Good Gifts For A Couch Potato (Or Anyone Else Who Likes Loafing)
So, if your favorite friend or spouse is someone who enjoys being lazy and watching TV, DVDs or just wearing a spot in your sofa, I can help you out.
You see, my elderly Mom, Gertie, was a couch potato, mostly against her will – that’s what age will do for ya. She was my impetus for reaching out and finding the best gifts for a couch potato.
The gifts I’ve selected below are all items that Mom would have definitely approved of (Amazon Alexa was still on the horizon when she died).
Expand Your Couch Potato Friend’s Horizons With An Amazon Echo, Tap, or Dot
One of the best sellers on Good Gifts For Senior Citizens is the Amazon Echo.
With the ability to read out a news feed, order toilet paper (or any other amazon item), tell your senior friend the weather and about a jillion other things, Amazon Echo is my very first pick for a couch potato.
And, if you add in a few blue tooth outlet plugs to the room, your elderly loved one can turn on or off the lights.
Amazon Echo, or its cousins, the Amazon Tap, and the Amazon Dot work perfectly on a bedside stand, TV table, or anywhere else in the home one wants some ‘company.’
To see more detailed information about how an Amazon device can help your favorite senior citizen, check out my article: Amazon Echo, Tap, and Dot.
Echo Show – 1st Generation BlackEcho (2nd Generation) – Smart speaker with Alexa – Charcoal FabricEcho Dot (2nd Generation) – Smart speaker with Alexa – BlackEcho Buttons (2 buttons per pack) – A fun companion for your EchoEcho Spot – Smart Display with Alexa – WhiteAll-new Echo Dot (3rd Gen) – Smart speaker with Alexa – Heather GrayAll-new Echo Plus (2nd Gen) – Premium sound with built-in smart home hub – Charcoal
Add A Streaming Device To The Couch Potatoe’s Arsenal
I quit my cable service when the bill ranged upward to $180/month – there just was no TV worth that much money to me. My friends wondered how I’d exist without TV. Little did I know that I’d love being unplugged from cable.
I purchased both a Roku (for the living room) and a Fire TV (for the bedroom). I prefer the Fire TV just for the ease of use. And, as a bonus, if your senior citizen friend is an Amazon prime member, there are literally thousands of TV shows and movies free for the viewing on the Fire TV.
Fire TV also can be voice controlled which can be very helpful for the elderly who may get confused at ‘all those remote control buttons!’ A push of a button and a command of ‘Find Frasier’ brings up the series with various ways to watch my favorite TV series.
Sony BDPS3700 Streaming Blu-Ray Disc Player with Wi-Fi (2016 Model)Fire TV Stick 4K with all-new Alexa Voice Remote, streaming media playerFire TV Cube, hands-free with Alexa and 4K Ultra HD (includes all-new Alexa Voice Remote), streaming media playerRoku Streaming Stick+ | HD/4K/HDR Streaming Device with Long-range Wireless and Voice Remote with TV Power and VolumeRoku Ultra | HD/4K/HDR Streaming Media Player Voice Remote, Remote Finder & USB. Now includes Premium JBL Headphones. (2018)NVIDIA Shield TV | 4K HDR Streaming Media Player
TV Snack Trays
It used to be a privilege to eat off TV snack trays when I was growing up. I’m sure your favorite couch loafter will love being served breakfast ‘in bed’ (on the sofa!).
To see more variations on bedside tables and snack trays, check out my article: Portable Tables And Bed Trays.
Oversized 5 Pc. Tv Tray Set, 4 Tray Tables and Stand, Mahogany Color, Dimensions: Weighs 10.4 Lbs, 23.5 Wide X 17 Long X 26 in Height5 Piece TV Tray Snack Dinner Folding Table SetWinsome Oversize Snack Table Set, Walnut
Heated Throws
When I was caring for my elderly Mom, one of my best tools was a heated throw that I would toss over her on chilly mornings. She loved the thing. Note: I always monitored the use of the throw as, especially with the elderly, too much heat can burn thin skin.
Biddeford 4441-907484-905 Electric Heated Comfort Knit Throw, 50-Inch by 62-Inch, Zebra PrintSunbeam Fleece Heated Throw, Assorted Colors and PatternsSerta Sherpa Microfleece Reversible Electric Heated Throw, Grey
Remote Controls For The Couch Potato
Not only should every couch potato/sofa surfer have a good remote control, but, the bigger the better!
Our favorite remote control was the Universal Remote Control URC MX-450 below which is a couch lover’s dream – it is absolutely on steroids (and the price reflects this)! It does everything but get the next beer for you (train your dog to do that).
This remote control is for the couch potato who has every single component known to man for watching that football game or big screen movie. It’s perfect for the home theater as it recognizes most components and, those it doesn’t recognize, can be easily programmed with the learning function on the remote.
It doesn’t, however, have very large buttons so, if you have a couch potato who has waning vision, one of the big button universal remote controls might be better.
Universal Remote Control MX-450 Custom Programmable Remote Control with On-Screen Macro Editing.Flipper Big Button Universal Remote for 2 DevicesBoostwaves Universal Jumbo Remote ControlHy-Tek Tek Partner BW0561RD Universal Remote ControlRCA RCRPS02GR 2-Device Big Button Remote ControlUniversal Big Button TV Remote – EasyMote DT-R08W Backlit, Easy Use, Smart, Learning Television & Cable Box Controller, Perfect for Assisted Living Elderly Care. White TV Remote Control
Remote Control Caddies Keep Remotes Handy
Who hasn’t lifted sofa cushions, searched under furniture, and/or accused one’s mate of stealing the remote? I know I’ve spent many many frustrating moments looking for the TV remote while caring for Mom. A good remote control holder may just save their sanity and yours too….
