My Grandpa is probably in the middle stage… he knows who I am on a good day, and still has a very active sense of humor. But, he’s to the point where he’s in a nursing home and has to be taken care of… his birthday is coming up very soon, and even though he wouldn’t notice if he didn’t receive any gifts, let alone remember his own birthday, I still want to get him something.
This is probably too difficult of a question for someone who doesn’t know a person with Alzheimers. I will likely be shopping at a Toys R Us store. If you have any good suggestions, if you have been in the same situation, I’d much appreciate a little guidance.
Thanks in advance. 
to ckngbbbls, I absolutely did not intend to make any rude remarks… but a lot of the little trinkets my family members bring by for him DO come from such stores.
It might sound demeaning, but I didn’t mean it that way. I love my Grandpa very much, and he’s a very smart person, but he enjoys toys now. *shrug*
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get him something he wont forget LMFAO
Make him a scrapbook or something:)
We put together a little picture album of family members and friends. Some days my Pop would know who they were and sometimes he wouldn’t, but we had names on each picture. Eventually he asked us to put some pictures of things in a book too, with their names. It worked so well. Sometimes he would forget would he was talking about and he could actually show us.
We also gave toiletries that our Pop liked, powder, after shave, soap and a box of large size tissues. We kept him in healthy snacks, which he loved, and occasionally took him a six pack of orange or grape drink, and when he saw that he would smile. If you buy clothing, buy things without fasteners, like slip over things.
I’m not sure what you would get at Toys R Us. Maybe baby lotion or something.
Food would be your best bet, something he likes to eat, ice cream or fresh strawberries or a soda he used to enjoy. Other ‘things’ will hold no meaning now. Been there for years with my Mom.
My husband just died of Alzheimer’s, so I’ve been there.
One thing that he enjoyed was a small photo album of his Grandchildren (we printed their names under each picture}
If you’re going to shop at Toys R Us you might get him a funny stuffed toy- maybe one that squeaks.
My husband also enjoyed doing very simple puzzles (the kind that are in a frame) I found quite a few of animals, the United States, etc. because he wasn’t familiar with cartoon characters.
Probably one of the best things you can give him is a big hug every time you go to see him!
He’s fortunate to have such a loving grandchild.
I suggest music, perhaps a non skip portable cd/player that the staff could assist him with. They are relatively inexpensive. Depending on his age you can ask family what type of music he would like best.
What about one of those digital picture frames. That way he can see photo’s of love ones and happy memories continually, and it just might trigger his memory. When my mum had Alzheimer’s we would sit with her and show her photo’s of the family and talk about them, sometimes she responded really well. Good luck, it’s sure not easy.
How about a video of a comedian, if he was Scottish Billy Connolly, would be just the thing.
If I were in that situation, I’d love some music of JS Bach.
I thought your comment about shopping at Toys R Us was a bit rude, girlie.
Alzheimers people in mid stage many times have excellent long term memory meaning they know who people from thier past are but have a harder time recalling current family and friends.
How about an album made up of photos from long ago? Old friends and family and familiar scenery?
AS you can see by all the repsonses so far, photo albums rank right up there and no-one who has an Alszheimers sufferer in thier family suggested toys.
Go see him before his birthday, take your camera and have someone take a picture of the two of you together. Frame it so you can put it in his room, so he will see it every day. When you come back to visit you can always point it out it to him. Bring him his favorite treat that he is allowed.
It’s hard to give specific suggestions for a person I don’t know. But for an alzheimer’s patient, get him something that appeals to one of his fundamental interests. For example, if he likes trains, get him a book on trains. If he likes horses, get a nice poster or calendar or something.
The actual object isn’t important as long as it’s related to something he has always liked, that way he’ll appreciate it even if he forgets where it’s from or why he has it. I hope this helps.