Welcome to Caregiving Club’s 4^th Annual Holiday Gift Guide. Our gift guide is presented with three categories: Wellness for Caregivers, Wellness for Older Adults and Wellness for Home. You can also watch the commentary from our CEO, Sherri Snelling, in video format at the beginning of each section. And, we included at the end links to our previous Holiday Gift Guides for more great gift ideas this season!

We are highlighting our picks for best Caregiver Wellness Gifts by choosing things that fit into our 5 senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. In my book, “Me Time Monday,” I write about the natural soothing calm we get when we immerse ourselves in nature and by engaging the five senses. These gift ideas embrace that wellness philosophy.

1. Soft Touch

Touch can bring comfort. And during cold winter days and nights, keeping hands warm is soothing when you might be stressed.

We found these Cozy stylish comfortable mittens from Apparis called Coco Mittens, a brand known for its sustainability and eco-friendliness. These faux fur colorful mittens keep your hands fashionably warm but functioning with a flip top so fingers can access, doors, keys and phones. Perfect to brighten your day and keep you warm. Oprah had them on her holiday gift list this year too!

2. Calming Wearable Scent

Scent is one of our most powerful of the 5 senses that can trigger memories but also feelings of calm or energy. The science of aromatheraoy has been used since the ancient Egyptians who found tha scents such as lavender offered healing properties.

The latest trend in aromatherapy is almost designed with busy caregivers in mind. It is a wearable patch that allows you to make your scent portable and able to delight your nose no matter where you are.

We like The Good Patch in “Relax.” This is a plant-powered wearable wellness patch for stressful days. It is perfect for unwinding and decompressing after a long day.

Each patch is infused with adaptogenic herbs that are natural substances that may support your body’s ability to adapt to and manage physical and emotional stress.

Peel and place one patch on inside of wrist, or any venous area (where you find veins) that is clean and dry. The patch may be worn up to 12 hours and when done, simply peel the patch off and discard.

3. The Sound of Good Vibrations

Sounds can be soothing, energizing, calming, stimulating or meditative and a powerful weapon in fighting stress.

Our gift idea is in the new wellness trend of Sound Baths which are a holistic health practice that uses instruments like gongs, singing bowls, and chimes to create a calming, immersive sound. The goal is to help people focus on the sounds and vibrations to shift from feeling stressed to feeling deeply relaxed. Benefits include calming, stress reduction, lowered anxiety and improved sleep.

There are a few ways to practice sound bathing:

>A session led by an expert either in a home, spa or outdoor venue – these can be solo or group sessions (think of it like a massage or yoga that you have a yogi lead you or a masseuse perform).

>For solo sessions you can take a class to learn how to practice sound bathing on your own and then create a sanctuary place in your home or yard with the tools from the Sound Healing Lab to help you immerse yourself in sound vibrations and relaxation.

During a group session, participants typically sit or lie down on a mat or cushion. You can wear loose clothing or soft yoga leggings, and bring a wrap or wear socks to stay warm. You can also bring an eye pillow or a small blanket to help you feel more comfortable.

We offer information on where to purchase your own sound bath tools or you can search for local professionals for an individual or group session.

4. Banish Blue Light for Better Sleep

As I write in my book, many people do not realize how important sight is when it comes to sleep.  The digital and electronic technology that we use every day and into the night, actually emit a blue light that prohibits the brain from getting to sleep because it suppresses melotonin production. However, unplugging from all our blue light emitting items – such as smart phones, TVs, laptop computers, house lights and even the light inside our fridge – at least 3 hours before bedtime can be hard for some. But there is a solution.

We found the Brooklyn Blue Light Blocking Glasses from Boncharge. These glasses block 100% of melatonin disrupting blue and green light from 400 nanometers to 550 nanometers for optimized sleep, recovery and relaxation. Whether you are watching TV, reading or checking social media, wear these glasses at last 2-3 hours before your bedtime to lower melatonin release to get a restful 7-8 hours of restorative sleep.

$99.95 (non-prescription)

$119.95 (readers)

$169.95 (prescription lens)

And don’t forget to buy my book “Me Time Monday – The Weekly Wellness Plan to Find Balance and Joy for a Busy Life” on Amazon for $32 – $42

5. Digital Taste Tracker

When it comes to taste, for many caregivers nutrition means fast food or eating at odd hours or skipping meals. Getting the right nutrition and healthy eating is tough especially with no time to make meals (which means caregiver also miss out on the social benefit of eating a meal with others).

