Thoughtful COVID-19 Gifts For Those 65 And Up

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COVID-19 has created a terrible dilemma in which we can’t care for our loved ones that need the most care: the elderly. During a scary and uncertain time like this, your instinct is to go be with your mother or grandmother or great aunt and make sure she’s taken care of. But the very act of visiting her could be what puts her at risk, as you could be a carrier of the virus. Staying away from this vulnerable group feels completely wrong and negligent, but the reality is that visiting them is what’s truly negligent. But you still want to be helpful. You don’t want your loved ones in this age group to feel alone or forgotten. You want to touch their lives in some way, even when you can’t literally touch them. In comes the beauty of package delivery!

Whether you decide to pack something up and drop it in the mailbox yourself (taking the necessary precautions), or send something via Amazon and other online retail sites to a loved one, there are a lot of gifts that would be particularly useful and comforting to those 65-and-up right now. It can be nice to know that you have done something to make the day of these loved ones easier and just more pleasant, even when you can’t be there. We can’t do the things we’d normally do for this vulnerable group right now, like go over to their homes and make them lunch or walk their pets or clean up a bit. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still let them know you’re thinking of them, and want to help however you can. Here are gifts that aged 65-and-up will appreciate right now.

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Calming tea

These are very stressful times for everyone, and a nice cup of tea has a way of calming the nerves. Of course, there are varieties specifically meant to calm us down, like chamomile, SleepyTime tea, valerian root, lavender, and rosehip. If your loved one is struggling to wind down at night due to stress, these can be a thoughtful gift.

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InstaCart gift card

Maybe you live too far away to do the grocery shopping for your elderly friend, but you also certainly don’t want her going to the store herself, and risking getting sick. Send her an InstaCart gift card. You can send one over email, and she’ll have it in seconds. That’s one less trip she has to take to the store herself, thanks to you.

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GrubHub gift card

Just like you, sometimes your 65-and-up friend doesn’t feel like cooking. And that’s when a GrubHub gift card—or another applicable delivery service in her neighborhood—will come in handy. If she struggles to figure out how to use these, just ask her what she feels like eating, and order it for her.

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Good slippers

Since we’re all spending more time than ever inside right now, we’re likely wearing slippers more than regular shoes. That means your loved one’s slippers could become worn out quickly—if she even had a good pair to begin with. Order her a warm pair that’s easy to slip on with one hand, and that has good arch support.

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Potted herbs

Potted herbs fill multiple functions. First off, they just look pretty and add some uplifting greenery to a room. Second, they provide a small hobby and distraction, as the recipient will need to take care of them. And finally, they offer fresh herbs, at the windowsill, every day, so your friend doesn’t have to go to the store for those.

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Netflix or Hulu subscription

If your beloved 65-and-up friend doesn’t have her own Netflix or Hulu subscription, it could be time to get her one! The best gift of all will be walking her through how to set it up, over the phone, and how to navigate the interface. Patience with the elderly and technology = the best quarantine gift.

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A tablet

A lot of individuals over the age of 65 don’t really like bothering with all of the buttons and updates and interfaces on a laptop. Consider getting your friend a tablet if you can afford it. It gives her an easy place to view photos, watch programs, and read books.

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Kindle subscription

A book can be a best friend during lonely times, but it can be expensive and take up too much storage space for your friend to order the physical version of every book she loves—plus, many deliveries are delayed right now, so it could just take too long. An unlimited Kindle subscription is affordable, and thoughtful.

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Photos

My generation may have lost a love for physical photos, but those 65-and-up still appreciate them. So order prints of the photos you have of the memories you’ve built with this loved one. Put them in a lovely photo album—maybe you can make your own—and drop them off for her viewing pleasure.

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A Keurig

Your loved one may still be in the habit of brewing a full pot of coffee every day, in an old, slow machine. And being stuck to one roast, cup after cup, because that’s what she brewed. Give her a Keurig machine to cut back on the work, and introduce her to the world of switching up roasts throughout the day.

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Natural daylight lamp

Your friend may not be getting out enough right now, because it isn’t safe for her to be around other people. Or, she may not be strong enough to walk or bike. But that means she could be missing out on daylight, which is important for our health. Get her a natural daylight lamp, to mimic the experience of sunlight.

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Gloves and masks

This is a practical but very thoughtful gift. If you can track down a big box of medical masks, send them to your friend. Or you can make her some from home! Or patronize some of the many designers making these right now, in order to make money while they’ve lost their regular jobs. Send these, along with gloves.

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Puzzles

A puzzle can provide a wonderful distraction for hours or days, as well a sense of purpose. And it doesn’t require the knowledge of any technology, which those aged 65-and-up appreciate. You can even order a customized one that, when completed, shows the image of a personal photo.

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Snacks

Pull together this friend’s favorite snacks. She’ll love the personal touch, realizing you’ve paid attention to what foods she likes. It’s also best, right now, to send someone prepackaged foods rather than home-baked stuff, for sanitary reasons.

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A Zoom class, together

You can do something together and pay for a Zoom class, for the two of you. Think of this friend’s interests. Sewing? Painting? Cooking? You can take a class together, which gives you the chance to talk about it after, and even put the new skill to use, in person, when this is all over.