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Dec. 19, 2001 -- It's crunch time for holiday shopping. But what do you plan to give that person dealing with diabetes, arthritis, asthma, back pain, or hearing loss every day?
For ideas, WebMD turned to the experts -- the knowledgeable folks in our community groups and a few of the national organizations.
Skin cream is a wonderful idea -- peppermint-scented, for the holidays, says Phyllis Barrier, MSRD, CDE, from the American Diabetes Association. "People with diabetes tend to have dry, cracked skin," she tells WebMD. "They would love skin cream."
Tickets or gift certificates to activities, like bowling, miniature golf, or skating also help people get active -- and keep obesity at bay. "These are great family gifts," Barrier says. "They get people away from their sedentary ways."
Gift certificates for a healthy-food restaurant or health-food grocery store also are good, "so they can swing by and pick up dinner," she adds.
Dulcinea1 on WebMD's diabetes community message board suggests: Diabetic cookbooks, fruit-of-the-month club membership, or an iced tea maker (an easy alternative to carbonated drinks). And don't forget the exercise equipment.
From Twkvstoor: "How about a gift certificate to a day spa? I know it sounds weird, but ever since I was diagnosed, I felt less attractive. A day at a spa can really help those lost feelings come back."
From healthygal3: "I think that you might want to try a pair of really thick, one-size-fits-all black or brown booties ... They are good for poor circulation."
For someone with arthritis...
From jpapas28 on the arthritis message board: "A foot massager with jets ... a paraffin wax machine ... Or a massage would be great!"
From kenspice: "magnetic energy products like insoles."
The Arthritis Foundation also suggests these and other easy-to-use products:
From mmarsha4 on the asthma message board: "... a room air cleaner/purifier."
From KAGSS: "... gourmet coffee. I know that when it is cold and humid I have trouble breathing, so some extra hot coffee sometimes helps."
From icevid: "A nebulizer...[and] friendship that endures through sickness."
From AlwaysHurtin on the back pain message board: "...my heating pad is my best friend!"
From wantobesure: "... a body pillow (in addition to my husband). It really helps support me through the night."
From Leeniesback2: "heating pad ... with an insert (filled with gel) ... convenient, comfy and portable ... gift certificate for a pedicure ... I have a terrible time trying to clip my toenails. (It hurts to bend over.)"
An amplified telephone is "an excellent idea" for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, says Liza Enriquez, an audiology specialist at the El Paso Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Texas. But remember that "They won't work at all for moderate-severe profound hearing loss," she tells WebMD.
"Or, get the amplifier and hook it up to your own phone," she says. "It takes the place of the cord, has a volume control, so you don't have to buy the whole phone."
Assisted listening device (ALD) alarm clocks have a little vibrator for your pillow or mattress, or have flashing light or strobe, she says. "They're very helpful."
Check with your local deaf and hard-of-hearing center -- or an audiologist -- about catalogs carrying other specialty items: alarm clocks with amplified ringers, door bell signalers, phone signalers, and fire alarm signalers.
Some signalers have a vibrating pager that works with receivers to let you know if the phone or doorbell is ringing, or the baby is crying -- "it picks up the sound pitch," she says.
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WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.
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