What do you get for an 85 year old dad who basically sits in a chair all day?
By snowy
@snowy22315 (180934)
United States
June 8, 2022 2:57pm CST
I would like to get something he would really appreciate. Of course my dad has dementia and is kind of wonky in terms of his thoughts. They do really like the Alexa that I bought for Christmas one year, and use that often. He used to like the Johnny Cash CD set I bought a few years ago, but like I said, he pretty much hangs out in the chair all day. We have gotten him a lot of food items in the past few years. Maybe something like a digital photo frame?? I don't have a huge budget..I was thinking maybe white socks. Any ideas?
13 people like this
13 responses
@Plethos (13581)
• United States
8 Jun 22
as mentioned already, a seat cushion was the first thing i thought of them maybe a cushion for the back. only other things i can think of are hand held electronic games like poker, yahtzee, or a rubiks cube. a tray on wheels so he can do puzzles or coloring books. or maybe binoculars so he can see things that are farther away. hopefully one of my dumb suggestions led you to a solution.
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@snowy22315 (180934)
• United States
8 Jun 22
Those aren't bad suggestions at all. He is pretty good at poker still actually.
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@snowy22315 (180934)
• United States
9 Jun 22
@Plethos Yeah, actually gonna get the poker thing. Thanks for the suggestion. Hopefully, he will like it, if not, my mother might play it or visitors might enjoy it as well.
1 person likes this
@Plethos (13581)
• United States
8 Jun 22
@snowy22315 - i used to have a poker and tetris hand held . i wore out the pads on the tetris and the screen on my poker unit started to fade. i had both for close to 20 years, bought them on the same day.
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@snowy22315 (180934)
• United States
9 Jun 22
He likes chocolate covered peanuts. We gave him some for Christmas.
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@snowy22315 (180934)
• United States
9 Jun 22
@RubyHawk He has dementia so not really..maybe looks at the newspaper that's about it.
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@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
9 Jun 22
@snowy22315 I’m terrible trying to think of gifts that people will like. Does he read? I like books as gifts.
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@hora_fugit (5862)
• India
9 Jun 22
Something made of soft wool he can snug in...
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@snowy22315 (180934)
• United States
9 Jun 22
He watches TV all day long mostly old movies..I want to give him something else.
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@snowy22315 (180934)
• United States
9 Jun 22
@rebelann Maybe on TCM. I don't think he watches movies that are that old. He probably wasn't even born when some of those were made.
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@RebeccasFarm (89873)
• Arvada, Colorado
9 Jun 22
Some fruit and nuts and a good movie or two?
Even a plant he could look at.
I remember my poor Mom RIP I got her an angel ornament that she kept on her table by the chair where she sat all day..she loved that.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35625)
•
8 Jun 22
I had a similar issue with my dad. By that time in his life (my dad lived to 98) it's hard to think of something he wants or needs as a gift. Finally, I just decided to buy him wool socks and sweatpants to lounge in to stay warm in winter. Older people get cold easily due to less circulation of blood. Favorite foods like a package of nuts was something else I got him. Seems sitting/TV and eating becomes the only activities left for elderly people to enjoy at a certain point.
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@dgobucks226 (35625)
•
11 Jun 22
@snowy22315 Ok. I'm sure whatever he gets it's the thought that counts. 
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@snowy22315 (180934)
• United States
11 Jun 22
@dgobucks226 Yeah, even better if he likes it and will use it though.
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@GardenGerty (160717)
• United States
9 Jun 22
Look for or have made something called a fidget blanket or a fidget sleeve. Basically small items sewn onto a blanket for him to look at and touch and manipulate. Or a really nice throw sized blanket to have in his chair. Some things that smell nice. I like the idea of a plant, as long as he is not to the point he would try to eat it. Maybe a sun catcher to hang in a window. Basically sensory items.
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@snowy22315 (180934)
• United States
9 Jun 22
He has a fidget spinner. I don't think he uses it that much. Maybe the blanket in the chair is a nice idea to have for the winter.
@m_audrey6788 (58472)
• Germany
9 Jun 22
I also can`t think of anything but I love giving fruits to old people
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@snowy22315 (180934)
• United States
9 Jun 22
@m_audrey6788 I think they liked it. The box has lots of compartments they can use to put things in when they are done with the fruit.
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@snowy22315 (180934)
• United States
9 Jun 22
I sent a fruit and nut assortment up there for Mother's Day.
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@kaylachan (69973)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Jun 22
A chair cousin, maybe. If he's on his bumm all day he might need something that provides more support. I can kind of relate, because I'm in a chair when I choose to work at my desk and I'm also in a chair when I go out. A cousin has really made the difference in terms off of comfort.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (180934)
• United States
9 Jun 22
I was thinking of some thick white socks, but honestly, he doesn't even get dressed that often. He has quite a bit of clothing.
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
8 Jun 22
My Dad just turned 85 and he loves to read. He appreciates books. Maybe a book for your gift?
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (180934)
• United States
8 Jun 22
Well like I said, he has dementia. Other than the paper, he doesn't do much reading. I don't think he could concentrate on a book. I think I am going to go with the handheld poker game someone suggested. He needs to keep his hands busy.
1 person likes this
