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A Gift Guide for the Caregivers in Your Life

Help them restore and replenish with these ideas

Put together a package of bath salts, oils and lotions to encourage a caregiver to take a relaxing soak. Klaus Tiedge Want to give a family caregiver a meaningful present? I've been a caregiver for various family members for more than 35 years, and I would be happy to receive any (or all!) of these items. Here are some ideas for gifts that might be helpful or encouraging for the caregivers in your life, grouped around a few of the things that, in my experience, caregivers need most. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.

1 Relaxation

Aromatherapy diffuser and essential oil. Research indicates lavender can be relaxing and promote better quality sleep. People also use vanilla, chamomile, rose or geranium for relaxation. I like the ultrasonic diffusers that use water to diffuse the oil into the air. Make sure a diffuser can be used safely, with a wide, stable base that won't topple over easily. You'll also want one that can run without bright lights and emits continuous mist all night (eight to 10 hours). A hot bath. Make a package of bath salts, oils and lotions with a note encouraging the caregiver to take a relaxing bath before bed. Relaxation and meditation aids. A sound machine producing white noise or nature sounds can help calm the mind or drown out distracting noises. Meditation and self-hypnosis apps can calm and distract a worried mind. For example, I go to sleep with every night, and I played it for my dad when he was living with Alzheimer's. Other apps to consider are , , and . Alarm and notification gadgets. It's important for caregivers to feel confident that even if they sleep soundly, they will wake up if needed. Useful products include floor-mat alarms, bed- or chair-pad alarms, motion-sensor alarms, door alarms, audio monitors and video camera monitors. , , , and deliver all the ingredients for a meal with cooking instructions. does the same, with a focus on organic and non-GMO ingredients. You can also order prepared meals for delivery from companies like , or (which specializes in meeting the nutritional needs of people 50 and over). Check for plans that address special dietary needs like gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan or low-carb meals. Some even offer meals that fit the keto or paleo plans. Paid care. It's best to let the caregivers in your life choose their own paid care providers (AARP and the Alzheimer's Association's is a good place to start looking), but you might help research options and pay the bill. Even just a few off-duty hours a week can make a big difference for a family caregiver. Your time. Offer to take over caregiving duties for a period of time. If you're not comfortable providing care by yourself, offer to come by and assist. It can be a huge help to have an extra pair of hands. Home food delivery is a great gift for a busy caregiver. Catherine Yeulet Too far away for that? Offer to research health conditions and treatments, find the best price for caregiving supplies, shop online for clothing or order groceries to be delivered. You could also help caregivers find free or affordable ongoing or by contacting their local Area Agency on Aging (search in the , a federal directory of services for seniors). Fun and pampering. Make a gift of a spa day, massage, mani-pedi, movie or theater tickets, a garden tour, wine-and-paint date or round of golf — whatever the caregivers in your life enjoy. If they have a gift certificate to use or an outing to look forward to (schedule it for them!), they might actually make the time to follow through. It's nice to also help arrange for care so taking a break is feasible.

3 Comfort and joy

Gift basket or treat-of-the-month club. From cookies to cheeses to wine or beer, it's always a lift to get something yummy in the mail. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe , , or the Senior Shower Project's . You can order cards online and have them sent directly to a caregiver. A funny book or movie. Laughter is good for the body and soul. Think about the caregivers’ taste in humor, of course — they may not laugh at the same things you find funny. Decorations. Help busy caregivers decorate for the holidays — or do it for them — so they can more fully experience seasonal joys. Caregivers often feel invisible, so, honestly, even the smallest gift, if it shows you are thinking of them and you appreciate the effort they're making for their (and perhaps your) loved ones, is a beautiful thing. Editor's note: This column, originally published in December 2016, has been updated with new gift ideas. MORE FROM AARP AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS