Top 3 Gift Ideas for Grandpa on Father’s Day

Each June, I think about the story a friend told me about the time her grandpa left home to get a watermelon and didn’t return for nearly three days. He was frequently confused but grumpy and stubborn. Their family saw the signs of Alzheimer’s disease developing, but no one knew what to do.

Back then, she said they gave Grandpa the same lame gifts every year for Father’s Day,

• neckties he never wore,
• cologne and aftershave he never used, and
• socks and undershirts he didn’t need.

If it had been invented then, I know they would have enthusiastically invested in a GPS tracking system for his safety. That way, when he left home (because he absolutely refused to give up driving) they could easily find him when he was lost.

As we address the safety of our parents and grandparents as they age, Father’s Day holiday is a perfect time to give a gift for safety. And of course, safety is a priceless gift, much more precious than an ugly tie. As you consider a Father’s Day gift that keeps on giving, allow me to add a few ideas for your shopping list:

• A shower chair: light-weight but sturdy, the chair can remain at all times inside your loved one’s tub or shower stall. If he has problems standing or balancing for extended amounts of time, he can have a seat and bathe himself independently. With this gift, you’re not only giving safety, you’re giving dignity.
• Bath lift, grab bars and toilet safety frames: Like the purpose of the shower chair, installing all or one or two of these devices gives your family member independence and safety. With the bath lift, weak upper body strength is no longer a danger. Grab bars and the safety frame around the toilet enhance your loved one’s ability to sit and stand with a lot less stress on the body, especially if he has joint problems.
• A daily call from Keeping in Touch Solutions staff of Care Callers makes sure Grandpa is safe and well and even remind him about his medications.

A cranky attitude could be the result of aches and pains, worry and loneliness. Here at Keeping in Touch Solutions, we find that many of the recipients of our daily calls start out a bit cranky, but soon became friendly and open in our conversations. It isn’t long before the call we make is eagerly anticipated like talking to an old friend. That’s a gift that keeps on giving every day through the year – a gift that could make a real difference not only to your loved one’s safety, but also his attitude. Don’t you think that’s a gift he’d love to get?

A daily check-in call could be the lifeline, the joy you give someone that makes the biggest difference in their perception of what old age is like.

Contact me at 317-480-1038 today. Let’s make a difference together.

I’m Diana Beam, Founder of Keeping in Touch Solutions. It is my heartfelt desire for every person to live a happy and healthy life in the place they call home, no matter what their age. You can’t put a price on peace of mind for your parents and yourself. It’s priceless . . . and significant.

For that reason, the goal of every Keeping In Touch Solutions program is to provide a caring connection and service that both the elderly and their caregivers can rely on to make living that good life easier.