Gloves and Mitts for Dementia Fidgeting | Dementia Insider (2023)

FAQs

Why do dementia patients fiddle with their hands? ›

Many people with dementia become restless and may fidget or pace up and down. They may constantly wring their hands, pull at their clothes or touch themselves inappropriately in public. This could be because of pain or discomfort, needing the toilet, a need for more physical activity or problems with their environment.

They're knitted muffs with items attached to keep dementia patients' hands active and busy. They contain strands of textured ribbons, beads, and various fabrics attached both inside and outside. People with dementia often have restless hands and like to have something to keep their hands occupied.

Fidget blankets or quilts offer comfort for our residents living with dementia and are laptop-sized, providing sensory and tactile stimulation for an individual.

What causes restlessness in people living with dementia? They may be a symptom of the physical changes in the brain caused by dementia. A person may become agitated suddenly because of a change or specific cause, such as increased noise or not being able to do something they previously could.

Some scientists argue that the “mental break” fidgeting provides is actually your body's way of trying to stay focused on the task at hand. However, another study suggests that a fidgeting body simply reflects a wandering mind. Stress can also cause fidgeting. In some cases, fidgeting can relieve feelings of stress.

Listening to music, dancing, or contact with babies, children or animals provide positive feelings. People with dementia often have excellent memories of past events, and looking through old photos, memorabilia and books can help the person to recall earlier times.

Twiddlemuffs provide a source of visual, tactile and sensory stimulation at the same time as keeping hands snug and warm. Twiddlemuffs have also been shown to have benefits for patients with learning disabilities and patients receiving chemotherapy.

We would also be very grateful to receive donations of wool, fabric, buttons, zips beads etc for the muffs. Any donations and completed Twiddlemuffs can be sent to Ward C7, UHW, or you can contact Sue Day on 029 2074 2181 to arrange collection.

Where can I donate Twiddle muffs? ›

If you're thinking about making and donating your own twiddle muffs or blankets, Suzanne suggests contacting local care homes in your community first and seeing if they are in need of any knitted goods.

One of the ways that individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia show anxiety or agitation is in their hands. They will begin to fidget, restlessly pulling at clothes or blankets, wringing their hands, or rubbing their hands together. Fidget blankets are one way to help restore calm.

Fidget Activity Mats are lap quilts, the size of oversized placemats, with different textures to feel, and things to open and close to keep hands busy. These easy-to-sew activity mats help soothe the agitated fidgeting of people with de- mentia or autism.

Hoarding for a person with dementia may be more likely to happen in the early and middle stages of dementia and often stems from trying to have some control in their lives. People with dementia may be driven to search or rummage for something that they believe is missing.

A fidget blanket is a lap-size quilt that provides sensory and tactile stimulation for the restless hands of someone with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, such as ADD, or an autism spectrum disability. They are perfect for little kids, olders or anyone who gets a settled feeling by keeping their hands busy.

If the person with dementia is suddenly restless, unusually unable to sit still, it may be that he or she is trying to get away from some new discomfort. Walking may be a sign that the person isn't burning off enough energy during the day – he or she needs exercise and stimulation.

For men and women with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, it can be especially beneficial. Watching movies and TV shows can help keep their brain active, which can stimulate positive memories, improve mood, and even increase socialization.

Painting wooden boards and fitting together PVC pipes are good activities for seniors with high motor function. Wooden or plastic play tools provide a similar experience for people with more advanced dementia. Tie loose knots along a thick rope.

How do you break a fidgeting habit? ›

There are some ways to help manage your fidgeting habit; they are to determine the causes of your fidgeting, reduce your caffeine and sugar intake, increase how much you exercise, and practice relaxation techniques.

Most people experience fidgeting from time to time. Common signs include tapping your foot, drumming your fingers, or shifting in your seat. Fidgeting may be a physical reaction to stress or concentration. It could also be caused by an underlying health condition like ADHD or restless legs syndrome.

The average life expectancy figures for the most common types of dementia are as follows: Alzheimer's disease – around eight to 10 years. Life expectancy is less if the person is diagnosed in their 80s or 90s. A few people with Alzheimer's live for longer, sometimes for 15 or even 20 years.

