20+ Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Nursing Home Residents ~ that we’ve given and they LOVED!

Our list features the best finds we’ve given her over the years. We’ve got ideas that fill multiple rolls:

• helpful,
• entertaining,
• decorative,
• memory aids, and
• connections to family.

1 Big Button TV Remote

• Finding a remote that both simplifies things by reducing button clutter and makes those buttons larger and easy to read was a huge plus.
• Many of the TV’s we’ve come across in resident rooms feature standard remotes with too many buttons that are too small.
• This one is great: Big Button TV Remote

2. Large Display Clock and Calendar

• This was a big help for a family member with dementia who frequently lost track of days, meal times, etc. These clocks have big, visible time display and can be adjusted to display things like morning, daytime, nighttime, month and day of the week as the most prominent feature. Add in the option to program reminders for things like medicines or meals and you cover a lot of support bases.
• Find it here: Large Display Clock and Calendar

3. Large Button Phone with photo keypad

• Similar to the TV remote, many phones are over-featured and make use difficult for residents. Get the buttons down to the basics and- better still – have dedicated speed-dial ones with family member photos on them
• This one gets great reviews: Large Button Phone with photo keypad

4. Robotic Companion Pets:

• Robin’s mom LOVES this one! So far there are three options: Dog, Cat, Bird. She has the cat, and we’re planning to get her the bird next.
• We likely never would have thought of this until a family member ended up with a hand-me-down robotic cat from another resident. It was a hit!
• The lifelike movements and active engagement of the companion pet helped a lifelong cat owner feel connected when they were no longer able to own a ‘real’ cat. Our experience has been the batteries last a long time and well made enough to handle some drops.
• Options include lap sized Dog and Cat. And also a Bird that attaches to their walker or wheelchair!

5. WIFI Photo Frame

• If your family member is in a nursing home that offers a WIFI network, a frame like this can allow you (or other family members who can’t visit regularly), to send regular photo updates to them.
• If they don’t have WIFI, photos can be uploaded easily by visitors.
• Being able to see family pictures of grandchildren as they grow is a nice gift to give anyone, but especially those who are care residents.
• This one is great: WIFI Photo Frame

6. Canvas Prints of Favourite Photos

• This has been a favourite and because they are lighter than framed photos, they can easily hang on the wall with 3M Command strips and won’t get knocked over or take up room on limited table space.
• You can order prints lots of places, this link will give you 30% off until March 20th, 2026.

7. Large Print Books

• Many nursing homes we’ve seen have a resident library, but giving your family member books by their favourite author or in their preferred genre is great.
• They can often be found in bundles or lots on Facebook market or from your local library. Robin found a lot of 20 Danielle Steele’s for $20 (Her mom’s favourite author – we dropped one off whenever she needed a pick me up.)
• Added bonus – when your family member is done with them, they can go to the home’s library for others to enjoy.
• You can find a huge selection of large print books at this link.

8. Ereader

• If your family member is reasonable tech savvy, an ereader can be a great gift!. The font size is adjustable and you can send them more books as they finish them.
• Plus, you can gift them ebooks in the future.
• Or a membership to Kindle unlimited so they can choose as many books as they’d like!

9. Adult Colouring Books

• Similar to large print and puzzple books, there is a good chance the nursing home may have some of these on hand. Your family member would still appreciate their own copy, especially if there is a theme they really enjoy.
• Flowers, animals or landscapes are all popular – don’t forget pencil crayons (the twistable style means you don’t have to sharpen them).

10. Jigsaw puzzles

• Always a classic and great as an activity that your family member can do with others – yourself, grandchildren or other residents. Sometimes having new things to talk about all the time can be challenging, but working on a puzzle together can make a visit seem connected and meaningful for everyone.
• Here’s a big selection of Jigsaw puzzles.