One way to get in touch with your tastebuds and become more knowledgeable about your body’s ability to turn calories into fuel is a new device – a metabolic tracker from Lumen.

The Lumen device uses a CO₂ sensor and flow meter to determine the CO₂ concentration in your breath, letting you know if you are burning carbs or fats for energy in real-time. Lumen’s unique technology has been validated to match the gold standard for metabolic measurement, giving you access to lab-level insights from your home. It has been validated by peer-reviewed scientific research and its performance meets the gold-standard metabolic cart. You can receive tailored your personal nutrition plans updated daily, do macro tracking and meal suggestions (if you are on a keto diet), gain insights and recommendations for smarter habit formation; receive metabolic coaching and support. The device Integrates with Apple Health, Google Fit, and Garmin wearables and apps.

6. Banish Bad Hair Days

The following two bonus gift ideas are personal tips from my Caregiver Diary. My hair has never behaved even on good days. As a caregiver who has time for blow outs and even washing your hair every day? (not me).

My default is a messy ponytail and these holders from SLIP that are made of silk (same brand that makes the pillow cases great for hair and facial soothing during sleep). The silk fabric ensures your hair will not suffer breakage like other hair bands and yet they keep the pony in place (other brands I have tried made of slip or satin slip off your hair if worn all day).

My other “go to” is dry shampoo which I believe is the best invention since the Q-tip. My favorite brand is Kerastase but the smell is heavenly and when my hair is not smelling heavenly – a few sprays of this magic shampoo and I’m good to go.

And finally, I recommend hats – who doesn’t love a good hat for a bad hair day? Your hat says something about you – are you a cowgirl in a cool Stetson or a baller in a baseball cap? My BFF is a Fedora fanatic. During the winter, I visualize myself as Julie Christie in “Dr. Zhivago” with a chic faux fur bucket hat. Become a mad hatter, make a statement and look good in the process.

7. Caregiver Wellness “Go Bag”

And finally, as a gerontologist I conduct educational webinars on emergency planning for older adults and one of the key tools is always having a “go bag” ready just in case. The same applies for busy, overwhelmed caregivers although the items may be a little different.

Caregivers are constantly on the go and on call. You never know when a loved one may end up in the ER or have multiple doctor appointments – all of which typically entail spending hours in a waiting room.

It is important to plan ahead for these “emergencies” with a caregiver wellness to-go bag – a backpack that includes all the elements you might need to stay hydrated, nourished, warm, relaxed and comforted. Keep it in your car or by the door.

As see in the graphic my caregiver wellness go bag has a coastal vibe which always makes me feel better. This is a great gift idea – personalize one for the caregiver in your life.

Family caregivers actually influence or purchase 97% of helpful products for older adults – especially to help them stay in their homes as long as possible. Often caregivers do not even know what is available or why certain products are beneficial for their aging loved ones. This holiday gift guide is for both Older Adults and Family Caregivers and includes our 7 top gift picks this year.

1. Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Touch becomes one of the most important senses as we age. Especially for older adults who typically have less of a fat layer, a slower metabolism, less circulation in extremities like hands – keeping warm is essential during the winter months.

However, rather than turning up the thermometer (which increases your energy cost) try to his Snuggle Heavyweight Heated Fleece Electric Hooded Blanket from Marks & Spencer.

This high-tech soft touch poncho boasts six heat settings so you can choose the right temperature for you whether inside or outside.

Perfect for an older loved one – it has a hood for head warmth, front pocket to hold glasses or a smartphone and poncho style for easy on and off and movement. You also don’t have to worry about falling asleep in the hoodie as it has an automatic shut-off control after three hours.

2. I Can See Clearly Now

Again as we age our eyes need not just more light (3 times at age 60 what we needed at age 20) but also better contrast and this is a huge factor in safe driving as we get older which is why we chose Nightglo Glasses with GlareCut Technology

Intense LED street lighting and glaring headlights of other cars, make night driving dangerous for older adults whose vision is altered with aging eyes that don’t see certain colors as well. In addition, driving at dusk or in fog, rain, or on a cloudy day can also cause problems as there is less contrast to differentiate streets from sidewalks or lanes not well identified.

