Ideal Christmas gift suggestions for relatives and loved ones living with dementia

However, there are lots of wonderful gifts available that will bring joy and delight to them this Christmas.

Here are Brendoncare’s top ten suggestions.

• Digital photo frame. This you can fill with precious photographs of your loved one’s family so that they can enjoy them throughout the day and night. You can then update the photographs as family members grow up.
• Bird bath or bird feeder. If your loved one lives in a house or has a room overlooking a garden, a bird bath provides a fascinating focal point to watch feathered friends stop for a drink or a bath.
• Jigsaw puzzle. Look for a puzzle designed for reminiscence therapy that can be completed together and provide plenty of memories to talk about.
• Music and radio players. Music stimulates many happy memories so find a player on which you can preset favourite radio stations and music from a playlist.
• Memory Box. These are ideal for people in the later stages of dementia and ones you can fill with personal items that can stimulate conversation and activities to enjoy together. You can put in picture cards and photographs, or something relating to a hobby or places they enjoyed.
• Food hamper. Fill a hamper with some of your loved one’s favourite Christmas treats such as mince pies, biscuits, cakes, and savoury snacks.
• Colouring book, pencils, or paints. This is a lovely gift through which your loved one can express themselves and one you can enjoy with them.
• Twiddle muff or fidget blanket. Again, these are suitable gifts for people in the later stages of dementia. You can buy the muff or blanket – or you can make one. Here is the link to a twiddle muff pattern which includes securely fixed buttons and ribbons. They provide a calming sensory experience and a sense of comfort.
• Cat or dog companions. Robotic dogs and cats can bring back happy memories of their pets. They provide friendship and are very tactile so that your loved one can stroke and cuddle them. They also make authentic noises which offer reassurance.
• Activity Busy Board. This works the same principle as twiddle muffs but have moving parts such as cogs, a door latch and keyhole with key and curtain rings. These boards are ideal of promoting hand/eye coordination and motor skills.

For more ideas, Alzheimer’s Society offers many other gift suggestions on its website.