Gifts For Seniors
Gifts for Seniors strives to alleviate the devastating adverse health impacts of loneliness and social isolation for over 7,000 older adults. Our inclusive programs provide life-affirming contact and equitable access to community resources for living and aging well.
Honoring Glenda
Many of us have had wonderful grandparents influence our lives as I did. I cared for my grandmother, Glenda, in my home for seven years before she passed away at our home while in hospice. Glenda was lucky. She had a loving family who cared for her at home. But even so, I watched as little by little she became more socially isolated. Friends and family had passed on, her pastor retired and stopped coming by, and after a bad fall that broke her hip, getting out became difficult. In our changing social structure, loneliness among older adults has become more prevalent. Losing connections to family, friends, and community leads to greater risk for health and wellbeing decline.
The year following Glenda's passing I was missing her dearly, especially during the holiday months. While searching for a way to honor her life, I discovered Gifts for Seniors and their amazing work in the community. Gifts for Seniors was created with the realization that thousands of seniors are living emotionally disadvantaged lives. For them, a spouse has died, children have moved away, or failing health and diminished income have left them unable to reach out.
I am thrilled about our program’s continued success and grateful to have been given this opportunity to serve my community’s older friends and neighbors. Gifts for Seniors' extraordinarily committed volunteers, board, staff, corporate and agency partners are busy preparing to provide the personal life-affirming visits our elders are longing for throughout the year. Gifts for Seniors serves over 7,000 in need annually and we need your help to support the growing needs. Collectively we can make a meaningful impact for those throughout our community.
Please join us in bringing a bit of warmth and joy to others! Give the gift of being present.
With gratitude,
Carolyn
Financials
Programs
Visits for Seniors
For every visit, we bring a much-needed resource. If they have a new health diagnosis and have gained or lost significant weight, clothing is gifted. If they live with incontinence challenges, fresh bed linens or towels are gifted. These social intentional visits are also critical for identifying self-neglect, elder abuse, and financial exploitation. Every gift has the potential to change a life!
Tech for Seniors
The Tech for Seniors initiative is dedicated to getting tablets into the hands of isolated older adults who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford one themselves. During the pandemic older adults who were already experiencing isolation suddenly became further challenged to remain connected when they were cut off from the outside world. In best efforts to alleviate the devastating loneliness, Tech for Seniors was launched. Volunteers pre-loaded donated tablets with video conferencing software, networking opportunities, several mind-occupying apps, and other entertainment options. The in-store purchasing function may also be disabled so less tech savvy seniors are not exploited by scammers.
Social isolation is deadly. Today, we ask for your continued support to keep this meaningful work ongoing. These high impact gifts bring joy and human connection for years to come. You can purchase a tablet for under $100 right now on Amazon and it will allow a senior to remain actively engaged.
Food for Seniors
Gifts for Seniors provides healthy food for older adults in need. Please consider donating in support of isolated older adults who are food insecure. *Bonus Opportunity* Please consider gifting extra for dog food, cat food, and birdseed to support their furry friends!
Cards for Seniors
We’re collecting cards for isolated seniors — you can help! You gift the greeting cards to show them you care, we take care of getting the cards to our senior friends. *Bonus Opportunity* Please consider gifting extra for a box of blank cards so seniors can mail their own to friends, family, and loved ones. If you have the means, please also include enough for a sheet of stamps.
Volunteering + Events
31st Annual Holiday Gift Drive for Isolated Elders
Ways to Get Involved:
Enjoy contactless giving by shopping through online gift registries and ship directly to our center.
Shop at your favorite store and drop gifts at a Twin Cities’ blue barrel host location.
Make a direct financial donation to help us fill the gaps on low inventoried gifts.
Host a gift drive at your company, association, union, sports team, place of residency, social/book/wine club, faith community, or other membership organization.
Most Requested Gifts:
Heated electric blankets, heating pads, and muscle massaging gifts for comfort
Winter coats, boots, hats, scarves, and gloves for warmth – all sizes needed
Hard soled, nonslip house slippers – all sizes – for a new spring in their step!
New bathrobes, sleepwear, and loungewear – all sizes, especially in plus+
Fresh linens – bedsheet sets/blankets/pillows, bathroom and kitchen towel sets
Entertainment – tablets, e-readers, music players, movie players, robotic companion pets, games, adult activity puzzles and hobbies to keep folks engaged
Tech for Seniors
The Tech for Seniors program:
Ageism, poverty, and lack of digital skills are significant barriers to digital adoption for older adults. Tech for Seniors assists those struggling to remain connected to loved ones and their community with a four-pronged approach – technology devices, affordable internet, digital literacy education, and ongoing one-on-one support.
Since 2020, the program has provided tablets and access to affordable internet services for older adults in need. However, we know access to devices and Wi-Fi alone are not enough to ensure full adoption for online engagement. Our program includes:
• a curated website with digital literacy education, videos, and coaching resources
• group training courses and pop-up tech clinics specifically designed for older adults
• robust outreach and engagement to combat isolation, and spur human connection
• access to socialization opportunities, critical aging services, faith, and telehealth support
