Gifts for Moms with Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease affects both memory and cognitive function in older people. This means that gift-giving becomes more difficult as the disease progresses and your loved one becomes less interested and aware than she was before. Adjust your gifts for mom to tailor to her Alzheimer's so she can enjoy the experience.

Early Stages

• In the early stages of Alzheimer's, your mom will be easier to buy things for. She will be able to interact with you, but it is important to remember that she will have a harder time following things than she used to. You should give gifts that are simple but also enjoyable. Tickets to easy-to-follow events such as ballets and sporting events are appropriate (if that matches her interests) as are days out in general. Simple games like dominoes and Yahtzee are also good--anything that gets her interacting and having fun without being too complex to remind her of the illness.

Middle Stages

• When your mom becomes more impaired, it becomes important to focus on practicality. This means that easy-to-don clothing becomes an excellent gift. Slippers that you don't need to tie or buckle are good as are tube socks, which are easier to put on correctly. Of course, it's not all about practicality. Try to give her things that revive memories, too, such as old photos, MP3s of old songs and other things that will help remind her of her life.

Late Stages

• In the late stages, Alzheimer's patients regress a great deal. This is where things become sad for you, but you can still give appropriate gifts by focusing on what she enjoys now, not what she enjoyed 10 years ago. Late-stage Alzheimer's patients are often tactile. Lotions make excellent gifts as do dolls and stuffed animals. Many Alzheimer's patients also enjoy a visit from a real animal such as a dog or a cat. The bottom line is that you need to focus on pleasant things that your mom can enjoy now.