7 Best Ways to Calm Dementia Fidgeting Hands

Taking care of an elderly loved one requires lots of patience and understanding. However, it becomes more difficult if your elderly loved one is struggling with dementia. Dementia is a chronic, degenerative disease that affects a person’s behavior and ability to remember, think clearly, and perform daily activities. In the most common form of dementia — Alzheimer’s disease — these symptoms gradually worsen over time and lead to serious problems with everyday functioning.

Dementia Can Cause Fidgeting Hands

Older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia may exhibit agitation or anxiety through fidgety hands.

Common signs include rubbing or pulling at clothes or bedding, twisting fingers, rubbing hands together, wringing hands, and typically keeping hands in motion.

Sensory therapy or fidget toys are great ways to provide stimulation and tactile input to promote a sense of calm and ease, and restlessness in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

These are easy and simple touch-based activities with no right or wrong that help older adult keeps their restless hands occupied in soothing ways.

No matter what activity or toy you choose, keep in mind that the goal is to help your older adult engage in something fun and keep their hands occupied. There is no right or wrong way to do it, and no particular goal to achieve – whatever feels good to your loved one is perfect. 

We present suggestions for helping someone with dementia engage in activities that keep their hands occupied and promote feelings of calm and comfort.

7 Best Ways to Calm Dementia Fidgeting Hands

There are plenty of ways to help keep restless hands busy and calm. Here are seven suggestions that can help soothe fidgety fingers.

1. Fidget Blankets

Fidget blankets are soft, fuzzy blankets with something interesting inside. The blanket is made from a soft material that feels similar to a cashmere or wool blend and is filled with wood beads, plastic pellets, or other small toys. Fidget blankets endlessly entertain the hands by giving them something to rub, pinch or squeeze. There are lots of available fidget blankets online that you can purchase for your loved one. Here are some examples.

• Fidget Blanket for Dementia
• SOFWO Fidget Blanket for Adults with Dementia
• A variety of busy blankets can be found on Etsy.

Now, if you think the prices are a little steep, you might want to consider making your own. Needless Pointers provides tips on making a fidget blanket for your loved one. The process is quite simple, even if you’re not a crafter. 

2. Sensory Toys

Sensory toys are another great option for keeping your loved one’s dementia fidgeting hands busy. They can be used to stimulate the senses, from sight and touch to hearing and smell. These types of toys also provide an outlet for your loved one’s anxiety, frustration, or anger. Here are some examples: 

• 3 Bees & Me Jumbo Lacing Beads 
• Spiky massage ball
• Tangle Jr. fidget toys

3. Ask for Help With Household Chores

These activities do not necessarily reflect real chores, but they mimic the chores they used to do. It is a great way to provide relief and a sense of purpose for your elderly loved one. These activities can also give your loved one the opportunity to feel proud of what they accomplished.

• Organize paperwork – gather some papers and folders, put them on the table, and ask your loved one to help you organize them into piles.
• Fold laundry – Ask your loved one to help you fold some clothes. This can be fun, especially if they are folding their own clothes.
• Smooth crumpled tissue paper – You can ask your loved one to help you smooth out the wrinkles in some tissue paper.
• Dusting – Ask your loved one to help you dust the top of a cabinet or shelf. