Guide to Elder Friendly Holiday Gifts

Have an older adult on your holiday gift list? Don’t have any idea what to get him or her? Not to fret, ElderGadget has tons of ideas that are sure to please both the gift-receiver and the gift-giver. Whether you’re looking to spend a lot or a little – and regardless of whether that older adult needs a little visual or audio assistance – we’ve got some great gadget gift suggestions for you.

Computers

ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005HA-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook – 10.5 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Starter)

This laptop is great for anyone on the go. It features a 10-inch LED LCD screen, Bluetooth capabilities, a battery that lasts more than 10 hours and weighs less than three pounds. It’s also convenient! It has 170 gigabytes of storage, which makes for a lot of photos. Other features include an ergonomically friendly keyboard, multi-touch trackpad, surround sound, a webcam, microphone, Windows 7 Starter and instant keys.

You Can Do It Computers Senior Computer Wide Screen

This computer was actually designed with seniors in mind, so if your giftee suffers from common aging ailments, such as arthritis, poor vision, tremors or even technophobia they’ll feel at ease using the You Can Do It system. The screen is 22 inches, icons and text are large and readable, the trackball mouse is ergonomically designed and the features are easy to use.

Such features include one-touch photo saving, no-frills emailing and easy Internet bookmarking. This computer is definitely for a person who wants to be able to surf the net, email and view photos with little hassle. It’s guaranteed to remain virus-free, and there’s no need for frequent updates, as external software cannot be installed.

Peripheral gifts

Arthritis: Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Set, Kensington Orbit Optical Trackball Mouse 64327

Low Vision: 32, Large Print USB Computer Keyboard (Yellow with Black Letters) Great for Visually Impaired Individuals

Poor Hearing: Klipsch Groove PM20 2.0 Speaker System (Black), Able Planet Clear Harmony Behind the Head Stereo Headphones – White

Technophobia: Windows XP for Seniors : For Senior Citizens Who Want to Start Using Computers (Computer Books for Seniors series)BigScreenLive Software, Makes Computers and Internet Easy to Use [New Version]

Televisions

Panasonic VIERA X1 Series TC-L26X1 26-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

A 26-inch television is a nice size for anyone with a modest living room or bedroom. In other words, it won’t make you feel like you’re sitting in a movie theater, which can be good if your mother simply likes to watch the news or her favorite soap opera. While plasmas and LCDs both have their pros and cons, purchasing an LCD TV will ensure that your parents’ TV won’t experience burn-in or significant glare or reflection.

VIZIO 32″ 1080p LCD HDTV – Java (VOJ320F1A)

A 32-inch screen is great for those who need a more magnified image, and high-definition 1080p resolution doesn’t hurt either, as it’ll make the image that much more clear. This TV also has a side control panel, which means that you can easily change the channel, adjust the volume, or turn the television on or off from the set. This isn’t the ideal way to operate a TV, but it can come in handy if your grandfather has misplaced his remote.

Peripheral Gifts

Arthritis: Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control

Hard of Hearing: ZVOX 550 Low-Profile Single-Cabinet Surround Sound System

Technophobia: Philips Prestigo SRU8010 Icon Universal Remote Control

Cell Phones

BlackBerry Bold 9700 Phone (AT&T)

Blackberries and iPhones are all the rage this year. We picked the Blackberry Bold 9700 because numerous online retailers rated it as one of the best selling cell phones so far this season. If the senior on your list is into bells, whistles, innovation and sleekness, then this is the phone for him.

It’s got a full QWERTY keyboard, which may be easier for some to use than the iPhone touchscreen. It also has visual voicemail, which types out your messages like emails, AT&T Wifi access, GPS and Mobile Music, which allows the user to download music straight to his phone like an MP3 player.

Pantech C520 Breeze Phone, Black (AT&T)

For those who would still appreciate Internet and email access, built-in cameras, Bluetooth capabilities, games and customized ring tones in a simplified setting, the Pantech can do it all. While the Jitterbug has become the poster child for elderly cell phone users, if you’re giving an older individual a gift it may be better to choose a model with less notoriety, lest you offend a givee who doesn’t consider themselves in need of a stripped-down phone.

The Pantech can do almost everything that Blackberries and iPhones can do, but in a more simplistic, understated way. The interface is easy to read, the keypad is oversized, and key features, such as the camera and speakerphone, are marked by large icons.

Peripheral Gifts

Arthritis: Thermoskin Premium Arthritic Gloves, Black, Sold by the Pair

Hard of Hearing: Artone Bluetooth Neckloop for Hearing Aids — Alternative to Headsets

Low Vision: The Phone Monocle Cell Phone Magnifying Lens

Digital Camera

Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black)

The Flip is pocket-sized so it can easily fit in the user’s purse, pants or shirt. It also has lots of memory, eight gigabytes, to be exact. This allows you to film two hours of high-definition video without the assistance of a memory card. There is, however, a USB outlet that flips out of the phone so you can easily upload your videos and photos to a computer.

The Flip is actually touted as the world’s simplest HD camcorder, thanks to its one-touch shoot-and-share capabilities. The two-inch LCD screen is actually large for a flip camera, and it comes with a coating that cuts down on glare.

Kodak EasyShare V550 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

Any screen larger than two inches is helpful for an elderly user with vision problems. Luckily, this Kodak EasyShare V550 has a 2.5-inch high-resolution screen with a 3x optical zoom that will let you see every picture detail before deciding whether you need a do-over. The buttons, along with the unit, are larger than most digital cameras, making it easier to hold and operate.

Every button also comes labeled with large black text, a contrasting color against the camera’s silver body. Being a Kodak, this camera also has one-button EasyShare capabilities so users can upload photos or up to 80 minutes of video easily.

Peripheral Gifts

Arthritis: Imak Arthritis Gloves Large (Pack of 2)

Low Vision: LED Lighted Travel Magnifier