This list breaks caregiver gift ideas into 3 main areas of caregiving.
Think surgeries, hospitalizations etc.
Think occasionally taking Mom to the Dr., Or buying Groceries for Dad, etc.
Think Dementia, Cancer, hospice care, etc.
For Immediate Caregiving Needs
When a loved one has surgery or hospitalized, getting the caregiver flowers isn’t always the best. They are spending a lot of time at the hospital, or their loved one’s home and aren’t around to appreciate the flowers. Here are 5 gifts to do instead.
1) Hospital Comfort Bag
We at Courageously Living, used to carry a Comfort Hospital Bag, but decided to pivot away from selling items with food.
That said, they are still one of the most useful gifts you can give. If you want to create your own here is DIY list of items that are helpful to include.
Does it look as pretty as a box filled with goodies? No.
However, being able to pick it up and go to the hospital is way more useful.
Than a box full of goodies sitting at home.
The Why: When someone is waiting for a loved one who is having surgery, or it’s difficult to leave leave their bedside, having a bag full of useful items is appreciated.
A personal note from our founder, Tara:
When my grandparents were in and out of the hospital before they passed, we always had a bag packed and ready to go. We got really good at knowing what was useful to have at the hospital. I highly recommend if you have the time to create this gift, do so. Because they won’t have the time and and they are already likely feeling overwhelmed.
2) Gift Card for Food Delivery Service
The Why: When a loved one is in the hospital by the time they get home the last thing they want to is cook. Getting them a gift card for delivery is a great option.
3) Gift Card for Amazon (or Target, Walmart etc)
The Why: A lot of times when someone is release from the hospital there is aftercare that the family is expected to do. Most of time they have to go buy things to help with wound care, monitoring or even extra bedding as sheets have to be changed frequently so they don’t get an infection.
4) Offer to let out the dog, feed the cat or take their kids to an activity
The Why: Being at the hospital for long periods of time can be challenging to get day to day responsibilities done. Offering to help let the dog out, feed the cat or taking their kids to an actively can help alleviate some of the stress they are under.
5) Offer to make them a meal.
You will have to take into account dietary restrictions.
A great way to offer this is to say something like: “Would you like be to bring dinner tonight or on Wednesday? Is tacos (or whatever you were thinking of making) okay? I can drop it at the door and you don’t have to talk to me. Unless you want to.” Be prepared for them to decline your offer, sometimes it’s just too much. Ask again later.
The Why: Having a meal they don’t have to make is helpful. But if you leave it totally open ended like “Do you want me to make a meal for you sometime?” It can be too much for them to have to come up with answers for. Conversely, if you just show up with a chicken soup and they are vegetarian it won’t get eaten. Giving them suggestions of two days and a meal choice, makes it easier on the caregiver.
A personal note from our founder, Tara:
When my mom had emergency open heart surgery, someone offered to cook us a meal for the night she was released from the hospital. I was already overwhelmed. I asked if they would be willing to make the meal for us in a couple of days. They were glad to. The night my mom came home from the hospital was a blur. I wouldn’t have remembered the meal. But when they dropped it off a few nights later, it was welcomed, I still remember it, and their kindness.
Intermittent Caregiving
If someone is occasionally going grocery shopping, cooking a meal or taking someone to a dr appointment, it can be considered Intermittent Caregiving. This type of caregiving can last for years, and is often the least talked about. Acknowledging a family member doing this type of family caregiving can really brighten someone’s day.
6) Thinking of You Card
The Why: Caregiving can be extremely lonely. Sending a “Thinking of You” card can brighten someone’s day, without them feeling obligated to respond to the sender. When you’re doing caregiving, you rarely have the bandwidth to reach out to others. A card is a great way to show you care, and aren’t expecting any acknowledgement.
Go to Postable.com to send your own card.
7) Spa gift Card
The Why: This is special treat to have some one acknowledge the caregiver’s physical, or mental health. Just being allowed to be pampered themselves can make a big difference in their caregiving responsibilities.
8) Flowers
The Why: This is a great time to send someone flowers to let them know you are thinking about them. Chances are they are home enough to be able to enjoy them. Unlike with Immediate and Intense Caregiving there is so much happening during those times that flowers aren’t a high priority.
9) Gift Card to their favorite restaurant
The Why: This is similar to the above get of flowers. During Intermittent Caregiving, they are more likely to have time to go out their favorite restaurant and enjoy a meal.
10) Scheduling time to get together
The Why: According to surveys done in the USA and the UK most Caregivers end up losing their support network while doing caregiving. Because of cancelled plans and unpredictable responsibilities.
Caregiving is often an unspoken lonely time.
Scheduling time and being okay if plans change helps keep the caregiver’s social support front and center.
This is probably one the times that they won’t actively reciprocate asking to get together.
Be the friend that shows up for them for the long term.
Intense Caregiving/Long Term Caregiving
When a loved one needs several hours of care during the day or around the clock care, is on palliative or hospice care, the main focus is on their loved one. Most of time the caregiver’s own needs get put on hold.
11) Offer to sit with their loved one
If you’re close to the caregiver, or the person they are caring for. Offer to sit with the loved one so the caregiver can take nap, run an errand or even take a longer shower.
The Why: Depending on what is going on, the caregiver, might not want to or be able to leave their loved one unattended. You being willing to sit with them, can be huge to the caregiver.
It can be hard for the caregiver to accept help though, so you might have have to offer a few times. And offer a suggestion, like “ Why I don’t come over and sit with your Dad for a bit, so you can run a few errands.” Or “How about I come over and talk with Auntie so you can take a nap.”
12) Gift Card for Food Delivery Service- if they live in a metro/suburban area.
The Why: Chances are they have made sure their loved one has meals, but they probably haven’t thought of anything to eat themselves. Being able to order food is one less stress they have to worry about.
13) Offer to make them a meal.
You will have to take into account dietary restrictions.
A great way to offer this is to say something like: “Would you like be to bring dinner tonight or on Wednesday? Is tacos (or whatever you were thinking of making) okay? I can drop it at the door and you don’t have to talk to me. Unless you want to.” Be prepared for them to decline your offer, sometimes it’s just too much. Ask again later.
The Why:
Having a meal they don’t have to make is helpful. But if you leave it totally open ended like “Do you want me to make a meal for you sometime?” It can be too much for them to have to come up with answers for. Conversely, if you just show up with a chicken soup and they are vegetarian it won’t get eaten. Giving them suggestions of two days and a meal choice, makes it easier on the caregiver.
14) Send them a text telling them you are checking in on them.
The Why: Sometimes seeing a friendly text is the only positive thing they had that day.
However it’s super important to tell them you don’t expect an answer and be okay with them not getting back you.
15) Caregiver’s Cards Gift Set
Always a great gift for any family caregiver.
The Why: Caregiving takes a huge emotional toll on the caregiver. These cards are designed specifically for the caregiver to open when they could some extra support.
A personal note from our founder, Tara: When I was doing Immediate and Intense Caregiving for my Grandparents and my Mom I wanted something or someone to acknowledge what I was going through, especially the doubts and overwhelm that is so common with caregivers. But there was nothing. I created these cards because I was wishing there was something like them.