Loved ones living in an independent living community have lots of amenities at their disposal, which means they might not need many things as gifts. Just a few of the on-site amenities at LifeStream at Glendale include engaging activities, a library and a creative arts room. Many people also downsize when they move to an independent living community, so they might not have as much room for physical items. This gift guide for loved ones in independent living can give you ideas so you can get a head start on your holiday shopping.
Show your loved one you know them well by assembling a gift basket of their favorite things. Start with a practical basket that can double as storage. While the independent living accommodations at LifeStream at Glendale are spacious, the apartments might be smaller than your loved one's previous home. Giving them functional storage as part of the gift can help them make good use of their space.
Now, load it up with their favorite items. Food items are always a hit. Maybe your family member loves a certain type of gourmet coffee or chocolates, but they don't splurge very often. Add some to the gift basket so they can indulge.
You can also choose other themes for your gift basket. If you live in another area, give them a gift basket with local favorites to send a little of your world to them. If your loved one needs some pampering, put together a spa basket with home spa treatments. Think about your loved one's preferences and create a fun gift basket they can explore one item at a time.
A digital picture frame is a space-saving option that lets your loved one experience lots of different photos. The screen changes to a new photo after a certain time interval. Load up the digital frame with photos of your family and other loved ones. When the recipient opens the gift, they already have plenty of beautiful photos of happy memories they can enjoy. Show them how to add more of their own photos so they can expand on their collection.
If your loved one lives in an independent living setting, they're most likely still active and out enjoying life. A gift idea that helps support that lifestyle without adding clutter to their apartment is a membership to a local attraction. Museums work well for this option. Find a nearby museum that focuses on something of interest to your loved one. The Arizona Doll and Toy Museum is located in Glendale, but you can find many other options if you expand your search to the surrounding cities. If your loved one is a plant fan, you might get them a membership to the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. You can also buy tickets to a performance or sporting event based on what your loved one likes to do.
Independent living keeps residents busy with all the on-site activities and amenities, but it's still important to stay connected with family. Giving your loved one a tablet can help them keep in touch. Not only can they use their new tablet to video chat with you and other loved ones, but it can also help them maintain their independence. Download useful senior apps before you give the tablet to your loved one. If you give it to them in person, show them how to use the tablet and the different apps.
You can also gift them other useful technology gadgets that can make life easier and enable them to stay independent. Think about the recipient's needs, preferences and comfort level with technology. This helps you choose a device they'll feel comfortable using and will be useful to them. Examples include:
Staying active is important at all ages, including the senior years. Encourage your loved one to keep active with fitness accessories. You might gift them a fitness tracker and challenge them to see who can take more steps each day. A yoga mat gives them an option to exercise in their independent living apartment, and yoga can help reduce stress and improve balance. Consider your loved one's exercise interests and physical abilities when choosing exercise-related gifts.
Friendship lamps help you and your loved one feel connected. You each have a lamp, and when you touch your lamp, your loved one's lamp lights up in a certain color. This lets them know you're thinking of them. It can improve the feeling of connectedness across any distance and make your loved one feel less alone. While independent living communities offer many socialization opportunities, your loved one will still miss you if you can't visit often. A friendship lamp can help them feel loved and ease those feelings of loneliness.
