I would suggest they get a older, more settled cat since a kitten will play a lot and may be a little to rough for older people. They WILL get scratched since kittens just want to play and they do use their claws a lot in playing.

At the shelter I help out yet, we get older cats that have already been fixed and even some are declawed. This beauty here has been spayed, declawed and up to date on all her shots. She is only one, we have more just like her. There is another Hillary that is equal to this one (Cairo), so all the work has been done before they get the baby! Check at your local shelter and see if they have any adult cats like these.