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Back when I was faced with those issues, everything seemed a bit stressful, including buying something meaningful for Christmas. I had to remind myself what she told me when I was a kid, it's the thought that counts.

I will be giving my mother a cushioned lap tray, a fake fur throw for her bed as it is like stroking an animal which reduces stress (don't know if it will have the same effect but I have one and it seems to work).
I've got her a book of Christmas puzzles to keep her mind busy and to distract her. Another present I've bought for her is a cd called 'Songs that won the war'. She will know them and be able to sing along. Oh and I've got her new bedding for her bed and a nightie too.

I think that I will give mother a gift card. She is 91 yrs old and slow but still loves to shop and has very definate ideas as to what she wants. As for Beverly, her sweat outfits are getting pretty rough so I think that we'll update her wardrobe. This will give her something to unwrap Christmas morning.

It is strange not buying the pajamas and fleece sweat pants this year. Today, I am baking. At least my house will smell like Christmas!!

After the jewlery disaster of last year, I am gettign her printer photo paper and ink so she can print pictures up that people have sent her( she hasn't taken a picture in 10-15 years). As her interests wane and she cleans things out of her room, it gets harder and harder each year.

I haven't posted a message in over a year. My mother in law has been in a nursing home since a fall a year ago this past summer. After living with us for 14 years, it's been a transition.

We got her the velour sweat suit for her b-day and she really doesn't need clothes, but in talking with one of the C and A's at the nursing home, we're going to stock her up with lotions, soaps, powders, perfume - body care items. She's blind so she can't see things, but she will enjoy the fragrances and luxury of bath items.

We decorated her room even though she indicated not to bring anything, I think it's good to change her limited surroundings so even the nursing staff and helpers feel festive and can talk with her about her decorations.

I'm grateful that Audine is in a caring place and pray that she will experience peace, even as we come and go, instead of being in our home.

Artzart - nice to hear from you again. I didn't know Audine had to go into a carehome. You probably know that Albie died in Sept. so I am adjusting as well. I bought some Cetaphil at Costco in a large jar for about $15 and his aides used it on him after showers and his skin stayed really good up until the last day. Not too fragrant but good quality lotion.

I might suggest that people that have friends and relatives in the hospital take a box of candy to put on the night stand with a note that it is for the caregivers! Caregivers will visit a room more frequently just to get a piece of candy. Be sure it is out of reach of a diabetic though.

I always had a treat for the caregivers from Home Health and Hospice for the holidays. I think the candy idea is a good one.

I got my husband a Big Button remote control for his Directv. That's seems to be his life now and he's always complaining about not being able seeing the buttons to do things with, so how perfect can this be? I also bought him a leather bound edition of the "Reagan Diaries", he so admired President Reagan and he is beginning to read again after a year of not doing so. This makes me very happy, as we both have always been avid readers. That's the main ones other than sweats and new non-slip socks. And I'm out of ideas, seems like a rather skimpy Christmas, but he's home this year vs. last year at this time so that's my present.