26 Creatively DIY Crafts to Donate to Your Local Nursing Home

Nothing about being in a nursing home is easy. It is a difficult time both for the resident and his or her family and friends, who may not be able to do as much as they would like to provide support to their loved one.

But as a talented crafter, there is a lot that you can do to make a difference. You already love do-it-yourself projects, so why not use your skills at handcrafts to light up an elderly person's day?

Jump to:

• 1. Create handmade stationery.
• 2. Create a DIY address book.
• 3. Make a unique journal using bookbinding techniques.
• 4. Build a cute organizer.
• 5. Make an Alzheimer’s sensory stim blanket.
• 6. Create a set of bookmarks.
• 7. Up-cycle old sweaters into warm, fuzzy socks.
• 8. Sew a warm poncho.
• 9. Make an infinity scarf.
• 10. Prevent slips and falls with grippy socks.
• 11. Donate handmade walker caddies.
• 12. Keep nursing home residents warm with a handmade lap quilt.
• 13. Making dressing gown out of an old duvet cover.
• 14. Give the gift of decorative hand soaps.
• 15. Make DIY moisturizing lotion.
• 16. Make lip balm from scratch.
• 17. Create fun and original mugs.
• 18. Sew a backrest pillow with cushy arms.
• 19. Stitch an on-the-go reading pillow.
• 20. Provide the comfort of companionship with a handcrafted plush toy.
• 21. Keep residents warm with wheelchair wraps.
• 22. Scarves with pockets make great gifts for nursing home residents.
• 23. Handmade bibs contain messes.
• 24. Crochet some flowers.
• 25. Try another pattern for a walker caddy.
• 26. Make some cute, customized eye glasses cases.

1. Create handmade stationery.

Seniors who are stuck in nursing homes do not have a whole lot of options when it comes to staying entertained. So anything you can do to provide them with what they need to fill some hours of the day is helpful.

Many elders enjoy writing detailed letters to family and friends who they do not get to see while they are in the home.

But letters are always more special when they come on unique stationery, so one great gift to donate to a local nursing home is a set of handmade stationary. Check the link for an easy project.

Tutorial and Instructions: abeautifulmess

2. Create a DIY address book.

The second idea which is related to the first is to handcrafts address books. Anyone who writes a lot of letters to family and friends is going to be a frequent user of an address book, so this is a fun and handy item to craft and donate to a nursing home or assisted-living community.

Tutorial and Instructions: ollieandco

3. Make a unique journal using bookbinding techniques.

While a nursing home resident may spend a lot of time writing to loved ones, he or she may also want to write personal memoirs. One wonderful craft that you could donate would be a set of handcrafted journals.

There are many different methods you can use for bookbinding at home. Click on the source link for a detailed tutorial on a versatile technique.

Tutorial and Instructions: tortagialla

4. Build a cute organizer.

Anyone who likes to keep a journal or write letters needs somewhere to keep all of their supplies. Another idea for a craft you can donate is a mini desk organizer. In the video below, you can find out how to make one with bright colors and fun designs, sure to brighten up any room.

Video:

5. Make an Alzheimer’s sensory stim blanket.

If you are looking for a handcraft idea for donating to a memory care unit, one great project is a sensory blanket.

Patients with Alzheimer's develop restless hands, and as a result need some sensory activity which they can use for stimming. At the source link, you can find a project for creating a sensory blanket which takes care of this need.

Tutorial and Instructions: sewmanywayskimi

6. Create a set of bookmarks.

One super easy project to consider is handcrafting bookmarks for nursing home residents. Many seniors love to read, and bookmarks are something you can make quickly in bulk. In fact, the project at the source link is incredibly easy, because it uses a clever supply—paint chips!

Tutorial and Instructions: jos2ndact

7. Up-cycle old sweaters into warm, fuzzy socks.

As mentioned earlier, it can be difficult for nursing home residents to stay warm and comfortable. For that reason, simple gifts like warm, fuzzy socks to make excellent donation items.

Here is a project for turning old sweaters into insulated socks which are as warm as they are soft and cozy.

Tutorial and Instructions: ecouterre

8. Sew a warm poncho.

Like warm socks, ponchos are also good items to donate. Because they have a loose fit, they can work for residents of all sizes, and they can provide plenty of warmth for cold days. Watch the video for an easy sewing pattern.

Video:

9. Make an infinity scarf.

Another warm and versatile garment that you can make is an infinity scarf. There are so many different ways you can wear infinity scarves.

At the source link, you can find instructions for simple infinity scarf project which you could donate to seniors in need at a nearby nursing home. Looking for more patterns? Find 26 of them right here.

Tutorial and Instructions: sewcanshe

10. Prevent slips and falls with grippy socks.

Elderly nursing home residents who have difficulty getting around safely can benefit from wearing socks which are not slippery.

You can make these yourself at home, which is more cost-effective and fun than purchasing them ready-made from a department store. Find out how at the link below.

Tutorial and Instructions: brownthumbmama

11. Donate handmade walker caddies.

A walker is of course supposed to help you get around when you can no longer do so on your own.

Unfortunately, using a walker requires you to use both hands. This makes it impossible to carry around glasses, notebooks, remote controls and other items if you do not have handy pockets.

