Need a resource to find the best gift ideas for male caregivers? Gifts men will appreciate and use? You have come to the right place!
It might be a surprise to learn that there are male caregivers. But, guess what, it’s true! So, it makes sense to have a handy list of the best gift ideas for male caregivers in your life.
Although, I’m guessing that you don’t have time – or ideas – to make a list.
That’s why I created this list for you!
For your convenience, I’ve provided a table of contents with quick links below. You may also find something helpful in my post called Gifts for Caregivers: The Ultimate Gift Guide.
When I worked as a nurse providing home health care services, it was not unusual to visit homes where the caregiver was the man of the house.
It was encouraging to learn that most men are very concerned about doing a good job as caregivers. I also learned how much they appreciate help from others and thoughtful gifts to make their caregiving day easier.
Male caregivers are providing unpaid care to a variety of their family members.
According to one resource:
A large percentage of caregivers are caring for a parent or parent-in-law (49%), while one in 10 (10%) is providing care for a spouse.
AARP 2015 Report
Men can be excellent caregivers.
A recent conversation with my dad, who is the caregiver for my mom (who has health and memory problems), and my brother (who needed care while recovering from a severe leg injury), gave me some great gift and service ideas.
Best Gift Ideas for Male Caregivers
I do not live close to my parents, so I usually give my caregiving help from a distance. I do a lot of coordination of care and assist with healthcare system navigation.
But, I also help in other ways.
One day, I asked, “Dad, what are the things that people do or bring (gift) to you that are either the most helpful or most meaningful to you? Please be as honest as possible!”
Probably not surprising, a mix of services and products was the biggest help and the most appreciated.
Because caregiving is extremely stressful, anything to reduce the stress of caregiving is a welcome gift.
Services that Make the Best Gift Ideas for Male Caregivers
Some of the services that have helped my dad (actually both of my parents) have been services provided by friends and volunteers.
But, we’ve also hired some of these services when necessary.
Transportation
Patients and caregivers throughout my nursing career have shared their frustrations with me. Driving to medical appointments is stressful for many people!
I’ve also learned this to be true for my parents.
So, transportation has been a big help to them.
While elderly caregivers can drive short distances, they get tired and overwhelmed driving for long distances.
Rides to the correct entrance at the university hospitals (with large parking lots), doctor appointments, therapy visits, and various procedures are priceless to caregivers and patients.
Several years ago, my mom received chemotherapy treatments, and my dad went to outpatient rehab. Friends drove them to some of those visits, which was very encouraging to both of my parents.
Housekeeping
Another highly valued service has been housekeeping.
We were lucky to have a family member who has her own housekeeping business (and she had an opening!), so I hired her services for my parents once a month (for now).
If you do not know someone personally, I have found housekeepers on Care.com. They have free and premium options.
The premium option allows you to search their database, seek references and compare.
The free version allows you to post a job so people can email a bid to you. I recommend using the free version to try it, and if you think you’ll use it for a while, purchase the premium plan to get the greatest value – and the best information to make decisions.
While not a service my dad needs right now, some may appreciate a gift of respite care or a hired caregiver. Care.com would be a great resource for this too.
Outside/Yard Services
Depending on their living arrangement, help with outside projects may be a good idea.
My dad mows the lawn and works in the yard to relax, so we don’t hire this out for him. But for some male caregivers, lawn services would be a great idea.
During the fall, my family has hired people to clean out their gutters or rake leaves (and pinecones). But my dad prefers to do his own clean-out of his garden and flower beds.
And during the winter, neighbors have helped my parents by shoveling (or snow blowing) snow off the driveway and sidewalks.
Products that Make the Best Ideas for Male Caregivers
Homemade food
My dad is a great baker and cook, but he still appreciates a homemade meal or dessert once in a while. Especially something like the good ‘ole comfort food he grew up on.
So if the male caregiver in your life is NOT a good cook or baker, this may be his most precious gift.
Cooking a meal or dessert for someone else is no small feat. So make it easier on yourself (and the caregiver).
First, send everything in sturdy, disposable dishes (#pd link), so they don’t have to worry about returning them to you (unless you want to make another visit to pick them up – which is okay too!).
And second, use this casserole transporter (#pd link) to keep everything organized – and your car clean. If you’ve ever taken a meal to someone, you know how embarrassing it is if you have to throw everything into a cardboard box or have a mess of chili all over the outside of the dish.
Fun Snack Food
Or, your male caregiver may prefer a box of snacks that will last a while and offer a ton of variety!
Gift Card Ideas for Male Caregivers
Gift cards for any of the services mentioned above will be helpful.
Some of the best gift cards will be very practical – things to help pay for basics the family uses daily or a fun splurge.
Restaurant gift cards are appreciated. But it may not be used as how you think.
If it’s easy for everyone to get out of the house and sit at a booth or table in public, a sit-down restaurant card might be nice.
These cards give the caregiver a chance to get out of the house, a night off from cooking, and a night away from KP duty.
But something like Subway or Panera might work better for people who have trouble getting out. Food that is fast and can be delivered or easy to pick up and bring home may be most appreciated.
And of course, it might be fun for them to go out just for a treat. Ice cream, coffee, or even a donut might be a perfect gift!
Visa cards, grocery store cards, or debit cards are helpful because it is practical and useful. It’s fun to occasionally splurge on a steak or something extra.
Family caregivers have to spend so much money on medications, doctor bills, treatments, therapies, etc that gift cards for everyday things really help and can be used for something fun once in a while.
Finally, my dad stated gift cards to home improvement stores were extremely helpful. “Something always needs fixing, so I’m bound to use it sooner or later.”
The Best Ideas for Male Caregivers are the Ones that Show You Care About Them
As I was talking longer to my dad about all of this, he eventually said:
It’s the personal visits & phone calls that help the most. It can get lonely and we aren’t getting out like we used to do.
A simple trip to the grocery store or gas station used to mean you’d to run into old friends where you just stand and talk for 30 minutes to get caught up on things.
But, those trips aren’t simple anymore, so they are fewer and farther between. So, a short and simple visit to the house or a phone call is always welcome. In fact it’s a treasure.
In closing, the best ideas for male caregivers don’t have to be super flashy or trendy.
They don’t have to be expensive.
In the end, the ideas that are a bit practical and just a bit fun produce the right combination to make a male caregiver’s day – and life – a little easier.
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Hi, I’m Lisa! Thanks for visiting My Life Nurse, where we provide people who serve and take care of others with easy self-care plans and systems, wellness strategies, and scripture-based encouragement so you can stay happy, healthy and rejuvenated. I’ve found that many people struggle with caring for themselves while taking care of others, but they also feel called to serve others, so they keep working even when they’re stressed and exhausted. That’s why I combine my nursing expertise with Scripture-based teaching. Our readers love learning how to walk closer to the Lord to improve their self-care – so they can begin their journey to feel better – without feeling guilty. Be sure to grab your FREE Self-care StarTer Guide!