These days, more and more independent older parents live in their homes. They opt for living in a familiar environment to save money and reduce stress. But, if the house doesn't have the necessary home safety products, it may be dangerous for them. This post shares how to decide if your parents need these safety items and gift ideas for older parents.
First, let's decide if your parents need these items.
Jump to:
- Deciding If Your Parents Need Accessibility Products
- Practical Gift Ideas for Older Parents
- Doorknob extenders or Doorknob Silicone covers:
- Key holders
- Wrist/Ankle Weights:
- Grabber tool:
- Anti-slip Safety Strips and Shower Bars:
- Grips to help open jars and other stuff:
- Lighting in the dark areas of the home:
- Slippers or Socks that Have Grip.
- Walking Canes
- Silverware and Cups that are Easy to Grip
- Large Print Calendars gift ideas for older parents
- An Electronic Picture Frame with the Grandkids Pictures.
NOTE: the links on this post are affiliate links, and if you choose to purchase a product by clicking through to my affiliate, I will receive a small referral fee at no additional cost to you.
Deciding If Your Parents Need Accessibility Products
While not all parents will talk to you about what they need in their home, it would help them feel better and more secure if they had some of these items. But how do you figure out what they need? Here are tips on how to determine if these accessibility products are necessary.
- Listen for the signs from your parents: If a parent complains about particular tasks or doesn't want to do a job, ask them why they don't want to do it. It could be that something bothers them about doing this task. Make a note and do some research. I found several sites online that market directly to older people and their children to help them feel more independent. There are also medical supply stores that carry these items. When my dad was sick, I visited one near me, and they had some great products to help him feel more independent.
- Walk around the house with them and ask them if particular tasks (e.g., shower, restroom, cooking, etc.) bother them. They may not think it is an issue until you notice it.
- Watch how your parents are feeling. Are they getting frustrated when they do things? Do they ask you to do things because it is too difficult for them to do?
Be sure to make them aware that you are only asking to make them feel more comfortable, not to say they can't do it how they have been. These tips keep your parents in control of their home and allow them to make it even better for themselves.
Now that you have determined that you will need a few of these items in your parents' home, here are six gift ideas to help them feel more independent.
Practical Gift Ideas for Older Parents
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon (Affiliate Link) and at no additional cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase.
Doorknob extenders or Doorknob Silicone covers:
These are affordable for your parents who have regular handles in their home. They help them open the door more easily. Round handles are difficult to use, especially if they have arthritis.
Use these on the doorknobs that are often closed, such as the front and back door, basement door, bedroom door, etc... You can click on the image below and buy it on Amazon (Affiliate Link).com (affiliate).
Doorknob (Affiliate Link) extenders
DoorKnob Extender, Tan (Pack of 2)
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Doorknob (Affiliate Link) Silicone covers
Doorknob - Silicone Grips Nonslip 4 pk
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Disclosure: at no additional cost to you, if you click through and buy something on Amazon (Affiliate Link), I will receive a small referral fee. Thank you for supporting my small business.
Key holders
Some older people may have issues holding keys, so finding them a gift to help them maneuver the key (Affiliate Link) into the keyhole is a great option. This gift will help them make these small tasks more manageable and less frustrating. Getting a necklace to hold their keys also helps them not lose them in their purse. The links below are from Amazon (Affiliate Link)(affiliate).
Lanyard (Affiliate Link) Keyholder
Lanyard Key Chain Holder for Men and Women
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Key (Affiliate Link) holder grips
Key Holder in Red Wide Oversized Handle
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Buy Now → (Affiliate Link)
Disclosure: at no additional cost to you, if you click through and buy something on Amazon (Affiliate Link), I will receive a small referral fee. Thank you for supporting my small business.
Wrist/Ankle Weights:
When your parent sits a lot, they may be losing muscle mass. This item helps if your parent is weak and sits often. They can sit and use them, and it will help them feel stronger. There are different weights. Start off light. Pick ones that are 1 lb each. I would start with lighter weights for beginners. The links below are from Amazon (Affiliate Link)(affiliate).
Wrist weights (Affiliate Link) gift ideas
Weights Wrist, Set of 2, 1 LB Each
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Ankle weights (Affiliate Link) gift ideas
Ankle Wrist - adjustable Arm Leg Weights, 2.5 lbs each
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Disclosure: at no additional cost to you, if you click through and buy something on Amazon (Affiliate Link), I will receive a small referral fee. Thank you for supporting my small business.
Grabber tool:
Ideally, it would be awesome to have everything within arms reach, but that doesn't happen most of the time. This is great for helping your parent in the kitchen and closets/garages. It will give them the independence to do things independently instead of waiting for you to come and get something down for them. The short grabber (Affiliate Link) is great for people who just don't have the strength in their hands or wrists any longer. The grabber extender (Affiliate Link) is great for people who can't stand on ladders anymore.
Short Grabber (Affiliate Link)
Grabber Tool with Articulating Rubber Head 19 inches
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Grabber extender (Affiliate Link)
Grabber Reacher Tool for Seniors 2 pk 43" Foldable
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Disclosure: at no additional cost to you, if you click through and buy something on Amazon (Affiliate Link), I will receive a small referral fee. Thank you for supporting my small business.
Anti-slip Safety Strips and Shower Bars:
These products below are ideal for older tubs or showers that don't have them or are worn. You can add them directly to the bathtub to help a parent feel more confident. Be sure to install them properly. Some shower bars need to be mounted with secure fasteners before use.
