Gifts for Seniors Moving Into Assisted Living

Moving into assisted living is a big life change.

Even when the move is the right decision, it can bring a mixture of emotions. There may be excitement about a new chapter, relief that some responsibilities are being taken care of, and sadness about leaving a home filled with years of memories.

And then there is the practical problem:

What do you take with you when you can’t take everything?

After a lifetime of collecting things that have meaning, moving into a much smaller space often means giving away or getting rid of many possessions.

That’s one reason I think a thoughtful gift basket can be such a wonderful gift for someone moving into assisted living.

It doesn’t have to take up much space. It can include things that make their new room feel comfortable and familiar, along with a few favorite treats and reminders of the people who love them.

Most importantly, it can say:

“You may be moving to a new place, but you haven’t left us behind.”

Why a Gift Basket Makes Such a Good Moving Gift

A gift basket is flexible.

You can make it practical, comforting, entertaining, sentimental—or a combination of all four.

And unlike a large decorative gift, you can choose relatively small things that won’t create another storage problem for someone who has just spent weeks deciding what to keep and what to give away.

The best basket isn’t necessarily the one with the most things in it.

It’s the one filled with things that mean something to the person receiving it.

Think about what they enjoy, what makes them comfortable, what reminds them of home, and what they will actually have room for in their new surroundings.

Start With the Things That Make Their New Room Feel Like Home

When someone moves from a house they’ve lived in for years into a single room or apartment, familiar things can make an enormous difference.

A few possibilities include:

A framed family photograph
A favorite book
A familiar mug
A small photo album
A favorite blanket or throw
A favorite tea or coffee
A small plant, if the facility allows it
A favorite snack
A handwritten letter from family members
A small keepsake that has special meaning

These aren’t necessarily expensive things.

But they can help transform an unfamiliar room into their space.

Think Small

This is one situation where I would resist the temptation to make the biggest gift basket possible.

Someone who is moving into assisted living may have just spent weeks sorting through decades of belongings.

The last thing you want to do is give them another large collection of things they have to find a place for.

A smaller basket filled with carefully chosen items may be much more appreciated than an enormous basket filled with things they don’t need.

Practical Gifts Can Be Wonderful

Practical doesn’t have to mean boring.

In fact, some of the things that make everyday life more comfortable can be very welcome when someone is adjusting to a new home.

Depending on the person and the facility’s rules, you might consider:

Soft, comfortable socks
Non-slip slippers
Hand lotion
Lip balm
A favorite soap
A lightweight water bottle
A small notebook and pen
A reading light
Large-print puzzle books
A magnifying glass
Individually packaged snacks
Tea or coffee
A comfortable lap blanket

Just be sure to check with the assisted-living facility before including anything that might not be permitted.

And remember that dietary restrictions can change as we get older. If you’re including food, make sure you know whether the person has any dietary requirements.

Don’t Forget the Memories

This may be the most important part of the basket.

Someone moving into assisted living isn’t just moving furniture.

They’re leaving behind a home filled with memories.

That’s why photographs and other sentimental items can mean so much.

A small framed photograph of children or grandchildren can brighten a bedside table.

A photograph of a beloved pet can bring back years of happy memories.

A collection of old family photographs can become a little piece of home in a new room.

You could even ask several family members to write short notes and put them together in a small booklet.

Imagine opening a little book and finding:

“Remember when we went to the beach and you…”

“I will always remember the Christmas when…”

Those are the things that can’t be purchased in a store.

A Digital Photo Frame Can Be a Wonderful Gift

My grandchildren gave me a digital photo frame, and I love it.

I can sit in my comfortable chair and watch photographs of my family appear one after another. And because new photographs can be added from their phones, it doesn’t have to remain a collection of old memories.

For someone moving into assisted living, something like this can be especially meaningful.

It takes up very little space but can bring a whole family into the room.

If you give someone a digital photo frame, however, make sure someone helps them set it up.

Technology is wonderful when it works for you.

It isn’t much of a gift if the recipient can’t figure out how to use it.

Include Something They Enjoy

Don’t let the move into assisted living become the definition of the person.

They’re still the same person who loved to read, do crossword puzzles, knit, watch baseball, paint, garden, listen to music, or play cards.

Give them something that encourages them to continue doing what they enjoy.

Some ideas include:

Crossword or word-search books
Large-print books
Magazines
Playing cards
A small craft project
Knitting or crochet supplies
Coloring books and colored pencils
A favorite type of music
A small sewing or craft kit
A compact game they can enjoy with new friends

If they enjoy puzzles, a crossword book and a favorite beverage might be all you need for a lovely little basket.

And if they enjoy social activities, consider including a deck of cards or a compact game they can play with other residents.

The gift isn’t just the object.

It’s something that gives them a reason to enjoy an afternoon.

Food Gifts Can Bring a Little Bit of Home

Favorite foods can be particularly comforting during a major transition.

A familiar cookie.

A favorite tea.

A particular brand of coffee.

Some nuts or another favorite snack.

These little things can provide a connection to the life they knew before the move.

But don’t fill a basket with food simply because it looks generous.

Find out what they actually like and what they’re allowed to eat.

If they live alone or have limited storage space, a small assortment of individually packaged treats may be much more practical than a large food basket.

What About Technology?

Technology can be a wonderful addition to a gift basket—or a complete disaster.

It depends on the person.

A tablet loaded with family photographs, an easy-to-use music player, or a digital photo frame can help someone stay connected with family members who don’t live nearby.

But if they have never used these things before, don’t just hand them the gadget and expect them to figure it out.

Include the help that goes with the gift.

Sit down with them.

Set it up.

Write simple instructions.

Show them how to use it.

And be patient.

The goal is to make their life easier, not to give them homework.

What NOT to Put in an Assisted-Living Gift Basket

This is one area where a little restraint is important.

Before you put your basket together, find out how much space the person has and what the facility allows.

I’d be cautious about:

Large decorative objects
Too many picture frames
Bulky blankets
Large quantities of food
Strongly scented candles or lotions
Anything that could create a tripping hazard
Items that require complicated maintenance
Anything prohibited by the facility

And don’t assume that something you think is beautiful will be appreciated.

Remember, your loved one may have just spent weeks deciding what belongings they could keep.

The goal isn’t to give them more things. It’s to give them more comfort.

You Can Keep the Connection Going

One of the hardest parts of moving into assisted living may not be the move itself.

It may be what happens afterward.

The family goes home.

The boxes are unpacked.

The first few days become the first few weeks.

That’s when continued contact becomes especially important.

Send a card.

Call.

Visit.

Bring a favorite snack.

Take them to lunch.

Send photographs of what the grandchildren are doing.

And don’t wait for a holiday.

A small package arriving unexpectedly can be a wonderful reminder that they haven’t been forgotten.

You might even create a tradition of sending a small seasonal gift basket for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Christmas, or simply “thinking of you.”