. There are many books on tape or DVDs available. Take a person to a Public Library on a regular basis. You can also help someone obtain information about the National Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped for the Free Talking Book Service 800-742-7691. A person needs to be certified eligible for the program by one of a variety of health professionals. Nebraska also has Radio Talking Book Network which is a free radio broadcast of the Omaha World Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, several regional papers and other print material being read. 1800-729-7826. A person needs to be certified eligible for the program by one of a variety of health professionals. Reachers A good quality reacher or two helps people who cant bend or reach high comfortably or safely. Respite Give a hardworking caregiver a break. You can volunteer to help yourself or you can find information to give through the Respite Resource Center in the Omaha area 402-996-8443 Resources- Care Consultants for the Aging produces a great resource book, ElderCare Resource Handbook which is full of information and resources. They are only $6.00, but invaluable to someone taking care of older loved ones. 402-398-1848 www.careconsultants.com

Safety Consider VERY Loud or flashing smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and door knock signalers for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Harris Communications Voice 800-825-6758, TTY 800825-9187 www.harriscomm.com. You can also buy and install these safety devices and provide a gift certificate to check and change the battery on a regular basis for someone you love. Help someone create and practice a safety plan so theyll be prepared in an emergency and youll know where to find them. Put together an emergency kit to be used in case the power goes out. Storage - Buy or install some extra shelving within the gift recipients reach, help them organize their things with the most frequently used items in easy reach, or hire a professional organizer. Soap on a rope - It is not safe for some people to bend over in the tub to get the soap theyve dropped. You can make your own soap on a rope by cutting off one leg of a pair of pantyhose and dropping your favorite bar of soap into the toe. The stocking can be tied to the soap dish in the tub or shower or to a bath seat.

Tickets to events- Dont forget to add in the ride if the person is uncomfortable or unsafe driving or driving at night. If the budget is tight, consider events such as school programs. Toilet aids Toilet related gifts such a risers, toilet vators, or safety rails arent glamorous, but they can really make a huge difference in a persons life and are really very thoughtful in some cases. Talking watches and clocks can help a person who doesnt see well. Harris Communications Voice 800-825-6758, TTY 800-825-9187 www.harriscomm.com is one source.

Under the toilet riser such as the Toilevator A higher toilet is easier to sit and rise from and this kit is a spacer between the toilet and the floor so people get to sit on their own comfortable toilet seat with no extra toilet riser cleaning to do. Up-lift seats fit on top of regular chairs and assist people with sitting and standing if their legs are weak. (They do need to be able to stand by themselves it is just an assist. Urinals - Again, not so glamorous, but if someone is thinking about it, it would be nice to know that there are spill-proof models and designs for both women and men. Utensils built up handles on forks and spoons can make it easier for people with arthritis to eat and there are knives designed for use with one hand.

Vests with pockets for people who use walkers or who sit in wheelchairs and need places to put personal items during the day. Vision aids and accurate information about vision are useful to people with low vision. You can check out sources of special equipment such as www.thelowvisionstore.com or help someone with information from the excellent web site www.lighthouse.org If you have a friend or relative who hasnt had a professional eye exam in years, provide a ride or pay for the exam if necessary.

Warm Clothes- Gloves, hats, and warm coats are often welcome. Mittens may be easier for people who have stiff hands to put on and off. People who use wheelchairs may find it easier to use capes and lap warmers. Warm Homes -A safe, non-tip, non-flammable heater may be a good gift for some. Helping insulate or weatherproof someones home may be a gift that will be appreciated all year long. Wheelchair and walker accessories such as baskets, new tips, cup holders. A thorough wheelchair cleaning is something you can make a personal gift certificate for.

Xanadu - Pronunciation: 'za-na-"d, -"dy An idyllic, exotic, or luxurious place Etymology: Xanadu, locality in Kubla Khan (1798), poem by Samuel T. Coleridge (from the Merriam-Webster dictionary) If you believe that home should be a place of safety and convenience and that Independence truly does begin at home, then anything you do to make a gift recipients home a safer, easier, happier place to live will be a wonderful, thoughtful, appreciated gift. Wouldnt we all love to live in Xanadu!

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Yourself A lot of these gift ideas involve creating a gift certificate for things you will do yourself. Spending time with and for someone is often the greatest and most appreciated thing you can do. Zones Creating zones within the home is a useful technique for caregivers of people with dementia. Safe zones are the parts of the house that are designed to allow a person with dementia to move around freely and safely. Private zones are areas where the caregiver can relax and have a respite or a break from the job of caregiving. Secure zones are places that might be unsafe or confusing for the person with dementia, which the person is not allowed to enter. You can find useful information and products to make living easier for and with a person with dementia at www.thealzheimersstore.com If you would like professional assistance with modifications or setting up zones, consider a consultation with Home Access Solutions Zipper pulls - These are rings or loops attached through the hole of a zipper than are easier to grab than the zipper itself. You can make great ones with fishing line.

We hope you found this list helpful and thought provoking. If it helps you think of, or create a great gift for someone that will make them happy and make living easier, we have done our job. We include resources as a courtesy. Home Access Solutions sells some but not all of the products mentioned. We like the places that we provide information about, but we are not responsible for any services or products that you receive from them and we do not receive any reimbursement if you choose to use them. Please let us know if you have other great ideas to add to our list for next year!

The management and staff of Home Access Solutions.

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