It’s Mother’s Day this weekend.
Mum’s bound to have a great day but, after putting some thought into the issue of gifts, I realised there are a lot of things that simply aren’t practical for someone who’s had a stroke. So I thought I’d get together this blog post to outline some gift ideas. These are specifically tailored for Mum but I think they could apply to a lot of stroke patients.
According to the interwebs, the number 1 gift for stroke victims is an iPad. Mum already has one of these and I can concur they’re amazing for someone like her. But since she’s the “woman who has everything” here’s my iPad-free Top 10 Gifts for Stroke Patients.
1. Phone calls and visits.
They may not come with a receipt but people who’ve had a stroke love nothing more than hearing from people whether by phone or on Skype. On days when Mum has lot of phone calls from people she cares about, she kind of looks like this
2. In-house haircut
Mum’s had an in-house haircut at the Prince Charles and she loved having someone come in and cut her hair for her. I was tempted to put in a beautician visit for her pedicure/manicure and legs but with Mum’s neuropathic pain this may not work as well.
3. Sweets for the sweet
It’s no secret the stroke has given Mum a sweet tooth (or maybe brought out her inner cake-fiend?) but right-brain stroke patients are notorious for loving their food, especially cake. While Mum is on serious cake restrictions, I think Mother’s Day is a good time to let loose.
Spoiler alert: I’m hoping to get her a cake made. Shhh…
4. Rehab couture
Mum needs loose comfortable clothing for rehab and she loves wearing a clean nighty to bed. She has a robe but something comfortable for her to do her rehab in would be a great idea for Mother’s Day.
5. Music
Since the stroke, I’ve thought Mum would benefit from a music player but one that she can get local radio on and with a remote she can use. Music is often thought to have rehabilitation benefits so this would be a great addition to her private room.
6. Read with me
Mum loves both reading and being read to and she would love to read a book with you. Have something you think both you and her would enjoy? Buy her an Amazon gift card and we’ll get the book downloaded to her device.
7. A comfortable pen and journal
Getting back her writing skills is on Mum’s wish list. Finding a pen she can hold in her right hand and maybe a book to write her thoughts in would be a good way to help her get back her ability to write.
8. A stuffed animal
Bear with me (pun actually not intended): Mum often talks about cats and dogs and while these are often hallucinations, a pet is known to be therapeutic. Since Mum can’t have a real pet in the facility, she can have a stuffed animal and this could be very comforting.
9. A “grabber”
If Mum had something to help pull items over to her somehow (her iPad, her tray, her remote) this would help her independence a great deal.
10. A medical ID bracelet
Ever heard Mum try to list the things she’s allergic to? How about a medical ID bracelet of the more-attractive variety so she doesn’t have to.
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