It’s not too early to start Christmas shopping, especially if you’re shopping for older adults — an often challenging task. Carolyn Philpot of Saint Louis University Division of Geriatric Medicine has a few suggestions for choosing the right gift.

Philpot emphasizes the need to individualize the gift to match the older adult’s activity level, socioeconomic status, and interests. The gift of time, she says, is the –favorite of most older people. "Take them to the movies, dinner, a show. Grandkids can give coupons good for raking leaves or cutting grass or taking them to the barber or beauty salon."

Here a few more ideas.

• For Active Seniors:

• For Sedentary Seniors:

• For Seniors with Physical Limitations:

• For all Seniors: