10 Father’s Day Gifts for Dementia Patients

This is a simple but practical gift for dads with dementia. Sweat suits are comfortable and easy to put on, and they’re perfect for doing something active or relaxing indoors. If your dad struggles to get dressed in the morning, an adaptive sweat suit may make it easier for him.

Adaptive clothing has special design features for people with disabilities such as Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. For example, a magnetic zipper hoodie is perfect for seniors with decreased dexterity due to dementia.

Board games and puzzles are an excellent activity for creating social connections in a memory care environment. Look into dementia-friendly board games and puzzles to find options that aren’t too difficult for your dad. Plus, games like bingo, checkers, and I Spy can keep your dad’s mind active while helping him socialize with you and others.

Read more:5 Best Puzzles for Dementia Patients

Photos of friends and family are a lovely Father’s Day gift for dads with dementia. They can remind your dad of the people that love him. Over time, he might have more trouble connecting an image to a memory of the person it represents. In this case, consider gifting him a talking photo album. These allow you to record a message for each image, so you and other family members can record reminders of who you are and how much you care about him.

While it may be tough finding space for all of your father’s photos in his memory care community, this is resolved by gifting your dad a digital picture frame. The frame will rotate his uploaded photos, giving him hundreds of photos in one convenient location.

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Nature documentaries are excellent for memory care entertainment because they don’t require seniors to focus on complicated plots. Your dad won’t have to remember countless details and can instead focus on simply discovering different animals and places. You can use streaming services or your local library to find a documentary set in a place your father has visited, such as a national park.

If your dad is in the advanced stages of dementia, fidget sleeves may be useful and calming for him. Sometimes called sensory or cannula sleeves, fidget sleeves are arm cuffs that seniors can use to reduce restlessness and agitation. Give your gift a special touch by making your own with this knitting pattern, which allows you to customize your dad’s fidget sleeve with his favorite colors or patterns.

Music therapy improves understanding, mood, behavior, and communication for seniors with dementia.^[01] The Simple Music Player is designed specifically for people with dementia. Load it with music you know dad likes, and all he has to do is lift the handle that says “Lift to Play Music” to hear his favorite songs.

You can also give your dad the gift of music through radio headphones. These wireless over-the-ear headphones are noise-cancelling and have a long battery life. They can also be programmed to remember up to 10 channels (AM or FM), making it easier for your dad to find his favorite stations.

Ideally, your dad’s memory care residence encourages him to get outside during the day. But if it isn’t a habit, you can still help him get some of the benefits of sunlight in his room. A quality seasonal affective disorder (SAD) lamp can help improve your dad’s mood and help reset his internal clock — potentially helping reduce the effects of sundown syndrome.

If your dad lives in a memory care community and enjoys gardening and caring for plants, a grow light can be another great gift. It can enhance the ambience of his room, as well as help your dad maintain an indoor garden with his favorite plants. Grow lights also typically have built-in timers, so your dad won’t have to remember when to turn it on and off every day.

A cellphone with a camera allows your dad to connect with his loved ones, capture memories, and stay safe during emergencies. The two most popular options available today are flip phones, which have fewer functions, and smartphones, which offer updated features like video calls and GPS tracking. If you choose a smartphone, look for a large screen with a simple interface, high-volume settings, and increased brightness.

If your dad’s current phone is too complicated, you can make it easier for him to reach out to you with a picture phone. These dementia-friendly phones feature large, simple displays that you can customize with a picture of each contact. Your dad will be able to call his preprogrammed contacts with the simple press of a button.

Read more:12+ Best Cellphones for Seniors to Stay Connected in 2024

Talk with a Senior Living Advisor

Make your dad a meal that he’s unlikely to receive in his memory care residence. Bring him that casserole he always got seconds (or thirds) of, or a bowl of your mom’s signature chili. Good food can reignite memories and spark conversations about the past. Stick with a recipe that doesn’t go against his doctor’s recommendations, or opt for a nutritious recipe that closely matches his favorite dish.

Dementia can often cause anxiety. If you or your dad’s memory care staff notice that he experiences anxiety, depression, or insomnia, a weighted blanket may help relieve those symptoms. They have a calming effect that can reduce stress and improve sleep.

A neck and shoulder heating pad can also provide comfort. Your dad can use it to unwind and relax or to relieve mild pain. This one in particular has several timer options and will automatically shut off after two hours of use. There’s also a digital display that lets your dad see how much time is left.

You can make the most of this special holiday by finding the perfect gift for your dad, whether it’s something that helps with his symptoms of dementia or something that brings him joy. Most importantly, your dad will enjoy spending quality time with you in his memory care community.