My Amazon Favorites
Note: Pricing updated October 2020
BOOKS I RECOMMEND for you
Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant?: A Memoir
by Roz Chast
Highly recommended in the early stages of diagnosis for you + your Caregiving Parent.
This easy-read is in comic form. My mom started to accept my dad’s diagnosis when she read this. You’ll laugh as you read it too!
The Caregiver’s Guide to Dementia: Practical Advice
by Gail Weatherill, RN, CAEd
A positive and practical perspective on all dementia stages.
There are excellent examples of family dynamics, and there’s “Questions to Ask the Doctor” in this book too. Super helpful and chock-full of down-to-earth tips.
No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering
by Thich Nhat Hanh
Helpful in every dementia stage.
The most inspiring book I’ve ever read that truly spoke to my dementia journey. It gave me hope, taught me how to transform my suffering into joy, and it helped form my mindfulness practice into what it is today.
TECH for simplifying your life
Listed from early to late-stage dementia
Google Nest Security Cam (1 camera)
Recommended for early-stage dementia.
Check to ensure Your Forgetful Parent is safe while you’re long-distance. I have a set of Nest cams, and they’ve been amazing for keeping track of our pets when we’re gone for the weekend. Not to mention peace of mind for the safety of our house :) I recommend placing this in their living room, so you can see a majority of their activity, and you don’t risk invading their privacy.
Tile Mate (Pack of 4 Tiles)
Recommended for early-stage dementia.
When Your Forgetful Parent starts to misplace keys, their wallet, or anything else super important. Get 2 Tiles for your Caregiving Parent and 2 for Your Forgetful Parent. Or try them out first, and see for yourself! My parents found them helpful, and I even own a 4 pack of Tiles myself. Tiles have been a game changer for me — an amazing relief to that “Oh no! I’m late for that meeting! Where are my keys?!” anxiety.
Alexa Echo Dot (3rd generation)
Recommended for all stages, but the earlier you can get one, the better.
Numerous dementia studies have shown music memory is one of the skills that lasts ‘til the final days. My parents would use their Dot all the time, playing my Dad’s favorite songs! They loved that they could just ask Alexa to play a song without pushing a button! It’s like the modern-day jukebox!
If you can only get one item on this entire page, get this one.
American Heritage Industries’ Digital Clock with Alarm
Recommended for early stage dementia.
If Your Forgetful Parent is starting to lose their sense of time, and asks the date and time over and over again, this is a perfect solution. Be sure to get the brown frame here, since it looks like a picture frame, and the contrast in colors will be important as the disease progresses.
Alexa Echo Show 8
Recommended for all stages, but the earlier you can get one, the better.
This is a favorite device among many dementia caregivers. I first found out about it through a daughter of dementia I worked with. She talked about how convenient it was to be able to check in on her mom if she hadn’t heard from her, and her mom loved the happy surprise of seeing her daughter’s face!
Google Nest Security Cam (Pack of 3 cameras)
Recommended for mid-late stage dementia.
As the disease progresses, you’ll need more cameras to ensure Your Forgetful Parent’s safety. I recommend installing a camera on each level of their house (if applicable). These cameras are also helpful for monitoring home care aides and other professionals providing assistance to Your Parents. Ideal for placing in living room, bedroom, and dining room, or any other room where Your Forgetful Parent spends most of their time.
fun things for your forgetful parent
Listed from early to late-stage dementia
Note: The stages I list here are not hard and fast, because each person is different when it comes to their interests, and how their dementia progresses. But you’re the expert.
The key is to find something that engages Your Forgetful Parent based on where they are in the dementia. Keep in mind their unique passions, and what abilities they still have. In my personal experience with my dad, activities are a trial and error process. Get a few of these and see if they’re a good fit. The wonderful thing about Amazon is that you can easily return things if they’re not a hit with your mom or dad.
Springbok’s 500 Piece Puzzle - Cozy Cabin Life
Recommended for early-stage dementia.
I really love Springbok. The pieces are sturdy and the designs are bright and therapeutic for Forgetful People. In the early stages, you can start with a puzzle with smaller pieces, like this one. It will be challenging, but not stressful for your Forgetful Parent to put together themselves.
