Gifts for people with health problems/disabilities?

[rainbowgc]

If you have an illness or disability, what kind of practical gifts do you like to receive? If you don't mind sharing - what's your health issue and how does that practical item benefit you and make your life more pleasant?

I have Fibro and I'll take anything warm. Also I have anxiety issues so I like PC games word or puzzle.

I hope this post helps other members by giving ideas of what makes an appreciated gift for friend and family members will illness or disability.

[sunshine]

My dad only had one hand, and was confined to a wheel chair in his later years -- he liked:

long sleeved, snap shirts -- hid his arm amputation, and the snaps were easier for him to do one-handed, than buttons.

grabber -- so he could reach things from his wheelchair and not have to ask someone to get him items.


My dh has ALS, is in a wheelchair at times and has some eating issues . . . he likes to receive:

video games, as he can still work his hands enough to maneuver them - but he can't write (so crossword and word search puzzle books are out)


Both of them liked wheelchair accessories -- new bags for the wheelchairs, to make carrying things easier. . . head rest covers (just to decorate things up a bit), and so forth.

[sunshine]

My dad only had one hand, and was confined to a wheel chair in his later years -- he liked:

long sleeved, snap shirts -- hid his arm amputation, and the snaps were easier for him to do one-handed, than buttons.

grabber -- so he could reach things from his wheelchair and not have to ask someone to get him items.


My dh has ALS, is in a wheelchair at times and has some eating issues . . . he likes to receive:

video games, as he can still work his hands enough to maneuver them - but he can't write (so crossword and word search puzzle books are out)


Both of them liked wheelchair accessories -- new bags for the wheelchairs, to make carrying things easier. . . head rest covers (just to decorate things up a bit), and so forth.

[Lady_V]

I have FMS, CFS and double CarpelTunnel... but I want what everyone else wants

Items of use that I would not complain to recieve are

wide handles utensils since the thin ones are harder for me to grip when the DCP kicks in

hats, scarves, gloves, fingerless gloves and mittens... cold = agony

jarred 'almost ready' items like soup or pancake mix... for when the Fibrofog is so thick 'just add water' is all I can manage.

I found this... excellent ideas for Fibromites!

10 Top Gifts For Fibromites

1. Heat pads - whether they’re wheat, lavender, electric, or even a hot water bottle they’ll be of use to a fibromite and if you get one with a tactile and/or cute cover even better (itchy wool isn’t a good idea for hypersensitive people!).
2. Memory foam mattress/mattress topper/pillow - I adore my memory foam mattres from Ikea and it was a fraction of the price of a bed-shop one. Mattress toppers are apparently readily available in the US, less so here and a memory foam pillow is my next must-have-for-the-fibro buy.
3. TENS machine - available in chemists in the UK, but only on prescription in the US.
4. Vouchers for massages/spa treatments - if the Fibromite recipient has a favourite masseuse that you can get treatments for, that’s the best, but if not, massage vouchers are a good idea for someone to try it out or get general spa vouchers in case they’d prefer to forgo the potentially-painful massage for a much needed facial.
5. Relaxing bath oils - I know I have spent an inordinate amount of time in the bath for pain relief reasons over the last few years and a lovely bath oil makes it seem like pampering rather than a chore (yes, being the bath can be boring if you don’t want to be there but need pain relief!).
6. Blankies - for naps, the shivers and general comforting when you feel like crap. Soft and tactile is key.
7. A PDA - With my fibro-fog brain I rely on mine to tell me where I need to be and what I need to do. It also doubles up as a laptop substitute when I’m stuck in bed and want to write articles/essays, do emails or look something up.
8. Pyjamas - PJs get old very quickly when you wear them as much as a Fibromite may do. It’s also less embarrasing to be caught wearing pjs at 3pm if they’re classy! Comfort and looks are key - soft materials, good coverage, nice design…I’m loving the Jammies from Joules Clothing atm.
9. MP3 player - useful for music as a pain disctraction therapy or to listen to pain relief, relaxation or exercise CDs when you can’t put the stereo on (e.g. at 3am when everyone else is asleep!). Note that some PDAs can double as an MP3 player.
10. Help round the house - whether it’s doing a personal IOU voucher for a spring clean or arranging for a cleaner to do it, it could be a huge help (a cleaner for a day and taking them out to lunch while they clean would be an amazing gift!). Gadgets are also helpful, from a robotic vacuum cleaner to a long-handled dust-pan.

[perSue]

*knocking on wood*

i dont have anything, but i have family who have issues...

those with sugar/diabetic issues:
i tend to get sugar free candies (or make 'em), some fake sugar (splenda) & their fave drinks (coffee/cocoa, etc) as well as normal things. slippers are good too.

those with RA:
blankets, big handled silverware, big pens/pencils to write with (think those your preschooler used!), fingerless gloves, slippers.

those in wheelchair:
nice pillow or "donut", blankets, and bags that fit on the side/back of chair. a "claw" to reach high places. a side-arm cup holder (fits on arm of chair)

those with vision problems:
big print/type books, activity books (crosswords & such), large (wide rule) paper/notebooks to write in, computer software to magnify things they read, or computer software to "read to" them.

try to think what you would want/need if you were in that situation. think of the basic symptoms and what may be needed.

[nuisance26]

~Cd's of classical music might be welcome. I know I and my children can really escape into it.~