Elderly Home Donations...Need Ideas Please!

We are doing something silimar next week. I suggest you call the home you will be visiting and get ideas frim them. Be careful with foods and candy because there are a ton of dietary restrictions. We were told the residents love to have wreaths for their door. Especially residents who don't get many visitors. You would probably be safe with slippers, sweaters, toothbrushes, crossword puzzels, and a stuffed animal. Apparently the older folks like to have stuffed animals :-)

Honestly, I would call the nursing home and ask exactly what they need. You'd be surprised by what they are in need of. When we volunteered at a nursing home, we were surprised with what they wanted. I'm SO glad we called, because we were going to do something totally different.

Hi! Here are some of the things we try to collect for the home we do for---
Hard candies
Cookies
Diabetic versions for those who need it
Lotion
Chapstick
Decks of cards
Puzzle books
Magazines, don't forget sports ones too
Puzzles
Warm socks
The list can go on but you get the idea. We get them things the state doesn't supply and things that their allowance can't stretch far enough to cover. We have also done things like build them a raised bed garden, and make sure they have enough seed for their bird feeders. My daughter bakes them cookies occasionally. I've brought soft pretzels. How many people are in the home? We only have eleven and one time I worked a deal with the butcher and scored little filets for them. Chewable beef is not generally in the budget at places like that.
If you want to make a basket you can make a TV one with old episodes of Lucy or Bonanza or whatever and add some popcorn and other junk food for them to enjoy. Or a game basket, things they can interact with each other. Junk food is always appreciated!

Whatever you choose just be mindful of vision and dexterity. The boys will have fun and learn a lot!

When we(a local club) used to bring things to the nursing home they loved fresh fruit. Depending on the area, the less wealthy ones such as this one got mostly canned fruit and veggies so the patients loved the oranges etc. you could even call the local grocery stores to see if they are wiling to donate. Other things are sugar free candy, socks, books, maybe crochet materials, board games, cards, movies.

Great to hear that your son's football team is volunteering. I used to work as an activity director at a retirement home. It is important to understand the mobility of the individuals in the home. I agree with others, call the facility to understand what their needs are.

Kim
S. - Cake Decorating P.

slippers/slippersocks, puzzle books, blankets. Different homes will have different needs and rules so check what is needed and also what is allowed.

Joannna,

What a great thing to do! Why not call the nursing home and speak to the director and ask what they need or would most like to have. Also, be sure to ask what things may not be allowed for safety and medical reasons (nuts-allergen and a potential choking hazard, for example).

This will be a wonderful thing for the boys and for the residents of the home!

J. F.

One year, our Sunday School went caroling at one of the nursing homes....

As "gifts", we took socks and bananas....... almost anyone can use the athletic type socks. And... many nursing home residents don't have frequent visitors, or ones that are caring for their needs.

Each resident that we stopped in to sing for got a pair of socks and a banana. (Btw....our Sunday School teacher has been the physician at this nursing home for many years.... he probably suggested it.)

I would call the nursing home and see what items they could use as donations.