This Vista Prairie at River Heights patio in South St. Paul is a peaceful oasis outside our Memory Care services there. Memory Care is available in our Minnesota communities in Fairmont, Redwood Falls and Willmar as well, and in Sheldon, Iowa.
Lynn Buckley is the Memory Care and Care Suites Manager for Vista Prairie at Garnette Gardens in Redwood Falls, and an expert in this field. During this holiday season, Lynn offers some helpful gift advice to you, for people on your list who have dementia.
The first and most important tip is to know what stage of the process your loved one is in. Your care professional can easily answer this question for you. Buying a gift for a loved one in the early stages of dementia can be very different from buying a gift for someone in the late stages. These suggestions are grouped according to the stages of dementia:
Early Stage:
- Activity books, like crossword puzzles or strategy books, adult color books, color pencils
- DVD’s of classic movies, TV shows or music that your loved one likes
- A photo album or a family event calendar with photos of family members
- A memory phone where photos and phone numbers of loved ones can be stored
- Digital photo frame
- A clock with digital time, date and day
- Personalized video of family member and friends
- Transportation gift cards
- Familiar books
- Box of cards with stamped envelopes
- Transfer old family videos, photos and slides onto a digital recording
- Gift card for Meals on Wheels or at a local senior dining opportunity
- Favorite sports team memorabilia
These items will help stimulate your loved one to reminisce.
Middle Stage:
- Automatic night lights that turn on and off with movement
- A clock with digital time, date and day
- An automatic pill dispenser if your loved one resides in their home
- Simple craft items that will spark your loved one to reminisce
- Scented lotions and bath soaps
- Larger print books
- A bird feeder
Late Stage:
- Slippers
- Weighted lap blanket
- Fidget toys
- Stuffed animal
- Warm soft lap blanket
Finally -- the best gift for all stages is your time!
The primary focus of our Memory Care services in Minnesota and Iowa is to provide an attentive and caring environment for seniors dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. Our program is full of activities that help relieve the anxiety, confusion and frustration that impact residents' lives.