The gift of Time is always nice. I have always noticed people who can't get out and about enjoy visits the most.   There is a carehome beside my inlaws condo and there is a little pretty park across the street with a pond (a couple of ducks usually there) when visitors take the residents often.

I know the photo calendar idea is great for anyone, dementia or not.  My sil made one for my fil for xmas and he loves it.     What about a digital photo frame with the changing photos?   My mil likes the screen saver on their computer that goes though all the photos (mostly the grandkids)  so when the prices come down on the larger photo ones we will get her one.

Normally for mothers day I do hanging baskets or something for the garden for my mom. traditional for me.  She likes it. I started the same thing, asking for hanging baskets since I will buy them anyways.  and they are reasonably priced.  hopefully it stops freezing by then.

I ordered the black sheep squadron dvd set for mil.  discovered they had it at columbia house and I have a credit of about $25.  She likes that show alot and loves dvds.

maybe a lap quilt would be nice?

I made a photocalender for my family, I think in 2002?   My mom keeps it up still, I had put all the birthdays on, she uses it for her birthday calender!   I made each page collages, photos of my parents, the 8 kids, and the grandkids.  Now there are 20 grandkids, 19 earthly, one in heaven.  

I was wondering,Pat, I know you sew, does she have a quilted pocket for a book, you slide a piece of cloth between the mattress and box spring, the pocket is big enough for a book  and can be quilted or just a double layer of nice fabric?  They are handy, if she wears glasses it is nice to stash your book and glasses.  I think you could find measurements online.  It wouold be something she could open-

Here's a rather fancy one-

http://www.goldviolin.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=90333 

I like this one-

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat13851&PRODID=xprd73091 

latenightleader:

I was wondering,Pat, I know you sew, does she have a quilted pocket for a book

Thanks for the idea, but her Alzheimer's is getting worse quickly now. I don't know if she would understand what it was for or remember to use it.

I am a Continuing Care Aid for Home Care. I have also had a father and a mother in law pass away from Alzheimers.

I see many families bring the most impractical gifts for there families

I have included a list of things I have found that are practical, useful and apreciated.

Cd's or cassette of favorite music

Easy to wear clothing, nothing hand wash or beaded as laundry will not recieve special care, large buttons, velcro and stretchy material is best

Night lights

 These are a godsend when assisting someone to bathe-Hand held showers/tub chair

Safety bars for tub/shower

Bath products, lip balm

If they are appropriate depends, pads etc

Magazines that are easy to read

Not sure of the name but they are at most dollar stores they are a cord with a clip at the end that holds your keys around the neck

Covers for eating to keep there clothes neat, preferably something witha tasteful pattern, we do not want them to look like bibs

a jar opener, thick handled eating utensils

a safety sweep of there house including new batteries for there smoke detector, backing for all the rugs and lights in all hallways

taxi fare if they no longer drive

Life line is a service that allows clients to wear a  button on there wrist that they can push if they ever fall or are lost. Most states have a similiar service they are just under a different name. Cost varies, also Radio shack has a necklace style one that seems to be very good.

Anything that makes the client/caregivers life easier...

Hope it helps

Happy

 Thanks, Happy. That gives me some ideas to go on.