Top 10 Summer Gift Ideas For A Senior Citizen

That’s me on the bottom left at a family picnic – ah, those were the days….

Summer may easily bring wistful memories of olden times such as picnics under trees, ice cream socials, or even drive-in movies for some senior citizens.

When Mom was with me, I spent a lot of time researching places to go and things to do with her to provide some quality time during the warm summer months. It wasn’t always easy, but, I did come up with some good ideas (and gifts) which I’m about to share with you.

So, here’s a group of 10 ideas I’ve come up with to keep Mom (and me….) comfortable and entertained during long summer days.

Plan A Picnic

My own parents were quite poor when they were young so there was no money for any kind of entertainment, except, that is, family picnics. Both Mom and Dad regaled me with tales of red checkered picnic cloths, lemonade, and home churned ice cream.

How about recreating such a scene for your own senior citizen friends?

Pack a picnic basket with their favorite foods, spread out a picnic cloth, and load up the portable bar (well, Grandpa might like a tibble or two…).  Also remember to provide your elderly friend with comfortable seating which is easy to get out of – they’ll still probably need a hand….

Make sure you protect your senior citizen from the sun – a sunburn is very painful to thinning skin.

 Picnic Time ‘Canasta’ Basket with Red Check Lid Picnic Time ‘Prairie’ Picnic Basket UPGRADED Picnic Basket – Premium INSULATED 4 Person Wicker Hamper Set with Plates, Wine Glasses, and Flatware Woworld 4 Person Wicker Picnic Basket Hamper Set with Flatware,Plates,Wine Glasses Includes FREE Picnic Blanket Blue and White Liner Extra Large Picnic & Outdoor Blanket with Waterproof Backing 80 Camco 42803 Picnic Blanket (51 21st Century B59A2 Picnic Table Cloth, 52-Inch by 72-Inch Coleman Picnic Tablecloth Salton LM8 Lemonader! Lemonade Maker Takeya Flash Chill Lemonade Maker, Lemon, 66-Ounce Smart Planet ELM-1 Electric Lemonade Maker Takeya Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker (2 Quarts, Black) Picnic Time ‘Manhattan’ Insulated Two-Bottle Cocktail Set, Mahogany Picnic Time ‘Hamilton’ Travel Cocktail Set Trav-L-Bar Vinyl 2-Bottle Travel Bar, Black Margaritaville Mixed Drink Maker Stylish Camping Full Back Folding Director’s Chair Sport-Brella Versa-Brella All Position Umbrella with Universal Clamp Coleman Aluminum Deck Chair AmazonBasics Pop-Up Canopy Tent – 10 x 10 ft

Keep ‘Em Cool With Misters, Personal And Otherwise

After going through menopause, I was HOT – man, was I! I explored so many items to help me get through hot flashes and night sweats that I started another website: Gifts For Menopausal Women.

And, that’s how I found out about misters. Now? I won’t go outside in summer without my personal mister in my hands. It’s saved me through many a hot picnic.

And, a cooling towel is a necessity for any elderly loved one. Just dip in water, wring out, and place on pulse points (I like mine around my neck). As it warms to the environment, simply swing it around in the air to ‘recool’ it.

 Lasko 7050 Misto Outdoor Misting Fan Arctic Cove MBF0181 18-Volt Bucket Top Misting Fan with 2 Speeds (Battery and Charger Included) 2 Pack – Orbit Arizona Mist Flexible Cobra Mist Stand for Outdoor Cooling CoreGear CLASSIC Mister USA Misters 1.5 Liter Personal Water Mister Pump Spray Bottle (Grey) O2COOL Deluxe Misting Fan, Purple Chill Pal (Blue) PVA Cooling Towel Stay Cool Towel Cold Towel Sports Towel Chill Towels For Sports Men Dogs Kids Neck Bulk Athletes Instant Cooling Relief Yoga Camping Workout Running

Make Getting Into And Out Of A Car Easier With These Car Aids

It was sometimes hard for me to get my mom to come along with me for car trips as it was increasingly harder for her to get into and out of the car. But, that problem was solved when I found these standing aids and rotating seats for the car. She loved car rides after I bought those items for her.

 Stander HandyBar – Automotive Standing Aid Car Assist Handle + Vehicle Emergency Escape Tools with Window Breaker and Seat Belt Cutter + Lifetime Guarantee Tanaka Automotive Standing Aid & Adjustable Safety Vehicle Support Handle Stander CarCaddie – Automotive Standing Aid and Adjustable Safety Vehicle Support Handle Portable Nylon Car Assist Device + Lifetime Guarantee Essential Medical Supply Deluxe Swivel Seat Standers Auto Swivel Cushion Seat, 1 Pound Sojoy iGelComfort Deluxe Gel Swivel Seat Cushion Featured with Memory Foam

Outdoor Games

Summer is the perfect time to encourage your elderly friend to go outdoors and soak up a little vitamin D from the sunshine (make sure they wear sunscreen!).

Here’s some outdoor games just perfectly suited to a warm summer evening.

