What to bring when visiting someone in a nursing home? A comprehensive guide

According to a 2022 resource from Good Samaritan Society, personalizing a resident's space with familiar items can help decrease loneliness and depression. Knowing what to bring when visiting someone in a nursing home is key to making your loved one feel comfortable, cherished, and at home in their new environment.

Quick Summary

Enhancing a nursing home visit involves bringing personalized items like framed photos or a digital album, a cozy blanket, favorite personal care products, and engaging hobby supplies such as puzzle books or craft materials.

Key Points

• Prioritize Connection: Your presence and time are the most valuable gifts, with physical items serving to enhance the visit.

• Familiarity is Key: Bring items that evoke positive memories and comfort, especially for those with memory issues, such as photos or favorite blankets.

• Check with Staff First: Always verify facility rules on food, decor, and electrical items to ensure safety and adherence to policies.

• Consider Practicality: Choose items that are easy to use, clean, and appropriate for the resident's current cognitive and physical abilities.

• Label Everything: Clearly label all personal belongings to prevent loss and ensure they don't get mixed up with other residents' items.

• Avoid Safety Hazards: Never bring fragile items, valuable belongings, or unauthorized electronics like electric blankets or extension cords.

• Stimulate the Mind: Engage your loved one with hobby-related items like puzzles, music players, or large-print books for meaningful interaction.

The Core Principle: Prioritizing Connection, Not Just Gifts

While bringing a physical item is a kind gesture, the most important gift you can give is your presence and genuine connection. Your time, conversation, and attentiveness are what truly matter. The items you bring should serve as tools to facilitate that connection, spark conversation, and provide comfort.

Comforting and Familiar Items for a Touch of Home

Many residents cherish items that remind them of their past and offer a sense of security. These small tokens can help bridge the gap between their old life and their new home.

Blankets and Linens

A favorite blanket or throw is a powerful comfort item that can remind them of the warmth of home.

• A soft, warm quilt for their bed.
• A smaller lap blanket for when they're sitting in a chair.
• Consider special items like weighted blankets, which can provide a sense of calm (check with staff first).

Personal Care Favorites

Familiar scents and products can be very grounding. Consider a basket of personal care items featuring their preferred brands.

• Favorite lotion, soap, or perfume.
• High-quality lip balm.
• A specific brand of tissue packets.

Personal Decor and Mementos

Brightening up their living space can make a world of difference. Small, personal touches can turn a room into a home.

• Photographs: Framed family photos or a digital photo frame are excellent for recalling memories. A photo album is a great activity to do together.
• Plants and Flowers: A low-maintenance potted plant or artificial flowers can add life to a room. Always check the facility's policy on live plants.
• A wall calendar: A calendar with family birthdays, holidays, and visit dates clearly marked helps orient them.

Engaging Activities and Entertainment

Beyond comfort, items that encourage mental stimulation and shared activities are incredibly valuable. These are perfect for making your time together more meaningful.

• Favorite Music: Load a smart speaker or MP3 player with their favorite music. Use headphones if they have a roommate.
• Reading Material: Large-print books, magazines, or a digital e-reader with adjustable text size.
• Puzzle and Game Books: Crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or word searches can keep their mind active.
• Hobby Supplies: Knitting needles and yarn, art supplies, or adult coloring books are great for encouraging creativity and providing a calm focus.

Special Considerations for Those with Dementia

For residents with cognitive impairment, familiarity and simplicity are paramount. The goal is to provide comfort without causing confusion or agitation.

1. Simple Photo Albums: A small, easy-to-handle album with a few clearly labeled photos works better than a complex digital frame.
2. Sensory Objects: A soft plush toy or a sensory blanket with different textures can provide calming tactile stimulation.
3. Familiar Scent: A bottle of their favorite scented hand cream can evoke comforting memories.
4. Low-Volume Music: A short, personalized playlist of their favorite songs played at a low volume can be very grounding.

What to Leave at Home

Just as important as knowing what to bring is knowing what not to. Certain items can pose safety risks or violate facility policy.

• Extension Cords: These are a trip and fall hazard and are often prohibited.
• Fragile or Valuable Items: Avoid breakable glass or expensive heirlooms that could be lost or damaged.
• Electrical Appliances: Check with the facility before bringing in items like televisions or coffee makers.
• Foods with Restrictions: Always confirm dietary needs before bringing any food or snacks.

Comparison Table: Gifts for Different Needs

Item Type	Best For	Special Considerations
Photos/Albums	All residents, especially those with memory loss	Keep albums simple for dementia patients; consider digital frames for tech-savvy seniors.
Cozy Blanket	All residents	Ensure it is machine washable. Avoid electric blankets.
Snacks/Treats	All residents	MUST check with staff first for any dietary restrictions or swallowing issues.
Hobby Supplies	Residents who enjoy crafts, puzzles, or reading	Tailor the items to their current cognitive and physical abilities.
Personal Care Items	All residents	Bring favorite brands for familiar scents. Can be a useful, practical gift.
Fidget Blankets	Residents with advanced dementia	Provides tactile stimulation and keeps hands busy in a calming way.

Practical Logistics: Labeling and Storage

Every item you bring should be clearly and permanently labeled with the resident's name. This includes clothing, linens, and personal items. With communal laundry and shared spaces, labeling is the best way to ensure their belongings don't get lost. Inquire about storage space; living areas are often small, so be mindful of clutter.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the thought behind your visit is what counts most. The items you bring are simply an extension of your care and love, designed to make their experience more comfortable and personal. By focusing on familiarity, connection, and practicality, you can choose the perfect items to bring when visiting someone in a nursing home and make every moment together special. For more resources on caring for aging loved ones, visit the National Institute on Aging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring homemade food for a resident?

You should always check with the nursing home staff before bringing homemade food. Residents often have specific dietary restrictions, allergies, or swallowing issues that must be managed carefully by the facility's medical team.

Is it safe to bring a small electrical appliance like a television or radio?

Most nursing homes have strict rules about electrical appliances to prevent fire hazards and ensure resident safety. Always get explicit permission from the staff before bringing any electronic device, including extension cords.

What kind of items are best for someone with dementia?

Focus on simple, sensory-based items that are easy to handle and familiar. A small photo album with a few labeled pictures, a soft blanket, or a favorite-scented hand cream are often more effective than complex or noisy items.

How should I label personal items like clothing and toiletries?

It is crucial to label all personal items with the resident's full name, preferably with a permanent marker or laundry pen. This is especially important for clothing, which is often washed in communal laundry facilities.

Are live plants or flowers allowed in nursing home rooms?

Policies vary by facility. Some may allow low-maintenance plants, while others may prefer artificial flowers to avoid potential allergy issues or mess. Check with staff beforehand to be sure.

Can I bring my pet to visit?

Pet visitation policies differ significantly among nursing homes. If allowed, you will need to ensure your pet is well-behaved, up-to-date on all vaccinations, and follow the facility's specific rules regarding animal visits.

What's a good gift for a new resident to make them feel welcome?

A care package with comforting items is an excellent idea. Consider a soft lap blanket, their favorite personal care products, a digital photo frame preloaded with family pictures, or a basket of approved snacks.

How can I make a visit more engaging if my loved one is not very talkative?

Engage in shared, quiet activities like looking through a photo album, listening to their favorite music at a low volume, or working on a simple puzzle together. Your calm, non-verbal presence can be very comforting.