According to the Family Caregiver Alliance there are approximately 39.8 million people in the U.S. providing care to an ill or disabled loved one, so there’s a good chance that you know someone in this situation right now. Caregivers work tirelessly to be of service to their loved ones and are often in need of self-care to maintain their own health. These gifts have been selected to make their tasks a bit easier and to encourage self-compassion and care. You’ll find a wide variety of prices in these gifts that range from practical to personal.
Caregiver Log Book
Each day caregivers are asked to keep track of their loved one’s medications, meals, pain and other symptoms, exercise and activity levels, appointments, and personal care, along with all the other tasks they perform. A Caregiver Log Book can simplify record-keeping, help organize the day, and ensure that nothing is forgotten. In addition the caregiver will have an accurate record to review with healthcare providers when needed.
Caring for the Caregiver Journal
Caregivers often neglect themselves because the demands of providing care for a loved one are so great. This Caring for the Caregiver Journal guides caregivers “through a year of mindful practices, stress-relief techniques, well-being tips, and helpful caregiving advice – encouraging self-compassion and a safe space to explore feelings, thoughts, and frustrations.” This might be the perfect gift for the caregiver in your life who wants to focus on self-care and needs some guidance.
Gratitude Journal for Women
Studies have shown that a daily practice of gratitude, even for just 5 minutes, can change our outlook on life, decrease stress, and increase well-being. This Gratitude Journal for Women makes it easy to create a positive daily habit of thankfulness since it doesn’t require much writing or in-depth journaling. To encourage self-love and mindfulness for the caregiver in your life, this journal might be the perfect gift.
Gratitude Journal for Men
Let’s not forget that about 40% of caregivers are men and they need self-care gifts too. This Gratitude Journal for Men encourages men to spend just 5 minutes a day reflecting on gratitude as part of a self-care and mindfulness routine. Since many of the self-care products available focus on appealing to women, it’s nice to find a gift specifically written and designed for the needs of men. Check this out to see if it’s appropriate for the male caregiver in your life.
Book: By Your Side by Barbara Karnes RN
Most caregivers for hospice patients at home have never actually been trained for the tasks they perform on a daily basis–they have to learn “on the job” which causes increased stress. Barbara Karnes’ book By Your Side: A Guide for Caring for the Dying at Home can be a lifesaver for anyone in that situation. With information on advance directives, pain management, care of dementia patients, and what to do as death approaches is an essential tool for hospice caregivers.
Mandala Coloring Book
Coloring has been found to be a relaxing activity for channeling stress and anxiety. Gift this Mandala Coloring Book along with a set of colored pencils to give your caregiving friend a simple tool for creativity and mindfulness. There are no rules and no expectations for this coloring book so it might be a welcome relief and distraction for an overworked caregiver!
Buddha Drawing Board
As a tool for mindfulness this Buddha Drawing Board is inspired by the idea of impermanence and living in the moment. Using water and a special brush you can create soulful little drawings that will disappear as the water dries. This practice can be done for just a few minutes a day to promote relaxation and relieve stress.
Comfortable Sleepwear
Caregivers spend most of the day on their feet doing challenging manual labor so make sure they can be comfy when they finally get a chance to rest. Consider a gift of this Loungewear as a comfortable, washable outfit for sleep that can extend into daytime wear as well. It will accommodate exercise, yoga, naps, and meditation breaks in the midst of a busy caregiving day. This outfit comes in many colors and sizes to suit the needs of any caregiver.
Memory Foam Slippers
Caregivers who spend many hours a day on their feet will welcome these comfy memory foam slippers to cushion their tired toes. These have indoor/outdoor soles for maximum flexibility and cushioned heels and arches for moderate support.
Inspirational Bracelet
Inspirational jewelry like this beaded bracelet is a simple and inexpensive gift for a caregiver. This particular bracelet, with the message “Life is tough. But so are you,” offers a wish for relief and healing energy for your special person. Give them a tangible, wearable reminder of your ongoing support with this or other personalized jewelry.
Weighted Blanket
Many caregivers report difficulty sleeping at night due to stress and anxiety, but good sleep is essential for avoiding burnout. A weighted blanket has been shown to improve sleep quality, increase serotonin levels, and decrease anxiety. Make sure it’s right for your special person and get the correct size and weight as well, but it can be a nice gift for a caregiver who needs better sleep.
Mug Warmer
A mug warmer might sound like a silly gift unless your special person is a coffee or tea lover. This mug and warmer will keep their favorite hot beverage ready to drink when they get interrupted multiple times a day so they won’t have to keep re-heating. It’s a simple timesaver but might be the most thoughtful gift you could choose for the caregiver in your life!
Reading Light
This personal reading light fits around the neck for hands-free reading in bed or when extra light is needed. This may be helpful for caregivers who need to read instructions for medications or treatments or who simply want to do some reading or journaling at night. Encourage your special person to Pair this with a good book to encourage your special person to do some reading for pleasure.
Motion Sensor Night Lights
For caregivers who have to get up a lot at night these motion sensor night lights can be a godsend. They will light up a darkened hallway, closet, or room to provide better vision without turning on a glaring overhead light. They are easy to install, rechargeable LED lights that could make a big difference.
Friendship Lamp
This friendship lamp is a pricey gift that is most suitable for a caregiver who is a close relative or friend that you want to stay in touch with. When you each own a lamp they connect to one another from anywhere in the world. Tap on your lamp to change colors and your friend’s lamp will change as well, letting them know that you are thinking of them. You can create a special color code to send messages of support any time of day.
Audible Gift Card
Give your caregiving friend a gift subscription to Audible so they can listen to audiobooks while doing household chores or exercising or whenever they need a brief escape. There are times when listening is easier than reading and this is a perfect gift for a book-loving caregiver.
Meal Kit Delivery Gift Card
Busy caregivers can be too exhausted to cook healthy meals. A gift card for a delivery service like Blue Apron can be a welcome respite from meal planning and grocery shopping while allowing your person to easily prepare delicious and healthful food. There are many services available that can accommodate any special dietary needs.
Help Texts Gift Subscription
When you purchase a subscription to Help Texts, they will send ongoing expert support texts to people who are caring for a dying loved one. This is a fantastic way to provide a full year of support for a caregiver (and also for those who are grieving) so check it out!
Check out the rest of our gift guides! Need ideas for people who are grieving? Click here.
Note: Some of the items in this guide include Amazon Affiliate and other links which earn a small commission.