Older adults staying in nursing homes miss their families and home. A small gesture of donating some items to nursing homes gives them a homely feeling and motivation to live their lives with more comfort and happiness.
In your mind, this can be the first question as a donation of money is the most popular nowadays. Indeed we forget that there are more straightforward ways where through which we can donate to save elderly, simpler than just paying cash without knowing the actual cause.
Old age shelters often require extra help and donations, especially during winter holidays and rainy seasons. So if you want to spread some kindness, do it to them because they are the people staying away from their loved ones because of some uncomfortable circumstances and situations. They will value your time and every piece of donation towards them, .so help them donate them and get their unconditional love and blessings.
Items you can donate to old age shelters
Here are some items you can donate to support save elderly:
#1 Personal care items
Undoubtedly, the items you donate will be beneficial to them. It doesn’t matter the weather outside; donating personal care items is the most important thing you can contribute.
Here is the list of items that you can donate as personal care item
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
- Floss
- Bodywash, soaps, and hair shampoos
- Hand soap and sanitizers
- Brushes, combs
- Towels and napkins
- Hair oil and moisturizers
#2 Donate cookware/food
You can only donate non-perishable food items and cookware in good condition. Donations of food can be best paired with local market stores and charities to know what would be the best according to their age and health.
In addition, you can donate pots, containers, utensils, cookware, spoons, serving dishes, and cutlery.
#3 Donation of clothes
Donating clothes is one of the most—common ways to contribute to the elderly shade. But, at the same time, you should know what kind of clothes are accepted.So it’s better to check the clothing requirements before donating.
Items in clothes can include
- Shawls
- Socks
- Towels
- Innerwear
- Dresses
#4 Games and puzzles
Give a gift to the older adults that can keep them engaged and minds active and provide hours of fun. Games like scrabble, checkers, chess, and Jenga would be beneficial.
#5 Medical kit
You can contact the particular shelters and note the required medicines according to their needs and requirements. In addition, you can include masks, gloves, band-aids, medicated wipes, and bandages in the donation kits,
#6 Large print books
Reading is one of the best ways to pass their time and keep their minds sharp, and larger fonts will help them make sure everyone can enjoy them.
#7 Fresh fruits
Fresh fruit is one of the frequently requested items; according to employees of the nursing homes, it’s better for them than hard solid food. Keeping in mind any members’ dietary restrictions, you can also set a monthly delivery of fruits for them.
#8 Time
The most beautiful donation can be your time. Not every resident has loved ones who often visit .you can make a new friend. Spend time with them and read to someone you don’t know or ask them how their day was; most people would love socializing and companionship.
#9 Diabetic socks
It’s common among residents to have diabetes, and those unique socks make lie so comfortable .make sure they are slip-resistant.
#10 Flashlights
A flashlight can be one of the most recommended and requested items for donation. It would be beneficial for them to read, to search for their items in the dark easily.
#11 Furniture
Many older adults have backbone issues and different cervical pain. You can ask about the requirements and donate some foldable chairs, mattresses, beds, and walking sticks.
#12 Senior-friendly manicure kits
Many older adults have nails that are hard to cut—donating a nail kit that works efficiently for toenails and may not exert. In addition, a firm grip can be handy.
#13 Denture adhesive, cleansers
According to the dental experts and some expert researched articles, loose, painful teeth or ill-fitting dentures are common. So donating these items will reduce their burden and help them a lot.
#14 Cleaning supplies
You can also donate the cleaning items to their nursing homes like
- Dishwasher
- Washroom cleaning liquids
- Mops
- Floor mats
- Brooms
- Room freshener
Best Places to Donate to Save Elderly
Here are some best places to donate to save elderly:
Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America began in 1954 when a small group of Philadelphia residents decided to help their elderly neighbors by delivering food to those who were homebound. Over the years, the organization has grown significantly and now supports more than 5,000 local programs across the United States, all focused on providing meals to senior citizens.
Meals on Wheels America offers nutritious meals to seniors who struggle with getting out of their homes. In addition to meal delivery, the organization promotes in-home visits and safety checks, helping to reduce isolation among older adults and ensuring their overall well-being.
Meals on Wheels America serves meal services to approximately 2.4 million seniors each year. In 2020 alone, they delivered over 144 million meals across the United States. Impressively, 9 out of 10 recipients have shared that receiving these meals has allowed them to maintain their independence.
Justice in Aging
Justice in Aging was established in 1972 by Terry Hatter with the mission to defend the rights of low-income seniors. Today, the organization continues its work through advocacy, pushing for laws that safeguard the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of elderly citizens.
Justice in Aging actively advocates for federal and state legislation to protect and expand seniors’ rights. Their efforts concentrate on two key areas: healthcare and economic security. The organization works to guarantee that every senior has access to essential healthcare programs and social security benefits without facing discrimination. Additionally, they provide litigation services and offer training for legal professionals, ensuring that seniors can uphold their rights through the court system.
As of today, Justice in Aging’s training program for legal professionals includes 53,000 members. In 2021, this training empowered the organization to challenge discriminatory healthcare policies in 11 states, specifically targeting practices that affected seniors. Additionally, Justice in Aging played a key role in a lawsuit during the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully advocating for the enforcement of translation services for seniors with limited English proficiency.
The Pension Rights Center
Founded in 1976 by Karen Ferguson, the Pension Rights Center was established to secure financial stability for senior Americans in retirement. Today, the organization continues its mission by advocating for legislation that safeguards the financial rights of seniors who rely on pensions in the United States.
The Pension Rights Center actively safeguards financial retirement rights by lobbying for national legislation in the United States. Additionally, they provide two referral services designed to assist senior citizens with any questions or issues related to drawing their pensions.
To date, the Pension Rights Center has successfully recovered over $175 million in pensions for older Americans. They also played a crucial role in advocating for the Butch Lewis Act, which provides funding to severely troubled pension plans, ensuring that these plans can continue to support retirees at least until 2051.
Second Wind Dreams
Founded in 1997 by P.K. Bellville, Second Wind Dreams was created to grant the wishes of seniors residing in long-term care facilities. Today, the organization operates in over 1,000 eldercare communities, continuing its mission to bring joy and fulfillment to seniors.
Second Wind Dreams helps make the wishes and dreams of older adults living in senior care facilities come true, from simple desires to lifelong dreams. Some examples of fulfilled dreams include parasailing, undergoing a makeover with a photoshoot, and attending a World Series baseball game. During the holiday season, the organization provides gifts and companionship to seniors without family. Additionally, they offer dementia training for professionals to enhance the care provided in these communities.
Since their founding, Second Wind Dreams has granted tens of thousands of wishes, averaging around 200 dreams fulfilled each month. Their dementia training program has reached 3.4 million people across 20 countries, significantly impacting the quality of care for those affected by dementia.
Conclusion
Donating valuable items to elderly shelters is a great way to give back to society. Unfortunately, not everyone is as fortunate as you are, so we should always be ready to donate to save elderly with a few affordable things to make their lives easy and happy. Get the items noted in your list and consult the local charities that they accept and contribute to the elderly shelters as much as you can.
Sources:
- (https://impactful.ninja/best-charities-for-senior-citizens/#1)
