A lot changes when Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia becomes a part of your life. Possessions and gifts your loved one used to like may no longer be relevant to them. Whether you want to get your loved one a present for their birthday or to celebrate a milestone, finding the right gift can be a real challenge.

Members of myALZteam have shared some of their best gift ideas for people with dementia. Some of these ideas include activities like coloring books and jigsaw puzzles, a soft blanket, a photo album with family photos, and spa treatments. Read on for more gift ideas for your loved one.

Read on for more gift ideas for your loved one.

1. The Gift of Laughter

Laughter is good for both physical and mental health. It helps relieve stress and promotes a healthy heart. For people in the early stages of dementia, a jokebook or tickets to a comedy show could help bring some much-needed lightness to their day. You could even put together a collection of jokes you picked out for your loved one personally.

“When I was forced to retire due to Alzheimer’s, I received a book of dad jokes and a box of dad joke cards. Each day on Facebook, I post a ‘joke of the day’ from these gifts,” shared a member of myALZteam.

2. Worry Stones

Fidgeting is common among people with dementia as the disease progresses to later stages. If your loved one tends to fidget, you can give them something to do with their hands by gifting them a polished worry stone. These gemstones are shiny and smooth, perfect for carrying around in your pocket and rubbing with your fingers. They’re often branded with an inspirational word, like “believe,” “hope,” or “calm.”

One member of myALZteam wrote, “Our daughter and granddaughter came for a visit this morning. My granddaughter (21) gave me a gift of a little lavender gauze bag with two stones in it. One is a rubbing stone to ease stress. There’s a perfect indent for the thumb.”

If you’re not sure if your loved one would like a worry stone, there are so many different kinds of fidget toys that you could shop for.

3. Music

Music can be a great gift for people with Alzheimer’s disease, including those in the middle to late stages of dementia. Live music can be a great activity for you and your loved one to enjoy together. If you can’t take them to see live music, put together a playlist and set up a music player they can listen to at home. If your loved one is hard of hearing or uses hearing aids, consider gifting them a pair of headphones.

“Celebrating my loved one’s 73rd birthday,” said a myALZteam member. “We ate outside and listened to live music. It was mostly music from our time, so he remembered words or phrases to sing along a little bit. His birthday gift from me was met with great approval!”

Another caregiver wrote, “I hired a pianist to play all of her favorite songs for two hours. Best money I ever spent. I sat in awe as she sang along. My mother cannot articulate what she wants as she has lost a lot of her words … yet she could sing like a songbird. Two days later, she is still talking about the piano player and how it was her best birthday … and I think it was.”

4. A (Robotic) Pet

Pets can be an exciting and uplifting addition to people’s lives. For people in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s disease, owning a pet or getting visits from therapy animals provides comfort and helps with loneliness. In the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, robotic pets and stuffed animals are a great way to enjoy many of the same benefits without the responsibility.

“They had a ‘cat’ at the day care yesterday that Dad really liked a lot,” said a member of myALZteam. “It is mechanical and heavy and soft like a cat, and it meows occasionally. He has a birthday in May, so I ordered one.”

Another shared, “The therapy of the stress toy (a battery-operated kitty) is working with the anxieties that have been triggering her visions.”

5. Gifts From Nature

Some members of myALZteam have mentioned the healing effects of nature on their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease. “My loved one has deteriorated so much, but it makes me happy that he can still enjoy nature’s beauty,” said one member. “When we are out driving, he keeps saying how beautiful the trees and flowers are. It’s a gift that has not yet been taken from him.”

You can give your loved one the gift of nature without leaving the house by bringing them a small bouquet of fresh-cut flowers — either picked by you or store-bought. You can also take them out for a nature walk, an outdoor picnic, or a scenic drive. If there’s one takeaway from the journey with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s that the best things in life are free. Gifts don’t have to be expensive to be meaningful.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myALZteam, people share their experiences with Alzheimer’s disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What have you gifted your loved one with Alzheimer’s? If you have Alzheimer’s, what gifts would you like to receive? Let others know in the comments below.