Springbok’s 100 Piece Puzzle - Garden Helper
Recommended for early-mid stage dementia.
If your Forgetful Parent is starting to struggle with a 500 piece puzzle, here’s a different Springbok puzzle with bigger pieces. This kitten was the exact design I got my dad. And if cats aren’t your mom or dad’s favorite, you can find a ton of other designs by Springbok with 100 pieces.
Stuff2Color’s Fuzzy Velvet Coloring Posters (Pack of 6) - Animals & Fairy Tale Scenes
Recommended for mid-stage dementia.
My dad wasn’t big into creating art during his disease, but if Your Forgetful Parent is, these fuzzy posters are ideal. The fuzziness is comforting to the touch, and it helps your mom or dad color within the lines. This design is the best if Your Forgetful Parent loves animals.
Stuff2Color’s Fuzzy Velvet Coloring Posters (Pack of 18) - 1950’s, 60’s & 70’s
Recommended for mid-stage dementia.
More fuzzy posters to color! This “Decades Edition” is perfect if your mom or dad is starting to reminisce about their past. Try asking them questions. From their answers, you’ll be able to see where they’ve time traveled to in their mind. For example, in much of his mid-stage dementia, my dad saw himself as a married man in his 20’s. He would’ve loved the 60’s & 70’s fuzzy posters.
Hibery’s Mini Koosh Balls (Pack of 5)
Recommended for mid-stage dementia.
Is Your Forgetful Parent scratching their arms or doing other nervous physical behaviors when they’re bored? If so, fidget toys are the solution! I love these koosh-like balls because they’re easy to play with. Dad used to be an athlete, and tossing one of these back and forth with him can bring up fond his memories of playing his favorite sports.
TreeTrade’s Fidget Toys (Variety Pack of 32 Toys)
Recommended for mid-late stage dementia.
More fidget toys for your mom or dad as the disease continues to progress. This pack was recommended to me by a fellow daughter of dementia, and I love it! There are more than 10 different types of fidget toys, so you’re guaranteed to find at least one toy that your Forgetful Parent will like.
American Heritage Industries’ Fidget Pillow Cover
Recommended for mid-late stage dementia.
When the fidget toys are starting to get lost, this is the next best thing! I wish I found this pillow last year for my dad — it’s less expensive and more convenient than a fidget quilt. With a zipper, multi-colored beads, and different fabric textures, it can keep Your Forgetful Parent’s hands busy and their brains engaged.
Springbok’s 36 Piece Puzzle - The Malt Shop
Recommended for late-stage dementia.
Another Springbok favorite. Since my dad spent much of his time traveling back to his 20’s, I bought him this puzzle. It’s got bigger pieces, and is more reminiscent of the good old days, compared to the puzzles I listed above. I’ll never forget the huge smile on my Dad’s face when he completed this without help!
Aurora World’s Flopsie Kitten, Lily - 12”
Recommended for mid-late stage dementia.
As the dementia continues toward the late stage, Your Forgetful Parent’s anxiety will increase. They’ll find an incredible amount of comfort in petting fluffy animals. A wonderful (and safer) alternative for a pet is a stuffed plush animal. I got my dad this exact gray plush, since he had a gray cat in his 20’s that he adored. It was super soft, and he loved it.
Active Minds’s 13 Piece Puzzle - Dog
Recommended for late-stage dementia.
When the 36-piece puzzle becomes too difficult, this durable 13-piece puzzle is great! This company won the National Dementia Day Care Award in 2015. And the best part about this puzzle is that it comes with a template tray inside the box to help Your Forgetful Parent put it together. Ideal if your mom or dad is spending a lot more time in bed.
Aurora World’s Flopsie Goldie Labrador Dog - 12”
Recommended for mid-late stage dementia.
Is Your Forgetful Parent a dog person? Another wonderful (and safer) alternative for a bet is this stuffed plush dog by Aurora World. It’s super soft and huggable, and, fair warning: if your mom or dad lives in a memory care home, you’ll find that other residents will “borrow” this a lot, so it’s nice that this is so inexpensive :)
loving something, and don’t see it on my list?
Let me know!
I’m always looking for more products to recommend :)