Holiday gift ideas for nursing home residents

At Hillcrest Healthcare, we love the holidays as we extend our compassionate care with a big side of holiday cheer to our residents.

If you have a family member or loved one who is a nursing home resident, or if you’re thinking about service activities for your family or organization, you may be wondering what gifts are in high demand.

We talked to Susan Smith, the activities director at our Beverly Park Place community, and she shared some of the top items that are needed, requested and enjoyed by residents.

“Our team works hard to keep residents engaged by providing multiple activities,” Susan said. “During any holiday, we tie activities to that holiday, and we go all out at Christmastime! Our residents especially love things that provide entertainment, but they truly appreciate the time, effort and thoughtfulness that comes with any gift.”

The residents in her community enjoy:

  • Gospel CDs
  • Radios
  • Headphones
  • Large print Bibles
  • Word find/word search puzzles
  • Magazines
  • Coloring books
  • Colored pencils
  • Pens
  • Crayons
  • Lotion
  • Non-skid socks

If you’re shopping for nursing home residents, keep in mind their mobility limitations and think about the space they have available to store or display new items. A small rolling cart may be another good gift idea that provides storage that also can easily be moved and tucked away.

Other ideas are colorful and soft blankets or wearable blankets, and framed photos or digital photo frames, since the digital versions can showcase many images in one frame.

Of course, the best gift you can give someone in a nursing home is you! Your time to connect with them either virtually or in person means so much and is truly a special gesture. If you, your family or organization would like to donate some items to one of Hillcrest Healthcare’s three Knoxville communities this holiday season, please contact Diana Fisher at [email protected] or 865-399-5659.