The answer is yellow-tinted lenses to help to filter out blue light, the light most likely to cause glare when it enters the eye.

Nightglo yellow/orange glasses are one of the best because they use GlareCut technology based on optical gradient design. This gradient filtering introduces varying-density layers to adjust the transmittance of different light intensities gradually. These glasses can be worn 8 hours without any discomfort, they are lightweight and have a unique design that cuts peripheral light but can also be worn with prescription glasses.

3. Little Red Corvette

Mobility is a key issue that becomes more challenging with age. In fact, approximately 1/3 of 70-year-olds and most 80-year-olds report restrictions on mobility in their apartments, homes and immediate surroundings. Also, certain chronic conditions such as MS, Parkinson’s, neuropathy or if a loved one has fallen and needs assistance getting around is why we love the Novo wheelchair/walker

Known as the “Cadillac” of mobility chairs, this 19″ Nova transport chair has a carbon steel frame and padded nylon upholstery for stylish comfort in a compact yet sturdy design. But it is the function of the chair that has won fans. This mobility chair boasts a weight capacity of 300 pounds and easily folds with a quick release fold-down back. It has 8″ wheels with rear locking wheels and easy adjustable swing-away footrest and non-skid foot plates. And it has padded fixed full-length arms for added comfort with hand brakes.

4. You’ll Fall for this Smart Wearable

One in four adults over age 65 will fall and 60% of Alzheimer’s adults will wander. But, if you want to help your loved one stay at home and maintain independence technology – specifically smart wearables – is key.

I have been doing some consulting for Theora Care and have come to realize not all smart watches and other wearables are the same. Theora Care designed the Theora Connect smart wearable watch specifically for older adults and family caregivers. It uses the most advanced situational awareness technology: artificial intelligence and neural networking to personalize data; the most advanced GPS technology (great for dementia adults who wander) and Smart Fall Detection service which not only detects falls but can help to predict falls.

• Smart Fall Detection service can differentiate if wearer has voluntarily sat on the ground versus falling
• Automatic call service allows wearer to say whether they need help – if no response then emergency services and family caregiver are contacted
• Watch also shows biometric data such as steps, date, time
• 24/7 SOS support as well as text, calls, weather news

5. Moonglow – Dementia Friendly Home Design

Insomnia, as well as other types of sleep disturbances, often affect dementia patients. Between 25-30% of dementia patients also report insomnia.

Bright Light Therapy (BLT) is a form of therapy in which patients are exposed to daylight or artificial light by using a special lamp. BLT is typically used in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of seasonal depression that occurs primarily during the winter. For dementia adults lack of sleep leads to depression, aggression, and anxiety leading to episodes such as “sundowning” and general agitation.

Which is why we chose the Moon-themed BLT Lamp as our next choice. This lamp will help with:

• General cognitive abilities improved with 90 minutes of therapy for as little as five days by improving circadian rhythms 
• This moon-designed lamp has 10,000 LUX brightness, mimicking the energizing effects of natural light
• Remote control allows for three light temperatures (daylight, natural light, warm light) that can be set to a timer (10 – 90 minutes)
• The moon design is more engaging than typical light therapy flat lamps. The moon globe and wooden base evoke a sense of wonder and tranquility that recalls memories of nature.

6. Dementia Friendly TV

For most mid and late-stage Alzheimer’s adults, it becomes frustrating and difficult to follow typical storylines of many TV programs. And news reports do not provide the visual stimulation that engages a dementia adult. Complex plots, quick cuts and confusing dialogue do not engage someone with dementia which is why we love two solutions from content innovators: Zinnia TV and Memory Lane TV.

ZINNIA TV is named for the zinnia flower that blooms in even the harshest conditions. Zinnia TV helps people flourish beyond their Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Offering more than 500 videos on visual topics such as animals, nature, baseball, food, travel, nostalgia and other activities. Zinnia TV videos diminish agitation, foster connection and engagement to reduce loneliness, and helps ease daily activities. Zinnia TV can be watched on computers, tablets, smartphones or connected TVs via Apple TV, Roku, Firestick, Android TV.

