Care Baskets For the Elderly--Life Essentials

Millions of senior citizens live below the poverty line. This time of year they face the possibility of a long winter, without the means to go out and stock up their homes with useful necessities. Countless others are housebound due to illness, disabilities, or lack of transportation. 

If you are looking for a meaningful community project, why not assemble a team of volunteers to help make care packages for these elders? 

To make beneficial care baskets, you just need to ask yourself: 

What would you need to get by from day to day if you couldn't afford (or weren't physically able) to go shopping?

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We are so used to being able to run out and get whatever little necessity we might need, (or just order it online!) that it is very hard to think of our true needs. 


In fact, I had to enlist the help of a few seniors and caregivers to make this list. Here are the items we came up with.

These are all non-food items that a person needs, but may not be able to get for themselves. If you are interested in making a food basket, then read my post on ideas for care baskets the elderly with edible items. 


Tip: While you can use any sort of container, even a cardboard box, a sturdy and reusable container (or several small containers)  might be greatly appreciated. 

Household Items: 

• Laundry soap

• Dish soap

• Trash bags

• Disposable plates, cups, eating utensils for times they don't feel like cleaning up

• Hand soap refill

• Light bulbs

• Napkins

• Paper towels

• Coffee filters

• Toilet paper

• All purpose cleaner

• Stamps and envelopes

• Sanitizing wipes or spray

• Batteries

Personal Toiletries and Essentials;

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Body wash or bar soap

• Nail sets

• Disposable razors and shaving cream

• Dental care supplies (toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash, or denture cleanser, denture adhesive and mouthwash)

• Deodorant

• Cologne or aftershave

• Lip balm

• Hand lotion

• Hand sanitizer

• New hair brush and comb

First Aid:

(Please use caution and don't give medication unless you know for sure that it is safe for the recipient)

• Cold remedies

• Antibiotic ointment

• Kleenex

• Cough drops

• Bandages

• Peroxide

• Rubbing Alcohol

• Thermometer

Pet Care: 

• Food for dogs, cats, birds, fish or other pets

• Kitty litter

• Cat toys

• Chew toys

• Pet Shampoo

• Flea Treatment

Odds and Ends 

Here are a few odds and end items that can be useful, appreciated, and sometimes even necessary:

 

• Flashlight 
• Battery operated lantern (safe for storms and power outages)
• Easy grip pens
• Insulated cups (with lids, and easy grip handles can help prevent burns and spills)
• Mittens or gloves
• Basic household tools with easy grip handles
• Matches or a lighter (if the person can use them safely)

Not Necessities, But Nice "Luxuries" 

Along with the essentials mentioned above, a few people chimed in with some items that seniors may have, but might be dirty, ragged, broken, or in some way unusable. 

These may not be the necessities of life, but they are the small luxuries we all enjoy, and they often need to be replaced. Because they aren't urgent needs, seniors may not buy or replace them if they are short on money: 

• Heating pad or hot water bottle

• Clean toilet bowl brushes

• New cleaning brushes or sponges

• Digital alarm clock

• Decent dishtowels

• New hot pads 

• Can opener (sharp and easy to grip)

• Coffee maker

• Food storage items (clear containers allow seniors to see the contents better, which may help with food safety.)

• Good broom

• Mop that is easy to use with arthritis (butterfly or 'Squeegee' style)

• Socks

• Blankets

• Pillow cases

A Helping Hand

They also mentioned some favors that many elders would cherish more than objects. 

• Help reading and understanding their mail (Especially sorting real mail from scam mail.)

• Help writing letters (for those with arthritis or poor vision)

• A ride to the pharmacy or grocery store

• A ride to doctor's appointments

• A person to check in on them when they are sick

• Someone who will take their pets to the vet when they need check-ups or medication. 

• Someone to help with large, overwhelming jobs, such as deep cleaning a refrigerator. 

Here are few ideas for some nice non-necessity additions that can brighten someone's day: 

• Puzzle books
• Reading books
• Scented candles
• Calculator with large screen
• Jigsaw puzzles
• Notepad
• Magnetic grocery list
• Gift card
• Greeting cards they can fill out as needed

Hopefully, this will help inspire others to get busy this season and help the elderly in their community. For more about charity and the elderly, check out this post; 

• 5 Ways to Give Charitably to the Elderly, Without Making it Seem Like Charity