11. Collection of Greeting Cards to Give Others

• Just because your family member is in a nursing home doesn’t mean they won’t want to stay in touch with friends and family. Or they may just want to say thanks or wish a happy birthday to a member of the home staff they have a bond with.
• Giving a bundle of assorted cards is a way of giving independence to your family member, which can be very nice when they often feel like they are losing this freedom in other ways.
• Include some stamps and pens too. You can even pre-address them if needed.
• This box of 100 lovely greeting cards is so affordable!

12. Blankets in Favourite Colours

• Nursing home residents can never have enough blankets or wraps. Check the labeling requirements for the home your family member is in to make sure the blanket won’t get misplaced in the wash.
• Robin has knit a few of these simple blankets to give as gifts.

13. Button Up Sweaters

• Similar to blankets, having sweaters for colder days or sitting outside in shared spaces can be help your family member be warm and comfortable.
• Button up sweaters are best for their helpers to dress them with ease.

14. Non Slip Velcro Slippers

• Another great support item. Everyone likes toasty warm feet and secure slippers that prevent falls are an absolute must. Check with the nursing home if you need specific recommendations.
• Here’s a great selection of well-reviewed Non Slip Velcro Slippers.

15. Faux Flowers and Faux Plants

• Maybe your family member in the nursing home loved looking after houseplants or flowers and can’t anymore. Even if that isn’t the case, all people like to be in spaces with green plants – there’s just something about them that help create a calm, peaceful decor.
• Real plants and flowers are gorgeous, of course, but maintaining them can be difficult for some seniors and especially the staff.

16. Children’s Art Projects

• One of the best gifts you can give a family member in a nursing home is meaningful time spent with their grandchildren. We’ve found that projects kids can do and then leave on display at the home are the BEST!
• The elderly family member gets the joy of watching the kids work (and the kids are often more chatty and relaxed while working) AND the staff and other residents can comment on the art or gift after you’ve left.
• If you’ve got older kids or teens? LEGO models or flowers are fun projects to do and leave at the nursing home too!

17. Magnifying Glass Necklace

• Reading glasses are easily misplaced or forgotten. Having this on hand, especially with dedicated task lighting, will make many of the above gifts, as well as day to day life, more accessible.
• Either with a rigid, hands-free frame or just a traditional necklace to keep at easy reach.

19. Eyeglass tethers

• If they prefer dedicated reading glasses, a good chain or tether can help keep them on hand and avoid loss or breakage.

20. Subscriptions

• There are so, so many subscription services out there. Sure, magazines are a classic, but if your family member likes ties, scarves, fun socks or virtually anything else, you can probably get them delivered monthly and stretch the giving out all year.
• Check with the home first and make sure if you are choosing food options, they aren’t going to conflict with the nursing home dietary restrictions.
• A gift subscription to Audible could be good for some seniors. Audiobooks can be so engaging and great for people with vision challenges. (Though you can download many audiobooks for free from your library, of course.)

21. Custom Calendar with Family Photos or Grandchildren’s Art

• This definitely requires pre-planning to choose the photos and upload them to a professional printing site, but the payoff is a full year of personalized, family memories in a useful wall calendar. If you’ve got tech skills, there are templates to do your own too.
• Don’t have a lot of time or money? We found this two sided photo snowglobe was a treasured gift you can continually update with new photos too!

22. Word Search or Sudoku Books or Crossword Puzzles

• If your family member enjoys puzzles, this is an easy call, but even if they have their favourite type, consider getting them a book with a variety of options. They may find a new passion or be able to pass the book along to a roommate or friend who likes the puzzles they don’t. Good for brain and memory stimulation and social interaction!
• This one is huge!

24. A decadent treat like a beautiful cupcake (as per diet)

• Robin’s mom loves getting a special dessert – it’s a simple gift with such a bang for your buck.
• The meals in nursing homes are nutritious and have treats/desserts often as part of them, but who doesn’t like something a little extra!?
• Be sure and check with staff ahead of time just in case there are new dietary concerns or restrictions before you hit up a fancy bakery or chocolate shop!