Seniors are too often stereotyped as feeble, cognitively impaired, boring, or incompetent. And often, the way seniors are treated and the things they are given reflect those assumptions. In reality, seniors want to live rich, fulfilling, vibrant lives. So whether you’re a senior yourself or you’re looking for something a senior loved one would appreciate, it sometimes helps to think outside the box. Here are the six unexpected things seniors want the most. 

1. Connection

It’s no secret that loneliness is a problem for many seniors. Connection is important, especially if you live away from your loved ones. One creative way to feel connected is through a friendship lamp. You and your friend or family member each have a lamp, and whenever one of you is thinking of the other, you simply reach out and touch it. Their lamp then lights up to let them know. It’s a simple way to stay connected, and it’s lovely to know that your loved one is thinking of you, even if you don’t have time for a phone call.

2. To Be Remembered

Many people find that as they age, it becomes important to record their memories, family tree, and advice for their loved ones. Yet it can be difficult to know where to start. A guided journal could be the perfect solution. It provides helpful questions and prompts that make it easy to record your memories. Plus, most guided journals also come with additional blank pages for you to record notes to your loved ones or write down stories that didn’t fit into the prompts. 

3. Divine Scents

Seniors often transition from bathtubs to showers. It’s a practical choice that may be due to mobility challenges, fears of falling, or simply moving to a senior living community that has showers instead of tubs. But if you’re someone who used to enjoy soaking in the tub with scented oils or bath bombs, that’s an experience you’re likely to miss. Fortunately, you can enjoy the same relaxing aromas with shower steamers. Just place one in the corner of your shower and enjoy the heavenly scent it emits.

4. Better Ringtones

The range of pitches we hear naturally narrows as we age. As a result, seniors frequently have difficulty hearing their phone or doorbell ring. And that, in turn, leads to missing calls and visitors they wanted to receive. If you’re having trouble hearing your phone or doorbell, it’s worth changing your ringtone or getting a different device. Tones that are lower in pitch and last longer typically work better.

5. Spice

Our sense of taste and smell tends to diminish as we age, and that can lead to food being less enjoyable than it once was. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix. Adding spice to your food greatly improves the taste. A set of high-quality spices makes an excellent gift or addition to your kitchen. Look for strong flavors and fragrances, like onion, rosemary, and pepper.

6. Experiences

Retirement often offers greater freedom than any other point in your life. That’s why many seniors want to seek out as many wonderful experiences as they can. Traveling, finding new hobbies, enjoying fine dining, and attending plays and sports events are all popular experiences seniors want to have. 

More than anything, seniors want to lead vibrant, fulfilling lives. So seek out the things that make your life more enjoyable.

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