21 Best Gift Ideas for the Chronically Ill
Living with a chronic illness sucks. I’d love to sugarcoat the message, but there’s no way to make it less painful.
Much of your life revolves around trying to find ways to make yourself more comfortable or life easier. Here are 21 gift ideas for someone with a chronic illness.
1. Sunbeam Heating Pad
Pain and fevers are part of most chronic illnesses. A heating pad is a great way to help when your dealing with sore muscles or coming in from the cold of winter.
2. Chanasya Faux Fur Throw Blanket
There’s something comforting about being wrapped in your favorite blanket. This throw is my favorite and the one I use all year. Not only is it super soft, but it’s machine washable and comes out just as soft every time. The perfect size to cover just your legs without adding a lot of bulk or weight around you.
3. Spoonie Pullover Hoodie
Most spoonies have to maintain a sense of humor to continue coping with their illness. This sweatshirt offers some comfort and humor at the same time.
Note: This is not a good gift for everyone. On the bad days, I struggle with wearing pullover shirts and sweaters. If that’s not an issue, this is an excellent gift choice.
4. Shintop Pill Box Keychain
This key-chain pill case has rescued me many times. It features three separate sections, and each is big enough for your largest pills. For instance, I usually carry naproxen liquid gels in one section of mine.
The best thing is that you don’t have to use all three sections all the time. You can use one, two or three sections depending on your needs. It’s also waterproof so your medication is always safe.
Start Today!
5. Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan
While many of us with chronic illnesses are usually cold, others are often too warm or sweating. If the latter applies, this fan from Honeywell is an excellent option. Not only does it put out enough air movement to cool a whole room, but it’s also quiet. Truth be told, sometimes quiet is more valuable than comfort.
6. BamBoo Book Stand
Spoonies are stuck at home much of the time. This means we have lots of time to read or play games on our tablets. However, holding a book or tablet, especially if you have arthritis in your hands, can be difficult.
This book stand has been invaluable to me. I put a soft pillow on my lap to elevate it, yet it’s light enough to not cause pain with my neuropathy. The holders are strong enough to hold your book or tablet firmly in place.
7. Vekkia LuminoLite Rechargeable Book Light
The perfect companion for the book stand above, this book light is rechargeable, so you won’t have to wrestle with wires or lamps to add a little light to your reading. The light is only 2.1 oz. and runs for 20 hours on a full charge.
8. Bed Wedge Pillow – Adjustable 9&12 Inch Folding Memory Foam Incline Cushion System for Legs and Back Support Pillow
One of my many health struggles includes acid reflux. There’s nothing worse than waking up during the night choking. I won’t go into more detail.
This wedge gives you a better alternative than spending every night in the recliner. You can arrange it to form three angles to help prevent reflux and has a washable cover. This pillow has made a vast improvement in my sleep quality.
9. How to Be Sick
In 2001, Toni Bernhard got sick and stayed that way. In the following confusion, frustration, and despair of facing a life with sudden limitations, Toni had to learn how to be sick.
This book reminds us that our own inner freedom is limitless, regardless of our external circumstances. A must-read for anyone with a chronic illness.
10. Naipo Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager
This massager is probably one of my most favorite things ever. As a bookkeeper, I spend a lot of time hunched over a keyboard or working on ledger sheets. That leads to a lot of tension and knots in my neck and shoulders. Increased tension can cause migraines and other headaches.
The Naipo massager offers both heat and massage functions, making it one of the best gift ideas for someone with a chronic illness. The deep tissue Shiatsu will ease even your toughest knots. It is also good for use on your lower back, legs, and feet.
11. URPOWER 400ml Essential Oil Diffuser
Essential oils can do a lot to help ease chronic illness symptoms. The URPower diffuser is not only beautiful to look at but provides 6 hours of diffusing. Essential oil diffuser with top 6 essential oils (lavender, peppermint, sweet orange, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemongrass).
