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Finding a meaningful gift for a mum or grandma with dementia can feel overwhelming. Dementia changes how a person experiences the world, making it harder to choose presents they’ll truly enjoy or find useful. But the good news is that there are many thoughtful, dementia-friendly gifts that can still spark joy, comfort and connection at every stage of the dementia journey.
Whether you're celebrating Mother’s Day, a birthday or simply want to brighten her day, the ideas below are designed to match your loved one's abilities, reflect her personality and make her feel loved.
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Gifts for Early Stages of Dementia
Gifts for Mid Stages of Dementia
Gifts for Later Stages of Dementia
Tips for Choosing the Right Gift for a Mum with Dementia
Any thoughtful gift is chosen with the interests and needs of the recipient in mind – and the same is true for mothers and grandmothers with dementia!
Tailor the gift to your loved one’s capabilities
Dementia is a progressive condition. A person’s needs will change as they move through the different stages. The ideal gift for a person with early-stage dementia is unlikely to suit someone with advanced dementia, so it’s important to tailor your gifts accordingly. Always consider the capabilities of your loved one when buying gifts, as they are unlikely to enjoy something they can’t engage with.
If you’re unsure which stage of dementia your loved one is at, take our Find Your Stage quiz for guidance.
Bear in mind any other conditions
Dementia can affect people at any age, but it is most common among older members of the population. Therefore, it is also important to keep any other health or mobilities they may have in mind.
Reflect your loved one’s personality
Finally (and, most importantly), the best gifts are those that reflect the personality of your loved one. No matter what stage of dementia a person has, a familiar song, scent, or photograph can trigger pleasant memories. If you can find something that speaks to their personal hobbies and interests, you are more likely to spark engagement and joy.
Gifts for Mums and Grandmas with Early-Stage Dementia
1. ‘Monet’s Garden’
This puzzle’s vibrant colours and calming imagery invite quiet concentration, offering a tactile experience that’s soothing and mentally stimulating.
The cognitive stimulation of games and puzzles has also been found to improve the overall health of people with dementia by:
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Improving mood
- Boosting memory skills
- Improving overall cognitive function
- Reducing behavioural disturbances and agitation
Suitable for early stages of dementia.
2. The ‘Sunset in Paris’ 100-piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Puzzles and games are fantastic gifts for people with early-stage dementia, as they create opportunities to spend quality time, converse, and connect. Working on a jigsaw together can encourage social interaction, help to maintain cognitive function and verbal communication skills, and set up a positive, light-hearted atmosphere that boosts mood. Solitary puzzles can reduce stress and anxiety, bringing a sense of calm to your loved one’s life.
Depending on your mum or grandma’s capabilities, they may enjoy a larger puzzle. Relish stocks a wide range of jigsaw puzzles with varying piece numbers.
Suitable for early stages of dementia.
3. All About Us Dementia-Friendly Board Game
If your mum or grandma isn’t into jigsaws, there are plenty of other interactive games you can play together. All About Us is a board game developed specifically for people with dementia and can be played with any number of people.
All About Us is a game best suited for those with early-stage dementia, but there’s no right or wrong way to play. Ideal for family visits or care home settings, this storytelling game makes it easier for caregivers to spark conversation and laughter, strengthening emotional bonds.
Suitable for early stages of dementia.
4. Day Hub Dementia-Friendly Reminder Clock
The Day Hub makes a thoughtful and practical gift for mums or grandmas with dementia. It combines a large digital day clock with interchangeable activity cards, custom task alerts, and a simple tick-off system for completed tasks.
The Day Hub provides gentle reminders to help loved ones keep to a daily routine more easily while also giving carers helpful visibility into what has or hasn’t been done - bringing reassurance, structure, and more independence to everyone’s day.
Suitable for early stages of dementia.
Browse our full range of dementia-friendly clocks here.
5. Circuit Marble Maze
Designed to be simultaneously calming and entertaining, the Circuit Marble Maze challenges dexterity and coordination. Players simply guide the marble around the track by tilting the maze with both hands. Twist. Turn. Back-up. Repeat! The simple movement of guiding the marble through the maze can have a calming effect, reducing anxiety.
Suitable for early to mid stages of dementia.
Gifts for the Mid-Stages of Dementia
6. Blooming Lovely
Choosing the right dementia-friendly game will depend heavily on your mum’s or grandma’s personal capabilities. Jigsaw puzzles come in all sizes, and those with too many pieces may fail to interest people with mid-stage dementia.
Instead, consider simpler puzzles like the Blooming Lovely jigsaw set. With only 13 pieces, this puzzle is suitable for people with reduced physical or cognitive capabilities, but it has a bright, engaging design that is sure to please.
It also offers a calming, shared activity for caregivers and family members.
Suitable for mid stages of dementia.