This is where a walker caddy becomes very useful. Donate a few of these to a nursing home, and you could greatly improve quality of life for residents in need.

Tutorial and Instructions: mellysews

12. Keep nursing home residents warm with a handmade lap quilt.

If you enjoy quilting, here's a project which is perfect for nursing home recipients. Because nursing home residents are not very active, they can end up with cold hands and feet.

Create a lap quilt with flannel-lined pockets, and residents who use the quilts will always be able to keep their hands warm.

Tutorial and Instructions: http://www.homesewnbycarolyn.com/lovie-lap-quilts.html

13. Making dressing gown out of an old duvet cover.

Many nursing home residents may spend the majority of their time wearing pajamas or dressing gowns, because it is no longer easy to get dressed for the day. Did you know that it is easy to make dressing gowns to donate using nothing more than an old duvet cover?

The linked tutorial will show you how.

Tutorial and Instructions: karimascrafts

14. Give the gift of decorative hand soaps.

While nursing homes do provide residents with basic hygiene supplies, sometimes it is nice to enjoy something extra special.

These handmade decorative soaps look fancy, and would bring a smile to any face with their bright colors and pretty shapes.

You might think that they would be hard to create on your own, but making handmade decorative soaps to donate is actually cheap and easy, as you will see in the tutorial.

Tutorial and Instructions: darice

15. Make DIY moisturizing lotion.

The older you get, the harder it is to keep your skin moisturized, smooth and soft. So you can be sure that a donation of handmade moisturizing lotion will be greatly appreciated by residents of a nursing home.

Tutorial and Instructions: onegoodthingbyjillee

16. Make lip balm from scratch.

On that same note, lips can become dry as well, so another great idea is to make lip balm from scratch to donate to local elderly folk in need.

Tutorial and Instructions: kakabeautyblog

17. Create fun and original mugs.

It is always nice for those in nursing homes and assisted living to curl up with a good book and a nice warm mug of tea.

Did you know that you can create fun, unique customized tea mugs with nothing more than the aid of a sharpie? Find out all about it at the link.

Tutorial and Instructions: livingwellspendingless

18. Sew a backrest pillow with cushy arms.

Many elderly people struggle with back, shoulder and neck problems, and have a hard time getting comfortable as a result. At the link, you can discover a step-by-step tutorial to create a cozy backrest pillow with cushy arms.

Tutorial and Instructions: sewhappygeek

19. Stitch an on-the-go reading pillow.

For the nursing home or assisted living resident who loves to read or even write, and on-the-go reading pillow would make a wonderful surprise. A pillow like this makes it easier to carry things and stay comfortable.

Tutorial and Instructions: polkadotchair

20. Provide the comfort of companionship with a handcrafted plush toy.

It is true that most people feel like they need to give up their plush toys when they grow out of childhood, but the reality is that a lot of people secretly enjoy cuddling up to a soft toy. Surprise a few nursing home residents with some handcrafted plushies, and you can be sure your donation will be a source of delight.

Tutorial and Instructions: hobbycraft

21. Keep residents warm with wheelchair wraps.

In the same category as shawls and scarves, wheelchair wraps are designed to be comfortably worn while sitting in a wheelchair. This donation will provide warmth to those in need.

Tutorial and Instructions: ravelry

22. Scarves with pockets make great gifts for nursing home residents.

Residents in nursing homes and retirement communities often enjoy knitting or crocheting. So one perfect idea for a handcrafted donation is a set of scarves for residents which include pockets. These can be used to hold knitting or crocheting supplies—but they are also great for keeping hands warm!

Tutorial and Instructions: simplymodernmom

23. Handmade bibs contain messes.

Sometimes nursing home residents have a hard time feeding themselves—particularly those in memory care units. An adult bib is a great way to contain messes; this is a big help to residents and nurses alike.

Idea from: etsy.com

24. Crochet some flowers.

A room in a nursing home typically looks like a cross between a hospital room and a hotel room. Naturally, they could use a bit of sprucing up, so ornamental crafts make excellent donation items as well. Just think how beautiful a bouquet of these crochet flowers would be sitting on a windowsill.

Tutorial and Instructions: myhobbyiscrochet

25. Try another pattern for a walker caddy.

Previously, I shared a tutorial with you for sewing a walker caddy which makes it easy for an elder to carry his or her things while moving around the nursing home. Because there are so many beautiful patterns for creating these, I wanted to share at least one more with you. Check out the link.

Tutorial and Instructions: http://ithappensinablink.com/sew-a-diy-walker-bag/

26. Make some cute, customized eye glasses cases.

Oftentimes, nursing home residents need glasses for near or far vision. They also need somewhere to keep their glasses safe, which makes these stenciled eyeglasses cases a cheap and useful donation item.

Tutorial and Instructions: mintedstrawberry

Conclusion: DIY Handcrafted Donations Can Bring Warmth and Joy To Your Local Nursing Home.

Ideally, none of us would ever have to go to a nursing home to live out the final months or years of our lives. We would be able to spend that time at home surrounded by the people we love.

But that does not mean that there cannot be some beauty, fun, and joy during a difficult time. Your gifts of DIY handcrafted donations can brighten up your local nursing home, bringing delight to the hearts of the elderly residents who need it the most.