Thinking of gifts for your caregiver friends this time of the year?

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, over 43.5 million people have provided unpaid care in the past year. With so many people caring for loved ones, chances are high that someone on your list is a caregiver.

If you’re wondering what to get your caregiver friends this holiday season, this list has you covered. You’ll find seven different categories of gifts that caregivers would love.

These gifts also work as everyday gifts!

7 gifts to get your caregiver friends

If you’re wondering what you can give the caregivers in your life, here are seven types of gifts they’ll love!

1.     Time Off

Providing care is hard, both physically and emotionally. Caregivers are on duty all the time. When their family member needs care, they selflessly provide it.

But all this care giving takes a toll. Your friend can use a break!

Could you head to her home and relieve her for a few hours a couple of time each month? Or provide overnight care once a month?

Think about how much time you could commit to and create a certificate sharing your commitment. It’s a gift that’ll keep on giving all year long, giving your friend a necessary break.

 

If you don’t live close enough to personally provide respite, or don’t have the desire to do so, you can still provide a break. You can pay for another caregiver to relieve your friend on a regular basis.

2.      Relaxation

Self-care is so important, especially if you’re taking care of others. Give your friend the gift of relaxation, so they can fill their own cup a bit. Consider gifting:

• A spa day
• Quality coffee and a mug with an inspirational saying
• A chair massager
• Bath bombs in a favorite scent
• Candles
• A new book (a fun read, not related to care giving!)
• Starbucks gift card
• Subscription to a favorite magazine

3.      Hobby Building

Providing care can be consuming. Don’t let your friend lose herself in her efforts to be the best caregiver possible. Give her a gift that encourages her to pursue her own passions and interests.

Hobby building gifts could include:

• Painting supplies
• Yarn and knitting needles
• Online courses
• A blog domain and a year of hosting
• High quality camera
• A kit with the necessary supplies to learn something new
• Drawing instruments
• A musical instrument, instruction book, and lessons

4.      Food

Everyone needs to eat. Food preparation takes the time of a caregiver. Take this worry off your friend’s plate by giving the gift of food.

Meal delivery services make excellent gifts for caregivers.  You can also make several healthy freezer meals and deliver them with clear instructions for how to prepare them.

Before giving the gift of food, make sure you ask about dietary restrictions for the entire household. You don’t want your friend to have to make a second meal because someone can’t eat what you brought.

5.      Memory Holders

Caretakers realize that death can happen at any moment. Many of them desire to remember as many memories of their aging family member as possible. Give the gift of memories such as:

• An interview journal
• A couple’s letter book (for spouses providing care)
• A memory box to put mementos in
• Create a photo pillow featuring images of the caregiver and loved one
• Enlist the help of other family members and friends, asking everyone write a note about their favorite memories. Compile these in a small photo album or box.

6.      Household Help

Having a clean, well-maintained home can take a lot of stress from caretakers. Are there any household tasks you can help with or pay someone else to do? Think about:

• Housecleaning
• Yard maintenance
• Cleaning the gutters
• Doing minor repairs
• Regular household maintenance

7.      Care giving Supplies, Tools, or Subscriptions

Your friend wants to be the best caregiver possible. These items provide knowledge, support, and inspiration to make that happen.

• Membership in an association related with their loved one’s condition
• A book about caregiving, like How to Care for Aging Parents, The Conscious Caregiver, or Learning to Speak Alzheimer’s
• A locked pill box for keeping track of medication
• Wireless call button
• Household cameras or alarms for doors
• A guided journal
• Caregiving calendar

There you have it, seven types of gifts the caregiver in your life will appreciate. Please share this post with others who are purchasing gifts for caregivers.