The Ultimate Gift Guide for Someone With Chronic Illness
2909 Tech Center Drive, Santa Ana, CA 92705
T 714-975-9330 C 714-514-8038
bwaeger@alignmed.com alignmed.com
The Ultimate Gift Guide for Someone With Chronic Illness
Yes, cancer patients need a doll whose hair they can pull – or throw against a wall.
Is holiday shopping leaving you frustrated? We've all been there – perplexed, scratching our head, thinking, "What do I buy the person who seems to have everything?" Holiday gift giving gets even trickier when it comes to buying the perfect gift for someone who has something they don't want – a chronic illness. So instead of picking up another box of chocolates or mug and cocoa set from your local drugstore, consider the following gifts. These products range from funny and unique to practical and necessary – most of all, they're perfect for anyone suffering from a chronic illness, such as cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, migraines and so on. No matter which gift you choose, your special someone will appreciate the thought and love involved.
Dammit Dolls. For those of us suffering from chronic illness, moments of frustration occasionally happen. Luckily Dammit Dolls come to the rescue! When I first saw these dolls, I laughed and wondered why I had not received one yet from my friends (hint, hint). They're a fresh twist on stress relief dolls, come in a variety of colors and include a funny and uplifting poem on the front. Best of all, you can pull the doll's hair, throw it against the wall or whack the crap out of it when illness is stressing you out. There's even a special Dammit Cancer Doll.
Triderma. Radiation can be hard on skin, sometimes causing itching, peeling and redness. Triderma's unique healing skin cream can help minimize radiation's skin-damaging effects and possibly reduce the need for breaks, so you can stay on track with treatments. Made with Certified Virgin Aloe and botanicals, this cream is a must-have for anyone undergoing radiation.
Dreampad. How does a massage to the nervous system sound? If your loved one is looking for a non-pharmaceutical sleep and relaxation aid, consider a Dreampad. Dreampad stands apart due to the unique way a user hears music. Music is sent as a vibration, which travels internally and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (our nervous system's relaxation response). This product may just help your special someone deal with anxiety and insomnia.
Casetify. Anyone suffering from a chronic or terminal illness can always use encouragement. Considering almost everyone carries a cell phone or tablet, what better way than to use that as the perfect "pick me up" tool? Casetify lets you take your favorite Facebook photos (or photos saved on your computer) to design a one-of-a-kind case. Designs can be created in a variety of ways, with filters and other extras. It's an ideal way for your loved one to regularly be reminded of fun memories and the special people in his or her life.
KidzCanDesign. Get your children on board in creating a unique gift for that special person in their life. KidzCanDesign takes children's drawings and turns them into thoughtful, high-quality sterling silver necklaces, dog tags, bracelets and more. It's the ideal way to make your loved one smile while they deal with a difficult experience.
VapeXhale's Cloud Evo. The Cloud Evo vaporizer is the perfect gift for those taking medicinal marijuana or who prefer to use natural herbs/essential oils to treat anxiety, acid reflux, pain, congestion and more. The unit gives you complete control over dosage and achieving the precise temperature. This advanced, high-end all-glass vaporizer is ideal for someone with chronic/terminal illness who is looking to relieve specific symptoms through holistic remedies.
TREATMiNT BOX. If your loved one is a fan of subscription boxes (and honestly, who isn't?), then check out TREATMiNT BOX, the first subscription box for someone with cancer. Each box contains four to five practical and heartwarming gifts for cancer patients/survivors, and currently comes in men's or women's boxes (girls and boys coming soon). This ingenious idea was created by Kimberly Fink, who survived a rare, aggressive form of uterine cancer at 32 years of age. TREATMiNT BOX was inspired when Fink saw a gap in the market for quality items for cancer patients who were undergoing treatment.
Rockin' Wellness. If your loved one is a fan of smoothies and healthy treats, it's time to introduce him or her to Rockin' Wellness. I became a fan of this superfoods/nutrition shake when I noticed certain Lupus symptoms begin to lessen (such as fatigue and pain). Formulated with hemp seeds, chia, flaxseed, green tea, probiotics, cacao, goji, maca and more, this delicious shake mix is also non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan.
Wrapadoo. After reading some incredible testimonies from cancer patients and those suffering from Alopecia, I just had to include Wrapadoo. This specifically designed and patented fitted towel is perfect for anyone experiencing loss of hair or warmth from chemotherapy side effects, etc. Crafted with two layers of baby blanket softness and knit cotton, Wrapadoo can help make a woman feel feminine and luxurious even during the worst of times.
Meebie for Kids. Developed by a mom concerned about the impact of her husband's battle with cancer on their children, Meebie helps kids express their feelings. It's also an amazing gift for a child with a chronic illness, as it's the perfect tool for him or her to express how they are feeling each day. Meebie is super soft and comes with swappable parts, helping kids express experiences, creativity and more.
Joint Mints. A favorite in online forums for those with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and chronic pain issues is Joint Mints. These handy homeopathic lozenges, developed by a physician, are chock full of natural anti-inflammatories such as ginger, feverfew, Chinese skullcap, dandelion and others. Just one bottle leads to an average reduction in joint pain of 50 percent, the company says.
Click4Me2U. This handy app, which is just $1.99, was designed for someone to stay in touch with a loved one or caregiver with minimal fuss. For those of us who are ill, there are times when we do not have the energy, manual dexterity or inclination to phone, email or send a text to let others know we are OK. This app does it for you with just the click of a button in less than a second.
Alignmed's SQ SpinalQ Posture Brace. Did you know prescription clothing exists? Well, it does! If you know someone with MS, ALS, Parkinson's or anyone suffering from cascading conditions, severe posture issues or upper torso pain, this is the product to check out. Medicare-approved, the SQ Posture Brace is functional, adjustable and comfortable, with neuro-bands sewn in to stimulate muscles and nerves. Many testimonies state increased mobility, as well as improved quality of life and posture.
Isabelle Grace Jewelry. When I came across Isabelle Grace's double-sided Fighter/Survivor Hashtag necklace, I was sold. It's found in their breast cancer jewelry section, and the unique piece speaks volumes about anyone who is dealing with a life-changing illness. Let your loved one know how strong he or she is, and that he or she is recognized for being a fighter and a survivor. Personalized jewelry is available too, if there's a special message you want crafted into wearable art.
Philips GoSafe. How does giving peace of mind to your loved one 24/7, no matter where he or she is located, sound? With GoSafe, users are protected with six location technologies that can pinpoint their exact location (even in areas where GPS isn't available, such as parking garages or occasionally indoors). It also has state-of-the-art AutoAlert fall detection, which can sense a fall and call for help if the user cannot do so. Philips is the only mobile personal emergency response system to utilize a "hybrid" locating approach, so you know your special someone can connect with help as soon as they need it. To learn more about empowering seniors and those with chronic illness to "get out and go," check out this informative video.
Fishbellies. An ideal gift for anyone suffering with chronic pain or achy body parts. Fishbellies is an eye-catching microwave corn bag that can be used as a heating pad or freezer cool pack. This product is 100-percent cotton and filled with the largest surface area corn kernels to hold heat for hours. Did I mention they're also beautiful?
Lusomé. Designed by a breast cancer survivor with the chronically ill or cancer patient in mind, Lusoméis an incredible line of sleepwear that keeps night sweats away. Crafted with dryLon, a proprietary technology that pulls perspiration into the fabric surface where it evaporates, it helps prevent overheating and damp bedclothes from a variety of health issues. Women will appreciate the practicality of this gift, in addition to the luxuriousness and beauty of the line.
DripDrop. DripDrop is the first medical-grade rehydration powder, developed by a Mayo Clinic physician and available over-the-counter at CVS, Walgreens, Duane Reade and more. I know firsthand the importance of hydration when dealing with a chronic illness and how a simple product like this may have saved me from many hospital visits. DripDrop is a precise ratio of salts, potassium, sugars, etc,. with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. They come in handy packets you can mix into any water bottle. Take it from me, a simple gift like this to your loved one will be greatly appreciated. Hydration is a major player when dealing with chronic illness.
Ausanil. This is a terrific homeopathic spray for anyone suffering from migraines, which force them to isolate themselves in a dark room for hours or days at a time. The non-prescription nasal spray, made with chili pepper extract, is designed to provide fast relief of migraine pain, with many testimonies reporting relief in under three minutes. With extra holiday stress (and stress a trigger for many migraine sufferers), this could be a small gift with major impact.
Hemp-tastic massage. This luxurious oil blend produces a warm sensation when applied to skin, and finishes off with a cool, refreshing feeling. It's a perfect treat for anyone suffering from arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines or joint pains, and it helps reduce inflammation through arnica, calendula, bergamot and more. It also contains coconut and hemp seed oil to moisturize, and black pepper and menthol to heat and cool.
No comments:
Post a Comment