7. Lily Pond
The Relish online store offers a range of jigsaw designs, making it easier to find an image that speaks to your loved one’s interests. For example, nature lovers may enjoy the tranquillity of the ‘Lily Pond’ puzzle.
Suitable for mid stages of dementia.
6. Snakes and Ladders or Ludo Board Game
For those in the mid-stages of dementia, classic board games like Snakes and Ladders or Ludo can stimulate engagement and invite interaction.
The familiarity of such well-known games may help to put loved ones with dementia at ease, and their simple format can make them more appealing for those with memory loss.
Caregivers can use these games as low-pressure ways to connect, turning a quiet afternoon into a meaningful, shared moment – no need to explain new rules.
Suitable for mid stages of dementia.
Shop Snakes & Ladders and Ludo
9. The Handyman Magnetic Picture Board
When photos fail, there are lots of other reminiscence tools to stimulate the mind and prompt happy memories. Magnetic picture boards, like the Handyman Picture Board, are designed to stimulate and bring joy to people with mid-stage dementia.
The movable pieces, the flexibility of gameplay, and the bright, detailed design can all engage someone with a love of DIY.
Suitable for mid to late stages of dementia.
Shop the Handyman Magnetic Picture Board
Gifts for Later Stages of Dementia
10. Aquapaint Art Therapy Kits
Arts and crafts aren’t only fun; they can also be therapeutic! Art therapy can improve the overall well-being and quality of life of people with dementia, so a craft kit may be the perfect gift. If you want to buy an arty gift for a grandmother or mum living with dementia, we suggest the Garden Wonders Aquapaint kit.
These beautifully designed painting kits are specifically designed for those with mid-to-late stage dementia. Just dip a brush in water and watch soothing images appear in soft, pastel tones – an instantly rewarding sensory experience that blends colour, movement and memory.
Suitable for late stages of dementia.
If your loved one isn’t much of a gardener, don’t fret! There is a wide variety of Aquapaint kits to choose from, ranging from ‘Farm Memories’ to ‘Wonderful Animals'.
These no-mess painting kits can be set up quickly, offering moments of calm and creative joy without cleanup or preparation.
Suitable for late stages of dementia.
Explore our full range of art products for people with dementia here.
11. The Fidget Widget Toolkit
For people with late-stage dementia, tactile items and fidget toys can provide a much-needed outlet for agitation and restlessness. Fidget toys are thought to generally reduce stress and anxiety in those who use them, which can be especially beneficial for people with dementia.
The Fidget Widget Toolkit is a set of five unique widgets, each with a smooth, tactile design.
With five different tactile experiences in one set, this toolkit offers flexible options to calm restlessness or redirect nervous energy during difficult moments, without needing verbal interaction.
It can take some trial and error to find a toy that suits your loved one’s needs. The variety of widgets in the Fidget Toolkit gives your loved one the freedom to explore different sensory experiences and identify their preferences.
Suitable for late stages of dementia.
Shop the Fidget Widget Toolkit
12. Tactile Turn Dementia Fidget Toy
Everyone likes to use fidget toys in different ways, and some people with dementia may not enjoy the cool, hard texture of widgets. For those who prefer soft, squishy textures, toys like the Tactile Turn may be more suitable.
With its soft, squishy texture and smooth contours, the Tactile Turn offers a gentle sensory escape for restless hands, ideal for calming moments during periods of agitation. This fidget toy is easy to hold and designed to be visually and textually pleasing. It has an unlimited range of motion and can be contorted or squished any which way, providing a good outlet for those with restless hands.
Suitable for late stages of dementia.
Gifts Suitable for All Stages of Dementia
13. Relish Dementia Radio
From the warm tone of a classic crooner to the gentle hum of a familiar waltz, this radio fills the room with comforting sounds designed to spark joy and recognition.
Studies have found that music therapy has significant benefits for people with dementia, such as:
- Improvements in overall cognition
- Improvements in verbal communication
- Reduction in anxiety and depression
- Reduced agitation and stress
- Improvements in overall mood
A radio can also be used to prompt conversation during visits. Discussing a particular song or recalling a memory attached to a piece of music can be highly therapeutic for people with dementia while providing them with the cognitive stimulation necessary to maintain a good quality of life. What’s more, this simple music player has been designed to be easy to use for those with dementia.
Suitable for any stage of dementia.
Where to find dementia-friendly gifts for your mum or grandma
Finding an appropriate gift for someone with dementia can look like a daunting task, especially if you don’t know where to start! In many cases, identifying enjoyable activities for loved ones with dementia can take a little trial and error.
Luckily, Relish is a great place to browse for inspiration. Our wide range of products includes gifts for loved ones with dementia of all personality types, with items suited to those at different stages of dementia.
Browse our full range of dementia-friendly games to find something your mum or grandma will love.
