Some gift ideas for grandma and grandpa
'Tis the season…for gift guides. Flip open any newspaper or magazine, click onto the Internet or television and you'll find gift ideas for everyone. Everyone, that is, but hard-to-buy-for older adults. You know, folks who have everything they need and don't want more "stuff."
One study conducted in 2003 by a national home health care company revealed that seniors value their family presence more than presents during the holidays.
Is it any wonder that after 70 or 80 Christmases and birthdays in the course of a lifetime, being surrounded by family and friends is more valued than another tie or scarf ?
In fact, of the 500 involved in the study, 42 percent of the seniors admitted they didn't even remember what gifts they received the previous holiday, but 98.6 percent of them could remember with whom they spent the holidays last year.
Don't want to come empty-handed to Grandmother's house? While it might be difficult to find practical but unique gifts at the mall, a few catalog and Web sites are making your hunt a little easier.
"The senior market continues to be an under-served and neglected market, even though this is the fastest-growing population segment that has the most money," noted Connie Hallquist, president of Gold Violin, (www.goldviolin.com, (877) 648-8400), an 8-year-old catalog company focusing on practical products that address the normal process of aging. "We offer products that allow you to continue doing the activities you want to do but bring in elements of good design."
Talking wristwatches with real fashion flair are big sellers these days, said Hallquist. At the push of a button, a clear female voice announces the time. A stretch band allowing it to slide effortlessly on and off is embellished with abalone and black beads with silver face, or silver tone or gold tone with a white face. The watch has easy-to-read black numerals and is priced at $60.
Another practical item with a unique twist is the folding grocery cart with a flip-down seat, allowing the shopper to take a rest while carting groceries or laundry. Constructed of lightweight aluminum, the cart folds compactly when not in use and costs $100.
"No miracles, no cures, we just make life a little easier," is Independent Living Aids' motto. The 31-year-old company (www.independentliving.com, (800) 537-2118) specializes in items for people with low vision. One big seller is a writing guide kit containing plastic templates for letter writing, signature, check writing and envelope writing at $7.95.
A popular item is the "Designer Talking Atomic Clock and Calendar" sporting a large digital display of the time, day and date while also announcing the time in a clear voice. It costs $37.95. Also popular is a talking microwave oven, priced at $139.95.
Looking for some big-ticket items for older relatives? Elderluxe (www.elderluxe.com, (888) 537-5893), a Chicago-based online company less than a year old, aims to please active, aging adults accustomed to high-end living.
"If you've been operating a Lexus, the last thing you want is a Chevrolet in a walker," explained Patrick Conboy, president of the company. "Why should things change once you reach a certain age?"
Check out the combination shopping cart/tote in chocolate and robin-egg blue plaid or animal prints. Designed by a French company, it brings trend-setting chic to mundane jaunts to the grocery store and is priced at $70.
The Lola Ladybug walking cane ($120) is capped with a bejeweled ladybug and has three interchangeable shaft colors.
An Art Sodoku game, $20, challenges players with images, many from artists in the Liechtenstein Museum collection, instead of numbers.
For the guy who really has everything, how about the ultimate ROBO chair, a recliner that massages you from head to each individual toe at the command of your voice. The $6,200 price tag might upset the holiday budget a bit but is guaranteed to relax any anxiety you might have about the credit-card bill.