 Elite Ring Toss Game – Kids Games Improve Eye-Hand Coordination and Fine Motor Skills – Compact Carry Bag Included, plus 10 Extra Plastic Rings Hey! Play! Wooden Lawn Bowling Set, 8 Champion Sports Rubber Horseshoe Game for Tailgating, Camping, Backyard and Gym Franklin Sports Intermediate Croquet Set

Recreate Their Own Drive-In Movie!

I really wish my folks were around for this idea as we would have had a great time setting up a drive in movie. They’d be sitting in the air-conditioned truck which John would have rigged with speakers.

My folks aren’t around to enjoy the idea but how about yours? You’ve got to admit – it’s an inventive gift.

Note: That first link below is really really expensive. Don’t click on it if you have heart problems!

 CineBox Home 12′ x7′ Backyard Theater Projection System CAIWEI LED Video Projector HD 200 Crenova XPE470 Mini LED Video Projector Office Projector Outdoor/Indoor Home Projector (Supports 1080P via USB Drive, TV, Laptop, Android Smartphone, iPad, iPhone) for Home Cinema Theater-Black OutStanding Screens™ 220 inch, 16’x9′, Portable Outdoor Movie Projection Screen

Recreate Summer Evenings By Listening To An Old Time Radio Program Or Watch A Classic TV Show

There really is nothing more that the elderly want than to spend time with their family.

Imagine their joy of you and your offspring showing up on a Saturday evening bearing a few gifts to enjoy together. Whether it’s old time radio or classic TV programs, your senior citizen friend will certainly feel loved.

 TV Shows On The Radio – The Ultimate Old-Time Radio Collection Vol. 1 The Shadow Radio Treasures (Old Time Radio) (Classic Radio Suspense) The Greatest Old-Time Radio Shows of the 20th Century 101 Timeless TV Classics – 8 DVD Set! Over 40 Hours! TV’s Cops: Private Eyes – Over 8 Hours of Television Classics! 19 Episodes! A Classic Christmas – The Ed Sullivan Show

Lightweight Bed Jackets

Mom was always cold during the summer while I was just roasting alive!

My solution to this situation was to warm her up with a cozy bed jacket. The nice side benefit of having her wear the bed jacket was evident after meal times when I could just throw it in the wash instead of helping her into a new nightgown!

 Chenille Bed Jacket National Terry Ruffle Bed Jacket, Blue, Medium Casual Moments Women’s Seersucker Bed Jacket, White, Medium Slenderella Ladies 100% Acrylic Sparkly Bed Jacket Ribbon Tie Lace Style Cardigan – Medium (Cream)

Protect Your Senior Friend From The Damaging Rays Of The Sun With A New Sunhat

 Siggi Womens Wide Brim Summer Sun Flap Bill Cap Cotton Hat Neck Cover UPF 50+ Navy Siggi Womens Floppy Summer Sun Beach Straw Hats Accessories Wide Brim SPF 50 Crushable 56-58cm Beige Maitose™ Women’s UV Sun Protection Beach Wide Brim Fishing Hat Columbia Men’s Bora Bora Booney II Sun Hat, Grill, One Size Adam’s Headwear Extreme Condition Hat UPF 45+ Khaki Outdoor Boonie Sun Hat – UPF 50 Protection for Men & Women. Wide Brim Summer Hat. Waterproof for Fishing, Hiking, Camping, Boating & Outdoor Adventures. Breathable Polyester & Mesh

Light Up A Garden Path with Solar Lights

I’ve always been a fan of ourdoor solar lighting but never more so than when I found these very easy to install solar garden path lamps. They fit to steps perfectly to light up each stair and help prevent tripping or falling accidents.

 Solar Step Lights, iThird 3 LED Solar Powered Stair Lights Outdoor Lighting for Steps Paths Patio Decks Auto On/Off Waterproof 4 Pack Lightess Solar Stair Lights Outdoor LED Step Lighting 2 LEDs Stainless Steel For Steps Paths Patio Decks Pack of 6 Solar Deck Light,SOLMORE 4 Pack LED Solar Dock Path Road Lights Marker lighting,Waterproof Security Warning Lights for Outdoor Fence Patio Stud Yard Home Driveway Pathway Stairs Step Garden Lamp Blue

Help Them Start An Indoor Garden With An AeroGrow Gardening Kit

Mom and I just loved to watch our plants grow in our AeroGrow garden. I had it on the kitchen counter right by her placemat. She would wake up excited to see what had happened overnight, and, with the AeroGrow, things literally happen overnight! It was great fun.

A nice benefit to having one of these small indoor gardens in an elderly friend’s bedroom or kitchen is that the fresh herbs grown can spice up some otherwise boring food.

 AeroGarden Sprout with Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit, Black AeroGarden Classic 6 with Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit AeroGarden Ultra (LED) with Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit AeroGarden Grow Anything Seed Pod Kit (1-Season) AeroGarden Salad Greens Mix Seed Pod Kit (7-Pod) AeroGarden Fresh Tea Seed Pod Kit (9-Pod)