MEMORY LANE TV is a multisensory and engaging series of 1,000+ hours of programs adapted for people living with memory loss and their care partners. Designed by artists, musicians, producers, and memory care professionals the content engages all the senses—sight, sound, taste, touch even smell—with guided imagery video and optional olfactory stimulation. Memory Lane TV does not tell a story; it invites viewers to create their own and you can pause the stream to share a memory, a question, or a moment of laughter.

7. Improve Balance via Your 6th Sense

Balance becomes an issue with age – everything from arthritis to Alzheimer’s can affect balance and if not improved may lead to harmful and deadly falls. For everyday activities, our muscles rely on signals sent from our brain and other physiological systems to perform – this is proprioception.

Earlier this year I met Mike Wing the COO of a company called Accelera that is the first wearable for older adults that uses proprioception – the body’s ability to sense joint position, movements, and actions. It is sometimes described as the “sixth sense.” Accelera uses electronic vibrational signals from the wearable to the brain. These vibration signals enhance the natural sensory feedback loop in the body by activating receptors in joints and muscles, resulting in better awareness of where the leg or arm is in space. By engaging the brain and signals to muscles and joints, Accelera can improve balance and movement and provide more freedom and independence. The wearable is lightweight and has an adjustable band that can be worn on the ankle, elbow or thigh. It can be worn while playing sports, taking a walk, or during your normal home and office activities.

As I wrote in my book, Me Time Monday, our homes are part of our 7 elements of wellness – they represent the Environmental Wellness that our brains seek. Creating well home design goes beyond making homes accessible and safe. It includes things like air care and biophilic design. By creating calming, soothing sanctuary places in our home, we improve our Environmental Wellness that leads to better physical and mental health. Here are our top 7 holiday gift picks for Wellness for the Home.

1. In the Air Tonight

During COVID air are and sanitizing the home became an important element of well home design. Many people of all ages suffer from allergies and asthma, which is why it is beneficial to have a good home air sanitizer. Older adults struggle with asthma because it is often misdiagnosed as COPD. As a lifelong asthma sufferer, I tried out the SterilAir Uvilizer Tower which is the top recommended device by Consumer Reports Magazine for removing toxins, germs, bacteria and viruses from your home. Here are the key features and benefits:

• 99.99% Sanitization using UVC technology and a powerful 38W ultraviolet disinfection lamp.
• Safeguard your home’s air quality and protect yourself, your family and your stuff from harmful germs, bacteria and viruses
• Disinfection coverage area of up to 200 square feet
• Wireless remote control
• No chemicals, toxins, odors or added pollution. No need to restock cleaning supplies, saving time, money, the environment
• To use just plug the power cable into the power outlet, select between 15, 30 and 60 minutes, exit the room during the 15 second beeping before it lights up and begins disinfecting. Once it powers off allow 30 minutes of ventilation before reentering the room its located in. (make sure pets are out of the room with you)

2. Beginning to See the Light

Lighting is one of the key elements of a well home. Especially for task areas such as the kitchen, bedroom, closets and reading nooks. As we age our eyes need three times the light as we did at age 20 making good lighting essential for older adults. Also, for busy caregivers, eye strain caused by bad lighting can exacerbate fatigue.

One solution is the LED Flashlight Gloves from Sharper Image – the ultimate hands-free solution for low light activities. These waterproof, adjustable gloves provide you with a third helping hand, making them perfect for working in the garage or attic, in your car or in areas where close-up good lighting is needed. The gloves offer a unisex design and breathable, skin-friendly fabric, they fit comfortably on any hand, in any season. Each glove features two ultra-bright LED beads and an easy ON/OFF button for maximum convenience.

3. It’s a Dirty Business

One of the best wellness practices is getting your hands into the dirt of the earth. It is soothing and life-affirming and part of the wellness trend known as “biophilia” which means “love of nature, love of life.” Whether you have a gorgeous outdoor garden or a small elevated garden bed or herb garden on your balcony, sitting outside in nature and creating beauty soothes the mind and soul.

For gardeners over age 50, it can also be a physically challenging activity to bend over to tend a garden whether it is arthritis or dizziness from medications. Which is why we love the foldable gardening seat and tool tote from Pottery Barn.