Anti-Slip Safety Strips (Affiliate Link)
Anti Slip Tape Strips- adhesive. Grip Tape Treads.
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Shower Grab Bars (Affiliate Link)
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Disclosure: at no additional cost to you, if you click through and buy something on Amazon (Affiliate Link), I will receive a small referral fee. Thank you for supporting my small business.
Grips to help open jars and other stuff:
I have these in my kitchen, and they work great. I primarily use the red rubber jar grip because it helps with opening jars. With a little turn, it pops the lid and opens up quickly.
Jar opener (Affiliate Link)
Jar Opener, 5 in 1 Multi Function Can Opener Bottle Opener Kit
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Rubber grips (Affiliate Link)
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Disclosure: at no additional cost to you, if you click through and buy something on Amazon (Affiliate Link), I will receive a small referral fee. Thank you for supporting my small business.
Lighting in the dark areas of the home:
As one age, their eyesight may go, so keeping the areas they visit well-lit is essential. Some places that need more light are the stairs, walk-in closets, the basement, laundry rooms, and driveways. Here are some products you can get to lighten up these areas from Amazon (Affiliate Link) (affiliate links).
Rechargeable motion sensor lights (Affiliate Link)
Motion Sensor Lights, Rechargeable
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Motion sensor lights for steps (Affiliate Link)
Motion Sensor Light for steps pk of 6
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Disclosure: at no additional cost to you, if you click through and buy something on Amazon (Affiliate Link), I will receive a small referral fee. Thank you for supporting my small business.
Slippers or Socks that Have Grip.
Picking the right slippers will help your grandparent stay safe (Affiliate Link) when they are in their home. Find ones that have a grip bottom and can strip tightly. Make sure to pick the right size before buying them. And give them a receipt, so if it doesn't fit, they can exchange it for a different size.
Grip Socks (Affiliate Link)
Buy Now → (Affiliate Link)
Slip-on grip slippers with arch support (Affiliate Link)
Slippers with Comfy Arch Support
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Disclosure: at no additional cost to you, if you click through and buy something on Amazon (Affiliate Link), I will receive a small referral fee. Thank you for supporting my small business.
Walking Canes
Sturdy walking canes (Affiliate Link) are another option you can give as a gift to help your parent feel more secure while moving around. Getting them one for each floor and leaving it at the bottom and/or top of the steps may help them use them more regularly. Only do this if they have enough room on the landings, or it could be a tripping hazard.
Stand-alone versions are the best. They do not take up much room and can easily be placed against the wall, so they are not in the way until needed.
Sturdy Walking Canes (Affiliate Link)
Walking Cane by RMS Quad- Adjustable Walking Cane with 4-Pronged Base for Extra Stability
Buy Now →(Affiliate Link)
Silverware and Cups that are Easy to Grip
If your older parent or your grandparent has issues gripping things like cups and silverware, you can try giving them some specially designed silverware for them. Here are some I found on Amazon (Affiliate Link) (affiliate).
Large silverware for arthritis hands (Affiliate Link)
Large Silverware - Arthritis Aid
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Handle cups and mugs for arthritis hands (Affiliate Link)
Buy Now → (Affiliate Link)
Disclosure: at no additional cost to you, if you click through and buy something on Amazon (Affiliate Link), I will receive a small referral fee. Thank you for supporting my small business.
Large Print Calendars gift ideas for older parents
Usually, older persons have a lot of appointments, so why not help them keep those appointments by getting a calendar with a large print on it? I found these on Amazon (Affiliate Link).
Large font wall calendars (Affiliate Link)
Large Font Monthly Square Wall Calendar
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Large font planners (Affiliate Link)
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Disclosure: at no additional cost to you, if you click through and buy something on Amazon (Affiliate Link), I will receive a small referral fee. Thank you for supporting my small business.
To help them feel at home, it's great to give them something to remember family members, especially the grandkids. Below, we are sharing some of the additional gifts you can give to your parents from the kids.
An Electronic Picture Frame with the Grandkids Pictures.
These picture frames are great for a safe (Affiliate Link) space in the grandparents' home. It beats having lots and lots of picture frames cluttering up the surfaces. You can even mount some of these on the wall to keep surfaces clean.
Digital Picture Frames (Affiliate Link)
Digital Picture Frame Aura Carver 10.1" WiFi
Buy Now →(Affiliate Link)
Disclosure: at no additional cost to you, if you click through and buy something on Amazon (Affiliate Link), I will receive a small referral fee. Thank you for supporting my small business.
I hope this post helps you buy gift ideas for the older parents in your life. If you want more information or to read about my "Helping your parents" series, please click below.
Downsizing Posts To Help You and Your Parents
Visit the CDC's Booklet on Elderly Home Safety for more information.
Check out this link from AARP for a complete list of Home Fixes by season. It is comprehensive and helpful to see what hazards are in each room of a person's home.
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon (Affiliate Link), and at no additional cost, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.
Feel free to visit our other gift ideas!
Robert Parker says
I've been delighted to read your site since the launch.
Susan says
These are wonderful tips and ideas. I've recently had to deal with some of these challenges with my parents. It's not easy, but being proactive is the key.
Sabrina Quairoli says
I agree! They feel better when they can handle living alone. Foster their independence with items to assist not items that are a reminder they are getting older. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. =)
Susan cooper says
These are fabulous ideas for buying for the elderly. it's always so hard because they seem to have everything. These items should be very useful for them.