She brought you into the world and she has spent her life caring for you. What can you do to show that you care and make Mother’s Day special for your senior Mom? Traditional gifts might be just what she likes, however, Bala Cynwyd senior home care agency Neighborly Home Care offers a few non-traditional ideas as well as some updates to traditional gift ideas.
Reading Devices
For moms who love to read, who may have once loved to browse the bookstores, times have changed. Fewer brick and mortar bookstores are available and it may be harder for your senior parent to make the trip.
Consider a Kindle or other reading device, and then spend time setting it up together so your mom can work it herself. With a reading device and an Amazon card, a whole new world of stories opens up. For senior moms on a limited income, the ability to have their own “spending money” to use for books is a great gift. An added perk: many libraries now loan e-books for free!
Video or Computer Games
Experts agree that keeping senior minds active is instrumental in fighting off dementia and many are recommending video or computer games. These games have been shown to improve cognitive abilities and could also help ease boredom or stress. Therefore, a game system or software for your senior loved ones’ computer would be a thoughtful way to show you care about their home enjoyment.
Some senior moms care more about time with their children than anything that you could buy, so think about the types of activities they enjoy and can still physically take part in.
Gardening
If your mom likes gardening, you could choose some of her favorite flowers and spend a few hours helping her plant them. Gardening is a great activity because it gets people outside. If your senior mom loves having a flower garden but is no longer able to perform the tasks required to maintain one, provide a garden bench or even a camp chair and plant the garden for her while enjoying time talking together.
Special Meal
If your mom has a favorite restaurant, plan to take her out to lunch on her special day. If she would rather stay in, you can bring carryout, or you can plan to cook together. Even better, if other siblings live close enough, you could make it a family gathering with grandkids and potluck or barbecue.
Pampering
With arthritis and other conditions that advance with age, seniors often are unable to take care of themselves as they once could and on limited incomes, the expense of visiting is too much. A deluxe manicure or pedicure usually includes a hand or foot massage. A gift card or a visit together to a salon can take care of hygiene and leave Mom feeling good about herself as well as possibly relieve pain she has been experiencing in her joints.
Whatever you decide to do, whether you purchase an expensive item or give the gift of time, your senior loved one will appreciate the time and care you invested in trying to please them.
When you are providing senior care to a loved one, one gift that you can give to him/her as well as yourself, is your healthy presence. The requirements placed upon caregivers can be overwhelming at times and they may need respite. Senior Home care agencies provide professional assistance that allows senior loved ones to remain in their homes or in the homes of loved ones. If you need help with senior care in the Bala Cynwyd or Ardmore areas, contact Neighborly Home Care today to learn about the services we offer.
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Neighborly Home Care is a leading provider of in home senior care in Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd and the surrounding area. Our caregivers are all certified nursing assistants, or they have received equivalent training and passed a nurse aid skills assessment test.