Grandma in nursing home/rehab. What would be good to send?

[sbj405]

DU always has good ideas. My grandma was just moved from the hospital to a nursing home to get her strength back(probably at least a month). She's 600 miles away and I'd like to send something (besides flowers). My folks are in the area, so they are getting her most of what she needs (apparently she's asking for fajitas :-) )She's 86, doesn't see or hear well, still trying to find out dietary restrictions from my parents. What would be good to send - either a box that I put together or something that I could order? Thanks in advance.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

1. Buy her some Books on CD and a cd player...

If she can't see well, I'm sure she'd love it!
Why don't you take some fun pictures of you and your family (if you have one) and put them in one of those collage frames. I'm sure she'd love that too.
If you can afford it, could you send her a few plants or something to brighten up her room?
Duckie

[Midlodemocrat]

6. Great suggestion. I bought one for my dad when he was in a nursing home.

He loved it.

[spinbaby]

15. Hope it works

We have a 97-year-old grandmother in a nursing home and have yet to find a CD or MP3 player she can operate. Between the loss of sight and a loss of motor control, operating gadgets has become nearly impossible. Wish I could find something really simple with really big buttons.

You're on the right track, though--boredom is a huge problem in facilities like that. Our grandma can't get around by herself, can't watch TV or read because she can't see well, can't hear too well, either. She's not senile and it's rough for a person with her mind intact to do so little.

[Omphaloskepsis]

2. It sounds like you need more info...

Maybe you could get her a iPod Shuffle and pre-load it with music she would like. Oh crap I see her hearing is slipping. Maybe enough sound could make it through. You could always put on Audio Books. Honestly, if you took the time to pay her a visit that would probably mean the most to her. You can touch her, I doubt she would ever forget that.

[hippywife]

3. To add to YRD's post about audio books

your state's Library for the Blind and Disabled lend free audio books and a special player to use with them:

http://www.lbph.lib.md.us/info_pg.htm

I work in a retirement/nursing home and this is a great free service for folks who don't see well. Also ask them to include an ear or headphone since she doesn't hear well, either.

A nice fleece laprobe or fluffy bed pillow with a nice sham would be good things to send.

[zanne]

4. I have an aunt in a nursing home...

I don't know what kind of illness your grandma had or has, but I know my aunt really appreciates good, quality candy! And I'm not talking supermarket off-the-shelf candy; I mean going to a candy shop or a chocolatiere's shop for the really good stuff. And then try not to eat it before you can send it to her!

[patricia92243]

5. Money. That way she buy little treats for herself, have her hair done, etc.

[MANative]

7. My MIL always appreciates little note cards and postage

stamps so that she can stay in touch with friends and family more easily. I put together a box of all kinds - Thank You notes, birthday cards, sympathy, etc, and all she has to do is sign her name and address it - she loves getting replies back from her correspondence!

[ganeshji]

8. The fluffiest, snuggliest blanket you can find.

My grandma always appreciated this.

[applegrove]

9. A box of candy. Books on tape and a tape player.

[AlCzervik]

10. picures and a really nice bathrobe.

[Dulcinea]

11. Fuzzy socks, sweats, lounge-type clothing.

Target has the snuggliest, softest fuzzy socks! My MIL is in a nursing home, & she never seems to have enough soft socks or clothing that's easy to get in & out of as well as comfy.

[grasswire]

12. how about a CD of old-time radio shows?

I'm thinking of the old Jack Benny shows, or George Burns & Gracie Allen. Or perhaps a portable DVD player (they come really small!) with DVDs of I Love Lucy shows and perhaps Andy Griffith or Tennesee Ernie Ford or even Lawrence Welk. Someone could show her how to load the gadget.

I have found that many elderly people really want to sink back in the comfort of their "time" via music and memory. Facilitating that trip down memory lane is a great gift.

[Lars39]

13. Some really nice hand lotion and cards on a regular basis.

[LiberalHeart]

14. My mom recently went through this...

She really missed her soap operas, so I got recaps off the net and read her what was happening. If your grandma's a soap fan, that might be something you can do -- email the recaps to a family member who gets to visit and can read 'em to her.