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We've collected together here a list of the items mentioned in our
other pages, as an alternative quick way of identifying things your
loved one might find useful. We've marked those that are most suitable
as gifts with a G. Follow the link on each item for more information. We've also included a list of items we don't recommend.
We don't receive any money for mentioning these items.
When purchasing or using goods or services mentioned on this website
you're responsible for checking whether they're suitable for your needs
and for checking what internet, call or other charges you may incur, and
for checking vendors.
In the UK, note that certain products to be used for care of someone
with dementia can be bought VAT-free. Where applicable to the product,
online care shops should offer this and all you need do is fill in a
declaration; when buying expensive items in physical shops it's worth
asking. Some shops may incorrectly think that if the item is bought for
someone living in a care or nursing home that this doesn't apply -
however, we've checked with HMRC and if the product is NOT being
purchased by the care home company then where the person lives makes no
difference.
Gifts / Entertainment
G
Your time and care really is the most important gift of all
G
Photos of you and their other loved ones for the wall, with
name labels
G
A photo album with people, flowers, birds, animals,
paintings etc, or a printed picture book
G
Artificial flowers (which can also be rearranged as an
activity)
G
Birdfeeder
(there are feeders available that attach to a window)
A personalised cushion with one or more photos and text
printed on (some have photos both sides; check the size and that
you're getting the filling as well as the cover)
G
For other things that could be given as gifts, see items
marked with a G below
Sunglasses (or clip-ons for normal glasses) - make sure they're genuine UV-blocking ones
Communication / Phones
G
Amazon Echo Show or Echo Dot
(with internet wi-fi connection)
- can be set up so you can start a video or voice call from your own mobile/cell
phone without them having to know what to do; can also provide easy access to
music for dementia radio
Larger and more colourful bathroom light pull knob
Air thermostat
for more accurate boiler control (can be
retrofitted, and some can also be monitored and controlled over
the internet)
Fan for use in heatwaves
'Window limiter' / 'window restrictor' to enable an
old-style window to be opened without the risk of a burglar getting in (modern
windows have a position where they can be fixed slightly ajar
but not opened from the outside)
Also see hospital bag
prepared for unplanned trips to hospital
Spares
See our full list of spare items
to keep stocked up with (including toilet rolls, light bulbs, batteries etc)
Keep spare keys for all doors and windows etc, and for
gas/electricity meter cupboards
Not recommended
Mini 'cooler' fridge without a thermostat. Whilst it may be
useful to keep just the day's supply of e.g. yoghurts in a separate
fridge for easy access and to enable the main fridge to be
closed with a child-proof lock, we'd suggest avoiding the very
small ones that don't have a thermostat to regulate the
temperature correctly. They can let food get too warm or they
can let it freeze, entirely dependent on the room temperature.
They may also be noisy and run all the time, and are likely to
have a plastic rather than metal back, leaving a small potential
fire risk. Small fridges with a thermostat are available,
somewhere in between the price of a full size fridge and a
'cooler'. Also consider a using a lockable medicine box inside
the normal fridge, rather than a child-proof lock on the whole
fridge.
BIME Wander Reminder. You can record a short message which
is played when its PIR detector senses motion. The trouble is
that the message can get played repeatedly if the person is
'hovering' at the door. It needs to be plugged in to the mains,
and note that if the time-of-day timer switch is used then the
message is also played whenever the timer switches the power on.
However, some carers find it useful to wake them when their
loved one gets up.
Children's 'sleep trainer' clock. Most people with dementia
who struggle with a normal clock will also struggle with a
system based on stars, moon and sun. Instead we recommend a
day/night clock
designed for dementia.