For much of our lives as we grew up our mother’s were our caretakers. They cooked our meals, cleaned our homes, mended our injuries, and provided us with emotional support. With the passage of time, many of us have found ourselves in a reversal of roles as a child now caring for an aging mother or grandmother.

As another spring blossoms, our thoughts turn to our mother’s and all they have done for us. As a caregiver, however, it can be difficult to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift that accurately portrays how we feel. What do you get someone who has stored up a lifetime of personal mementos?

Gifts Ideas to Help Pass Time:

Whether your mother is retired, living at home alone, or living in a care facility, there’s a good chance she could use some ideas of how to pass her free time. If this is the case, here’s three gift ideas for your mom.

Electronic Tablet:

Whether or not your mother feels comfortable using technology, a tablet is an easy and versatile way to pass time. If she is reluctant to learn, this may be an excellent excuse to let the grandkids spend some one-on-one time with their grandma teaching her how to use it. Pre-select and download apps that align with her interests and install a video chat program that makes it easy for her to stay connected with family and friends.

E-book or Audiobook Subscription:

Download an e-book or audiobook program onto mom’s device. Reading e-books (or listening to audiobooks if e-books are too hard on the eyes) is an easier alternative to sifting through old boxes of books and a fun way to pass the time. E-books can stay with her if she ever needs to switch devices and allows her to easily find new books without ever leaving the house. To get started, have the family contribute to a list of favorite book recommendations.

Magazine subscriptions:

Does your mother enjoy learning and discovering new things? Give her a subscription to a magazine of a subject she loves. Magazines are a unique way to see the world and learn new things while offering something exciting to look forward to.

Gift Ideas to keep the Mind and Body Active:

As we get older, it’s important to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, both of the body and of the mind. Regardless of your mother’s level of activity, you can find a gift that stimulates physical or mental fitness.

Fitness Tracker:

Who doesn’t love counting their steps each day? Get mom a fitness tracking watch so that she can join in the fun of tracking her daily activity. Be sure to set it up beforehand to reward a daily step goal and show her how to use each feature. You can even create a fun family competition using the social features to connect with her family and friends.

Puzzle Books:

Encouraging brain activity is crucial for healthy aging. Mental stimulation books and games can help keep the mind sharp while offering a sense of amusement and accomplishment. Large-print Sudoku, Crossword Puzzles, and Jigsaw puzzles make great Mother’s Day gifts, especially for those who live a largely sedentary lifestyle.

Outdoor Walker-Rollator:

Limited mobility is a common byproduct of aging and can also lead to fear of going outside. If you notice that your mother is reluctant to leave the house or uses walls and furniture to get around the house, she might be a prime candidate to use a walker or rollator. If this is the case, check out our recommendations on how to choose the right walker-rollator to ensure you get a walking device that mom will be proud of!

Gift Ideas that are Meaningful and Personal:

Everyone loves gifts that are meaningful and from the heart. Gifts that are personal in nature and have sentimental value will increase happiness and forge a sense of connectiveness between gift giver and receiver.

Homemade Cards:

If mom has grandchildren, round them up and ask them to create fun homemade cards for grandma. Ask the grandchildren to include favorite memories with their grandma or decorate picture frames with their favorite family photos.

Digital Photos:

Chances are that mom has old shoe boxes filled with photo albums. Make these photos easier to access and share by scanning and creating digital copies. You may find yourself spending hours bonding together over treasured family memories.

Quality Time:

Sometime the best gift of all doesn’t have a price tag, but is measured in time. Planning a fun day spent with mom (outside of your usual time spent around the house) is a meaningful way to show someone you care. Plan activities surrounding her favorite hobbies or choose to relive some of your most cherished moments together.

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Gift Ideas that Make Life Easier:

With a growing population of aging adults who are choosing to age in place at home, assistive devices are playing an ever-growing role in home safety. The number one cause of hospitalizations in adults over the age of 65 is falling, which makes assistive devices like bed rails, walkers, grab bars, and standing aids crucial to a loved-one’s safety. To learn more about ways you can prevent falls in the home, read our Guide for Caregivers on Fall Prevention. But first, here’s a few of our favorite fall prevention solutions for mom.

The Assist-A-Tray:

The Assist-A-Tray features a large and sturdy handle that lends balance and support when sitting or standing from a couch or chair. Best of all, it also features an oversized bamboo TV tray that is convenient to use whether or not mom has mobility challenges. The swiveling tray table is a great non-assuming gift that can be used to eat meals, enjoy a crafting project, or surf the web from her favorite chair.

Let’s Go Indoor Rollator:

The Let’s Go Indoor Rollator (pictured above) is one of the most unique walking aids available! Not only does it provide walking assistance and support to stand up, but also features a removable tray and basket to trolley personal items around the house. With such ease and convenience, mom won’t ever need to worry about spilling a beverage again!

Security Pole and Curve Grab Bar:

While there may not be a “one-size fits all” solution to home safety and fall prevention, the Security Pole and Curve Grab Bar is the closest thing to it! The two-in-one grab bar and transfer pole is tension-mounted so there’s no need to screw holes into walls, floors, or ceilings. The pole can be installed within minutes and used anywhere in the house. Whether mom needs help getting out of the shower, off the toilet, out of bed, or up from her chair, the Security Pole and Curve Grab Bar is the perfect solution.

Get Matched with Mother’s Day Gifts

Assistive devices are fantastic tools that not only create a safer environment but also help to enhance quality of life. Of course, you don’t need a special occasion to gift a parent or grandparent an assistive device.

If you are unaware of what assistive solutions would be best for your mother, take our Mother’s Day Gift Idea Quiz. By answering a few questions about your mom, we will recommend the best Mother’s Day gifts most suited to her needs and lifestyle.