Have a family sing-song, enjoy a show together, or ask them to play for you to listen. Even when they are no longer able to perform they may still get great joy from listening to music or watching others. People with dementia repeat themselves. Telling and retelling the same story is part of the condition.

So when we hear about using therapeutic fibbing to lie to someone with dementia, it might seem cruel and wrong at first. But always sticking to the truth, especially about an emotional subject or something trivial, is more likely to cause your older adult pain, confusion, and distress.

other long-term health problems – dementia tends to progress more quickly if the person is living with other conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, particularly if these are not well-managed.

Reassure the person verbally, and possibly with arm touches or hand-holding if this feels appropriate. Let the person know that they are safe. It may help to provide reassurance that the person is still cared about. They may be living somewhere different from where they lived before, and need to know they're cared for.

“There is an enormous amount of research showing that knitting has physical and mental health benefits, that it slows the onset of dementia, combats depression and distracts from chronic pain. It is an activity that can be continued into extreme old age,” the report stated.

What are the three behavioral problems associated with dementia? ›

Behavioral disturbances in dementia are often globally described as “agitation” including verbal and physical aggression, wandering, and hoarding. These symptoms create patient and caregiver distress, and lead to nursing home placement.

According to experts, sensory therapy, including the use of “fidget toys,” can safely soothe these seniors by keeping their hands busy in a productive and positive way.

How to Make a Fidget Blanket (Alzheimer's, ADHD Project)

What Size Should a Fidget Quilt Be? A fidget blanket only needs to be a small “mini” quilt. There is no right or wrong size, but it would be most helpful if it could fit on someone's lap. You can also add two straps to either side of the blanket to make an apron that the recipient can tie around their waist and carry.

They feature zippers, ties, ribbon, strings, buttons, snaps, closures, different textures – like minky, stretchy, pom poms, buttons, pockets, braids…you name it! Anything that can keep the fingers busy and can be washed will work.

increasing confusion or poor judgment. greater memory loss, including a loss of events in the more distant past. needing assistance with tasks, such as getting dressed, bathing, and grooming. significant personality and behavior changes, often caused by agitation and unfounded suspicion.

Signs of the final stages of dementia include some of the following: Being unable to move around on one's own. Being unable to speak or make oneself understood. Eating problems such as difficulty swallowing.

This desire to have familiar things around them can sometimes be combined with hoarding extra items, whether it's food, papers or clothes. Rummaging may also be triggered by boredom. People with dementia at times may experience loneliness and boredom, and sorting through the things around them can occupy their time.

Why do older people fidget so much? ›

Agitation and restlessness is poorly understood in older adults, but is generally considered to have multifactorial etiology, including genetics, physical disease, changes in the brain, unmet needs, and unaddressed pain.

If the person with dementia is suddenly restless, unusually unable to sit still, it may be that he or she is trying to get away from some new discomfort. Walking may be a sign that the person isn't burning off enough energy during the day – he or she needs exercise and stimulation.

Reassure the person verbally, and possibly with arm touches or hand-holding if this feels appropriate. Let the person know that they are safe. It may help to provide reassurance that the person is still cared about. They may be living somewhere different from where they lived before, and need to know they're cared for.

Listening to music, dancing, or contact with babies, children or animals provide positive feelings. People with dementia often have excellent memories of past events, and looking through old photos, memorabilia and books can help the person to recall earlier times.

Mild fidgeting appears to be caused by inattention. Serious fidgeting can be caused by conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and restless leg syndrome (RLS).

A person with Alzheimer's may do or say something over and over — like repeating a word, question or activity — or undo something that has just been finished.

How do you stop a dementia patient from wandering? ›

This may continue into the night, making it hard for them to get enough sleep. This is sometimes known as 'sundowning' but is not necessarily linked to the sun setting or limited to the end of the day. Sundowning can happen at any stage of dementia but is more common during the middle stage and later stages.

other long-term health problems – dementia tends to progress more quickly if the person is living with other conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, particularly if these are not well-managed.

Don't yell or raise your voice when speaking. This will show signs of frustration that may cause embarrassment, and then your loved one may “shut down” altogether. Dementia and anger often go together—for both the patient and the caregiver—so it's best for both of you to remain calm.