Stock Your Home Remote Control Holder Organizer Uses Include TV Remote Control Organizer Caddy, TV Remote Organizer & Remote Control Organizer Caddy – BlackTravelWell Arm Chair Caddy Remote Control Holder Organizer, BlackMedia Storage Faux Leather Spinning Remote Control Organizer – BrownCustomized Acrylic TV Remote Control Holder Organizer – Bedside, Coffee or End Table Remotes Caddy – Thick Black Lucite with Clear Dividers – by UnumSofa Armrest Organizer with Cup Holder Tray 6 Pockets TV Remote Control Organizer Sofa Couch Armchair Caddy Organizer Tidy Pocket Hanging Storage Bag Holder for Cellphone Magazine Drinks Snacks BlackRemote Control Organizer, Space Saving Metal TV Remote Control Storage Organizer/Caddy/Rack/Organizer, Black Pretty Handy Remote Control Tidy Remote Holder and TV Remote Organizer
Why Get Up For A Beer Or Snacks When You Can Have Your Drink Of Choice Next To The Sofa?!
I used one of these mini fridges in college when I was living in a dorm. Although mine is long gone, there are times when we use our small refrigerator in our travel trailer while camping.
If your couch potato likes to down cold ones while watching his or her favorite movie or football game, a gift of a small refrigerator will put a smile on his or her face.
Note: These little refrigerators are perfect for storing water, medications, and other necessities close by.
Midea WHS-65LB1 Compact Single Reversible Door Refrigerator, 1.6 Cubic Feet(0.045 Cubic Meter), Black1.6-1.7 Cubic Foot Fridge, BlueGourmia GMF600 Portable 6 Can Mini Fridge Cooler and Warmer for Home ,Office, Car or Boat AC & DC, White – 110VRCA RFR321-FR320/8 IGLOO Mini Refrigerator, 3.2 Cu Ft Fridge, BlackBLACK+DECKER BCRK25W Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 2.5 Cubic Ft., WhiteCulinair Af100s 1.7-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator, Silver and Black
At The Very Least, Get Your Couch Potato To Do Some Robotic Vacuuming
I had a roomba and loved it until it died of asphyxiation from too much dog hair. Ah, but that was years ago. The new Roombas and robot vacuums specialize in pet hair, potato chip crumbs, cigarette ashes – you see where I’m going with this.
All your couch potato friend has to do after a bout of sitting and snacking in front of the TV is to turn the Roomba vacuum on and let ‘er rip.
ROLLIBOT BL618– Quiet Robotic Vacuum Cleaner. Vacuum’s, Sweeps, Mops with UV Light Sterilization for Hardwood, Tile, and Linoleum.ECOVACS DEEBOT N79 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner with Strong Suction, for Low-pile Carpet, Hard floor, Wi-Fi ConnectediRobot Roomba 980 Wi-Fi Connected Robotic Vacuum Cleaner, Works with Amazon AlexaiRobot Roomba 690 Robot Vacuum with Wi-Fi Connectivity, Works with Alexa, Good for Pet Hair, Carpets, Hard FloorsiRobot Roomba 890 Robot Vacuum Cleaner with Wi-Fi Connectivity, Works with Alexa, Ideal for Pet Hair, Carpets, & Hard Floor SurfacesILIFE A7 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner with High Suction, LCD Display, Multi-Task Schedule, WiFi APP Control and Dual Roller Brushes for Hard Floor and Thin Carpets
A Few Small Exercise Gifts Might Give Your Couch Potato A Hint
Did you know that statistics show that people who sit 4 hours or more hours a day have a 50% higher chance of heart events. So, some light exercise equipment might get your lover of a sedentary lifestyle moving at least. Can’t hurt!
Portable Pedal Exerciser by Vive – Best Arm & Leg Exercise Peddler Machine – Low Impact Desk Cycle – Fitness Equipment for Seniors and Elderly – Folding Exercise Bike (Silver)Pedal Exerciser by Vive – Portable Medical Exercise Peddler – Low Impact, Small Exercise Bike for Under Your Office Desk – Designed for Either Hands or FeetLIGHT TENSION EXERCISE RESISTANCE BANDS – Home Gym Fitness Equipment. Ideal for Physical Therapy, Strength Workout, Theraband, Pilates, Beachbody, Yoga, Mat, Rehab, Seated | LATEX-FREE | 6.5ftStronger Seniors® Stretch and Strength DVDs- 2 disc Chair Exercise Program- Stretching, Aerobics, Strength Training, and Balance. Improve flexibility, muscle and bone strength, circulation, heart health, and stability. Developed by Anne Pringle BurnellThe Home Workout Plan for Seniors: How to Master Chair Exercises in 30 DaysSit and Be Fit Arthritis Award-Winning Chair Exercise Workout For Seniors-Stretching, Aerobics, Strength Training, and Balance. Improve flexibility, muscle and bone strength, circulation, heart health, and stability
Foot And Leg Massagers
As a caregiver, I was up on my feet a lot! I’m not sure how I would have continued the course if it weren’t for my foot and leg massager.
Foot and leg massagers are not only wonderful for fatigued feet but, if your couch potato friend has any circulation problems, a quick massage is all that’s needed to get the blood flowing again.
ZENY Shiatsu Kneading Rolling Vibration Heating Foot Leg Calf Massager Personal Health Studio Leg Beautician, RedBest Choice Products Shiatsu Foot Massager Kneading and Rolling Leg Calf Ankle with Remote, Red Burgundy, 13.50 PoundNekteck Foot Massager Deep Kneading Shiatsu with Built in Heat Function and Power Cord – BlackMiko Shiatsu Home Foot Massager Machine With Switchable Heat Charcoal GreyuComfy Shiatsu Foot Massager 2.0, RedMedMassager MMF06 11 Speed Foot Massager
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