By Pat Woods

Special to Independent Newsmedia

Spring flowers are blooming, and ads for Mother’s Day May 12 are on TV and in newspapers. Expect a repeat for Father’s Day, June 16. Stumped by what to get parents or grandparents for their special days? Here are some nifty gift items that can be purchased in stores or online. Watch for sales and feel free to compare prices and read online reviews.

Fitbit activity devices

Because we live in a 55-plus community surrounded by boomers and seniors, we notice how many use Fitbits to not only count their steps, but also track their heart rates, record sleep patterns, observe calorie burns, and set personal exercise goals. After seeing how a friend used a Fitbit to improve her health, I gave husband Rob a Fitbit Charge 3 for his birthday.Learning new technology challenges us, but thanks to YouTube videos and downloading the Fitbit app on our iPhone, setup was not difficult.

Fitbit Inspire 1 and 2 have smaller display screens and come in different colors. When we hit a snag, Fitbit customer service techs quickly answered our questions. Rob beams like a kid on Christmas morning when his Charge 3 tells him how far he swam or walked, his ongoing heart rate, and whether he was in light, deep or REM sleep. It even gently reminds him to get up and move after too much computer time! He wears the Fitbit 24/7, and a battery charge lasts almost seven days.Rob will give me a Fitbit for Mother’s Day.

I chose the new Fitbit Inspire HR because the smaller display screen is better for my tiny wrist. The Inspire HR has a modern, minimalist design, can be worn in the pool, do 24/7 heart rate tracking, and operate five days on a battery charge. I look forward to exploring Inspire HR’s goal-based exercise modes, counting my steps and tracking my sleep time. I also need a reminder to push away from the computer and move!Available in numerous colors and wrist band styles, Fitbit devices make ideal Mother’s and Father’s Day gifts. Learn more at www.fitbit.com.

Salonpas pain relief products

We often hear about opioid addiction, NSAID side effects, drug interactions and overdoses. In contrast, topical analgesic patches, sprays, gels and creams can deliver highly efficient doses of medicine directly to the pain site with reduced risk. Most topical medication starts working on contact and is accessible over the counter without a doctor’s prescription.

Adults with arthritis, back, neck, shoulder or knee pain can find relief with Salonpas patches, creams, gels and sprays. My spouse and I both get fast relief with Salonpas Deep Relieving gel and Lidocaine Plus cream and roll-on. If you prefer patches, Salonpas has several options in different sizes with various active ingredients. Salonpas Lidocaine Pain Relieving Gel Patch provides numbing relief with the maximum strength of Lidocaine without a prescription.

Another option is the Pain Relief Patch Large, the strongest labeled pain reliever available without a prescription. It relieves pain up to 12 hours and works well for large pain areas of the lower back and shoulders. Buy Salonpas products at leading drug and discount stores. Salonpas products will not relieve headache pain and should not be used on broken skin. Follow package directions. Get more information at salonpas.us.

Winegard interior TV antennas

Savvy TV viewers have learned how to eliminate over-priced cable bills. They watch top-rated shows in HD for free by using thin indoor wall-mounted antennas. Antenna users also receive local news, weather, live sports and more in 4k Ultra HD and Dolby Digital Surround Sound within an amplified 50-mile range.

Ultra-low noise digital amplifier is embedded directly in the antennas, for signal boost that increases range and eliminates pixilation and dropout. Winegard’s HDTV Tower Finder app with augmented reality uses your address to find all available HDTV towers. This enables placing the antenna in the best location in your home. The antenna is reversible from black to white. It can be paired with a streaming device to get more shows.

The high quality, high flex 18.5-foot mini coaxial cable makes it easy to position the device for maximum performance. The Power inserter quickly connects directly to the TV’s USB power port, or the included 110-volt adapter for maximum flexibility in any home’s entertainment set-up. Those who purchase Winegard antennas receive a weekly newsletter listing what is new on Netflix, Hulu and more. Learn more about these indoor antennas at www.Winegard.com. Call 1-800-788-4417 to talk with a customer service tech.

Sleep Number travel pillow

Traveling boomers and seniors will want to take this comfy pillow everywhere — planes, trains, automobiles, as well as medical offices or anywhere they need to sit or hours. The pillow’s unusual 12 x 17 shape provides conforming support. It is constructed with a unique fill blend of memory foam pieces and premium down alternative fibers in an ergonomic shape to fit body contours for enhanced comfort. The convenient clasp attaches to luggage. It has a removable, machine-washable cover. Buy it at local Sleep Number stores or at www.sleepnumber.com.