Christmas gift ideas for a CBD sufferer.

[stut123]

My Grandmother was diagnosed with CBD last year. She is at a stage where she really struggles using her hands, especially with eating. She is also becoming increasingly forgetful and has started to have difficulty with speech and processing conversations. Another problem is getting her to eat properly - she only seems to be happy eating very sweet things which isn't good for her diabetes. Our family is coping okay with helping her. She lives alone and has carers visit twice a day.

With Christmas coming up I wondered if anyone would happen to have any ideas for gifts that would make life easier for her when she is alone. I have found this website for gifts for dementia sufferers unforgettable.org/ but would like to know if anyone had any specific suggestions for a CBD sufferer.

[JA10]

I don't know the exact range of symptoms of CBD as my mum has PSP, however my thoughts immediately turned to something like a trip out. My Mum really enjoys almost anything that gets her out of the house, she can't get out much, so even enjoys shopping now. Look for places that are well set up for her needs and take her for a day out if your budget allows.

Or as she is living alone, some thing that provides her with company on a regular basis. If you live close enough maybe you could go and read to her on a regular basis, sharing a collection of short stories, or if her memory would follow a story, reading a longer story. Another idea would be once a week have a 'home cinema' session, borrow a DVD or download a film from the internet, maybe if her swallow is still ok you could have an old fashioned interval and have ice creams. That way she would have something to look forward to when she is alone and you would get some quality time with her too.

I hope you all have a nice Christmas what ever you choose. x

[BandT]

A digital photo frame may be nice - that way you can upload lots of photos of the family and they would play on repeat? Or have a photo album printed for her.

I did one recently of old pictures from my dad's home town - which he liked. Facebook often has local groups which upload old photos.

Have a happy Christmas.