Designed to lighten your load, this all-in-one gardening kit provides a comfortable, low-to-the-ground seat with storage for five hand tools and much, much more like a water bottle to stay hydrated. Features include:

• Sturdy aluminum frame is lightweight and portable. It folds up in one quick movement for single-handed carrying from plot to plot.
• The detachable tote secures to the frame and features a roomy zippered interior plus exterior pockets to keep the five steel hand tools within easy reach.
• Made of polyester, steel and wood.
• Includes folding garden seat, storage tote, broad-face trowel, narrow-face trowel, garden fork, cultivator/rake and weeder.
• Storage tote detaches from seat for versatility and portability.

4. The Magic Touch

The simple wellness practice of dry brushing is proven to boost beauty and well-being throughout the body. It has great wellness benefits for adults of all ages including:

• Increased blood flow, smooth + exfoliated skin – Removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores, leaving skin feeling softer and smoother 
• Activates lymphatic drainage similar to massage – Dry brushing can help stimulate the lymphatic system, which is responsible for eliminating waste products from the body 
• Detoxification – Dry brushing can help detoxify the skin by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph flow. The massage action of dry brushing can boost circulation 
• Improved immunity Dry brushing can help detoxify the skin by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph flow 
• Boosted energy levels
• Brighter, more balanced skin

There are a variety of brushes – one with a handle to reach the back and a round version that can be easier to scrub in circular motions which is best for activating the lymphatic system. (Note: for older adults with arthritis, the circular brush may be hard to grip so go for the handle version. Also, since an older loved one has skin that is thinner make sure to get a brush with softer bristles.)

5. Suck It Up, Buttercup!

Big results in a small package which is why we love this Duck Compact Cordless Vacuum. Life is messy but if you are in a hurry or do not want to hassle with a full-size vacuum – Duck Vac has your back!

For older adults the lightweight vacuum is perfect for cleaning small messes or pet hair. For busy caregivers, spills in the car or anywhere are no problem with this portable vacuum. Its compact size makes it easy store in a kitchen drawer or car glove box. It is little but mighty – the ultra-powerful, strong suction is similar to full size vacuums. The unit is rechargeable, cordless, and supremely portable.

6. Scents and Sensibility

Whether is it an autumnal candle or mulling spices on the stove, the scents of the holiday season evoke memories and joy.

The Mulled Cider candle is from Joanna Gaines and her Magnolia Home Holiday collection. Sweet apple and subtle notes of cinnamon mingle to create the sweet scent. The 26 oz candle features three wicks and is great for the dining table or coffee table offering 110 hours depending on wick trimming.

The Williams Sonoma Mulling Spices combine the aromatic warmth of Jamaican allspice and Indonesian cinnamon and cloves with the vibrant tang of Turkish orange zest and American orange and cinnamon oils. A classic for making mulled apple cider or wine, the mix is also a delicious addition to eggnog, hot buttered rum, herbal tea, homemade fruit butter and home-brewed beer. I simmer these on my stove on low for a couple of hours to fill my home with the smells of the holiday!

7. Getting to Know You

Social health is proven to be the No. 1 things we can do to improve both physical and mental health. How well do you know your family and friends? By playing this analog card game – Fill Your Tank Road Trip Questions – you are getting a digital detox and improving your relationships at the same time! It is the power of hygge – or as the Danish call it “coziness” that I write about in my “Me Time Monday” book.

You don’t actually have to be in a car or RV to find fun and enlightenment on life’s journey! This card deck is aimed at cultivating authentic relationships between friends, families, strangers and players of all ages.  The cards – 75 double sided cards with 150 unique road trip questions – embody the mission of FYT: to bring people together and re-find the magic in human connection.  The cards inspire interesting conversation with questions such as:

“If you could describe your day in a color – what would it be and why?”

“What have you started and never finished and why?”

Play this at the dinner table, holiday party and of course, in the car. No more running on empty – learn what is important about those you love.

Previous Holiday Gift Guides

Check out our previous Holiday Gift Guides for 2023, 2022 and 2021 for more great gift ideas!

Read our 3rd Annual Holiday Gift Guide here

Read our 2^nd Annual Holiday Guides here

And read our 1^st Annual Holiday Gift Guide here

Shop Caregiving Club’s Friends

In addition to our holiday picks above, you will find great buys for the holidays and throughout the year at these retailers:

We hope you enjoyed our 4^th Annual 2024 Caregiving Club Holiday Gift Guide. Don’t forget to check out our previous year’s gift ideas. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and we hope you have joy all year long! Take care and stay well!