I currently have many relatives that are enjoying their “Golden Years,” so I am very conscientious when it comes to giving the type of gifts that a senior would appreciate.
While giving gift cards is a logical choice, some seniors have no means of transportation. And some seniors are not mobile enough to shop in stores.
After listening to some seniors about their concerns and issues, I selected these five gifts as wonderfully appropriate and ideal …
<1> EZPIK Pro 43″ Foldable Grabber Reacher Tool for Seniors
When my elderly aunt told me about her frustration with picking up dropped items like keys, reading glasses, and even pills, I knew exactly what she needed. I searched for a grabber tool that would help her.
The EZPIK Pro 43″ Foldable Grabber Reacher Tool can easily pick up items from below or above as it reaches more than 3-1/2 feet! With heavy duty, patented oversized latches and hinges, the grabber’s magnetic claw with rubber tips can lift objects up to 5 pounds. It can also be used for hard-to-reach areas when cleaning, tidying up, or even weeding the garden.
It’s ergonomic design with rotating head helps protect the back, wrists, and knees, eliminating the need to bend down. The user can comfortably pick things up off the floor or reach high shelves, and the magnetic feature is a versatile solution for retrieving dropped coins, hardware, batteries, and other metal objects. Even better, the grabbers lightweight, foldable design makes for easy storage and portability.
:: Price: $34.95 on Amazon.com – 17% savings off the regular price of $41.95
:: Color: Gold/Orange/Black
:: Full length dimensions: 43″ L
:: Folded dimensions: 12″ L
:: Weight: 11.1 oz.
:: Material: Premium aluminum alloy
<2>Magnipros 5X LED Page Magnifier with 3 Color Light Modes and 24 Fully Dimmable LEDs
One issue that was common among the seniors in my life was the effects of aging eyes on their ability to read just about anything. That’s why I set out to find a versatile magnifier that could assist with everyday tasks that involve reading.
The Magnipros 5X LED Page Magnifier with 3 Color Light Modes and 24 energy efficient, dimmable LEDs is a flat device that gets placed on the reading material. It offers a large viewing area so the user does not have to keep moving it around as you would with a standard magnifying glass. With a flick of the switch to on, this page magnifier instantly offers magnification in addition to extra lighting with 24 SMD LED lights, an anti-glare reflector, adjustable brightness, and 3 lighting modes (cold, warm, and mixed). The brightness level peaks at 1440 lumens. The LEDs are designed to last for more than 20 years without burning out or overheating. The Magnipros 5X LED Page Magnifier is ideal for reading books, newspapers, mail, magazines, and other documents.
:: Price: $21.95 on Magnipros.com
:: Available colors: Silver, Black, or Aqua
:: Measures 8″ W x 6″ H x 0.5″ D
:: Lens material: Acrylic
<3> Amazon Echo Spot
There are so many reasons that I selected the Amazon Echo Spot for seniors.
It can help keep them entertained throughout the day … be available for immediate hands-free assistance … and offer a bit of extra communication and fun companionship. Since it is a tech item, I did provide each gift recipient the help to initially set up the Smart device, but once the Wi-Fi was connected, it was ready to enjoy.
The Echo Spot is a sleek smart alarm clock with “Alexa” ready to help with her vibrant sound. The user can check the time of day, the weather, and even get song titles. It can also control Smart home devices, especially good when paired with Smart lighting and smart Thermostats, a feature most appreciated by seniors.
It’s a great addition to a bedroom nightstand, kitchen, or living room. While it’s not intended for emergency situations as a medic alert device worn around the neck, it can offer hands-free help to make phone calls if needed.
:: Price: $79.99 on Amazon.com
:: Available colors: Black, Glacier White, or Ocean Blue
:: Measures: 4.5″ W x 4.1″ D x 4.4″ H
:: Weight: 14.3 oz.
:: Sustainability: Made from 36% recycled materials
<4> Esky Key Finder Locator with Sound
Who hasn’t lost their keys? At when we age, that can happen more often. Well, the Esky Key Finder Locator with Sound not only can help the user find keys, but also help locate remote controls and other items instantly through a simple beeping sound.
The Esky Key Finder Locator provides a senior-friendly design with extra-large buttons, 80dB loud sound, built-in LED flashlight, and best of all, no app is necessary! It allows the user to locate lost keys or remote controls in dark or noisy environments as the built-in LED light flashes when activated in addition to beeping.
Here’s the best part: The range is a whopping 131 feet so you can track keys and other items whether buried in a couch or far away in other rooms through walls, doors, and furniture. With a simple press of the transmitter remote, the receivers will activate the beeping alarm.
Setting up the Esky Key Finder Locator is easy. The 4 Esky receivers can be attached to items using the included 4 keyrings and hook-and-loop stickers. On the Esky base, you affix the included adhesive labels so you can write the name of the item that each receiver will locate. The included batteries can last up to 6–12 months with regular use.
:: Price: $14.93 on Amazon.com – 25% off regular price of $19.99
:: Includes: 1 Esky transmitter, 4 Esky receivers, 4 Esky key rings, 4 hook-and-loop stickers, and blank adhesive labels.
:: Material: Acrylic
:: Batte Range: 131 feet
:: Audible Noise: 80 Decibels
:: Weight: 4.96 oz.
:: Base runs on 4 CR2 batteries (included)
<5> Keurig K-Mini Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker
Sadly, many seniors live alone so making a whole pot of coffee is too much for one person. In addition, some also have limited mobility so lifting a filled coffee or tea pot places strain on the wrist.
The Keurig K-Mini Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker allows the user to quickly make a single cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, specialty, and iced beverages. It’s easy to use and there’s no heavy lifting. Simply pop in a pod, pour one serving of water in the reservoir, and push the start button. From start to finish the whole process takes approximately one minute. It makes one cup of coffee at a time so there’s no waste.
The Keurig K-Mini single serve coffee maker offers a sleek design, measuring less than 5 inches wide and offers built-in cord storage, ideal for tiny countertops. The convenient automatic “off” feature shuts down the appliance 90 seconds after the last brew, a real energy saver. If the user prefers to not use prepared pods, the device is compatible with the universal reusable coffee filter (sold separately) to brew any type of desired ground coffee.
:: $69.99 on Target.com – $10.00 savings off regular price of $79.99
:: Available colors: Matte Black, Oasis, Studio Gray, Dusty Rose, Evergreen, or Warm Stone
:: Product Dimensions 11.3″ D x 4.5″ W x 12.1″ H
:: Weight: 2.1 lbs.
:: Material: Plastic
Selecting a Much-Appreciated Gift For Your Favorite Senior
I think the most important aspect of gift selection for the elderly is to buy a gift that is both helpful and thoughtful. In other words, you don’t want to buy something that can be taken as age insulting such as a cane or hearing aids, unless requested by the gift recipient. But items that can provide benefits to everyday life are usually much appreciated. Of course, when it comes to the seniors in your life, your “presence” will always be more important and valuable than any present.
