An online community dedicated to helping senior caregivers.

What makes a good gift for Father’s Day? Depends on the person—and this is particularly true for older adults. Your father probably has plenty of T-shirts, sweatshirts and socks (OK, there’s one pair of socks on our list!), so it’s time to go beyond the obvious and find something unique. 

Whether your older adult is active and busy or living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, make Father’s Day special with a visit or a home-cooked meal if you’re nearby. Then, add a gift (or two) from our list of ideas to make him smile (and say “just what I wanted!”), or start him on a project to keep him busy for hours.

If your older dad spends a lot of time outdoors, he may wear a baseball cap and think that’s good enough to protect him from the sun’s harsh rays—but it’s not. This Wallaroo Company hat with SPF50 protection is precisely what he needs to keep his head, neck and face from sunburns. Not to mention, he’ll look quite spiffy in it!

The key to getting your dad up and moving is comfort. Whether it’s the right walking shoes or his clothing selection, it all has to feel good when he’s moving. These Cherokee cargo pants are a blend of cotton and polyester, so they’ll breathe and keep him cool. The ample pockets have room for his cellphone, keys and a small wallet. At this price, you can get him two pairs.

Keep the skin protection going with a long-sleeve T-shirt with built-in SPF30. Columbia is a brand that focuses on outdoor clothing that wears well. This shirt comes in many colors, so you can find just the right one for your dad.

There’s nothing better than a nice walk when the weather is good (and not much that’s better for an older adult). Even if your dad is still stable and able to walk without a cane or a walker, a walking stick can make his daily strolls a bit safer. He may scoff at the idea, but your father will love it once he starts using this impressive-looking wood walking stick with its raindrop handle and wrist strap.

Older men may not be as easy to convince that sunscreen is necessary, but Neutrogena’s is less greasy and lightweight, which means they’ll be more likely to put it on each day.

Yes, this may seem like a silly gift, but it does have practical use. Many older men get up and down a few times at night to use the bathroom. This motion-sensor activated light in the toilet acts as both a nightlight and a way to make sure they, well, aim in the right direction. Plus, it’s a bit of fun they can chuckle about!

If your father misplaces things because his memory isn’t quite as sharp as it used to be, a Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker is a great gift. He’ll be able to find his keys (even up to 200 feet away) or his phone, even if it’s set to silent. You may need a few of these to keep your dad organized and help him keep track of the remote he’s always putting down in the wrong place.

Unfortunately, seniors suffer from aches and pains that come with aging, arthritis, surgeries or many other things. As a result, many older adults are always searching for the best ways to relieve their pain. This vibrating, massaging chair with a power lift to help those with mobility challenges get in and out could be the answer your father’s been waiting for. It won’t take long for this to be his favorite place to nap or watch TV.

Your father can have all his essentials right where he needs them when he’s sitting on the sofa and watching his favorite TV shows with this clever armchair caddy organizer. There are seven pockets to hold a book, a magazine, and a remote (or two), along with a space for his drink, too. This is especially helpful if your older man has mobility issues and would rather not have to get up and down from his seat too often.

Suppose your dad has downsized to an apartment and used to love to spend hours caring for his yard and garden. In that case, a DIY terrarium is a fun project that could get him started on a new and eco-friendly hobby. This is also an excellent alternative for those with aches and pains from arthritis who may want to spend time weeding and mowing but can’t anymore. 

Take dad down memory lane with this indulgent assortment of candy from his teen years and a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle filled with “I remember that!” moments. He can share them both with friends and family. 

It can be challenging for older adults to read books. The print may be too small, they may find themselves dozing off too quickly, or it might be uncomfortable to simply hold the book in their hands for a long time. If your dad loved reading – or even if he didn’t – Audible books are an easy way for him to get lost in stories and relax. The subscription includes one book per month.

These cute socks send a message—and they’re non-slip, too!

Get the whole family together to buy your older man an iPad Pro, and he’ll never be bored again. He can watch movies, read books, play games, take pictures, and look at photos others send him—the possibilities for entertainment are endless. He’ll be thrilled when he opens this!

Scent can be an amazing tool for helping older adults relax, stay calm and sleep better. After a while, he’ll wonder how he ever fell asleep without the soothing aroma of lavender, or how he ever got ready for his day without the invigorating tingle of peppermint. This diffuser comes with 10 essential oils for your father to try and decide which he likes best. 

One of the challenges for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia and those who care for them is keeping their hands busy. Those with memory disorders tend to have nervous and fidgety hands, and this fidget blanket can keep them occupied while they make repetitive and soothing movements.

Keep family and friends familiar and nearby with a digital photo frame. Caregivers can remind your older adult who the people are, and your dad may feel comforted by seeing familiar faces each day. In addition, you can send new photos via an app to his digital frame to update and add to his enjoyment.

These pants make it easy for your father with memory issues to get them off and on—and they’re helpful for caregivers, too. A simple tearaway feature means there’s no fussing with zippers or buttons, so your older adult can take care of himself and feel independent.

Sometimes the simplest gift is the best. This large-screen clock displays the day, date and time, so your older adult with memory issues can keep track of things. It dims in the evening and brightens up with the sun, which can help with transitioning from night to day.