12. ComfiLife Orthopedic Knee Pillow
Sleeping on your side can be a near impossibility if you have knee or sciatic pain. This knee pillow provides the comfort you’re looking for. Made of memory foam, it conforms to the shape you need while keeping your knees apart to relieve pressure pain.
13. Silent Mind Tibetan Singing Bowl Set
Practicing mindfulness can help you cope with chronic illness symptoms. Using a Tibetan singing bowl will help to promote peace and chakra healing. This bowl looks beautiful displayed on a shelf when not in use.
14. AUVON iMedassist Weekly AM/PM Pill Box
Medication is an unfortunate reality of having an illness. Most spoonies have several medicines that they need to manage each day.
Store a Week’s Worth of Meds. You can simply organize your weekly medication dispenser at the beginning of the week and place the organizer on the counter to easily keep track and maintain your am/pm medication regimen, which is great if you’re traveling or on-the-go since you can detach exactly the days you need.(size of each compartment: 0.9” x 1.1” x 0.9”)
15. Spoon Necklace – Save Your Spoons
Another fun gift option, this necklace provides a lighter-hearted take on chronic illness. Attractive and appealing, everyone will love this thoughtful present.
16. Cloud Massage Shiatsu Foot Massager Machine
- PAIN RELIEF AND SELF-CARE: This foot, ankle and leg massager uses a deep kneading Shiatsu technique to improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, stimulate muscle recovery, provide pain relief, or offer pure and thorough relaxation after a long day
- COMPLETE MASSAGE OF FEET, ANKLES, AND CALVES: Other massagers on the market only provide a basic foot massage, but with an adjustable base our massage machine can be positioned with amazing comfort to work the muscles of your feet, ankles, or calves!
- LEVELS OF INTENSITY: From gentle to strong, the foot and leg massager offers 3 distinct levels of intensity to suit the tenderness of muscles. Users are encouraged to start at the lowest setting and then adjust accordingly to avoid discomfort.
- 5 MODES FOR COMFORT: Whether you want relief from Diabetic Neuropathy or to soothe common aches, the calf massager can help by providing a rolling massage, compression therapy, a sway function, heat therapy, or the quiet mode for calming relaxation.
17. Chesapeake Bay Candle Scented Candle, Peace + Tranquility, Serenity + Calm, Joy + Laughter
Few things are as calming or comforting as a scented candle. One of the most popular options on Amazon.
Note: Some chronic illnesses cause extreme sensitivity to fragrances. This is a good gift idea only if you’re sure your friend doesn’t have this sensitivity.
18. Amazon Basics Ultra-Soft Micromink Sherpa Blanket – Full or Queen
Soft, warm, and lightweight, this sherpa throw will delight everyone. Highly durable and machine washable, it will be the blanket everyone is reaching for. With its affordable price, you may want to buy more than one.
19. Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things
I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t include at least one item related to mental illness. Furiously Happy is by New York Times bestselling author Jenny Lawson. In the book, she takes a hilarious look at her lifelong battle with mental illness. Can a book about crippling depression and anxiety be funny? Absolutely.
20. Jersey Slumber 100% Silk Sleep Mask
Light sensitivity can keep the person with chronic illness from sleeping. This sleep mask is 100 percent silk and comfortable to wear. In addition, it blocks out the light that can be bothersome.
21. NY Threads Mens Hooded Robe
The most comfortable robe I’ve ever had, it has the added benefit of having a hood. Made of soft and fluffy plush, you’ll want to wear this robe all day. In my opinion, this is one of the best gift ideas for someone with a chronic illness.
These are AWESOME! Lord knows I’d love a neck messager whether I was dealing with anxiety or not. Hmmm, wonder if my sister-in-law would appreciate the book…maybe….thanks for sharing these ideas!
I wrote this post because people frequently ask me what they can do for someone with a chronic illness. To me, often the smallest things mean the most. If someone gives me a candle or a sudoku book (which should be on the list) I’m over the moon. Thanks for the comment. And you’re right, neck massagers are awesome. Everyone should have one.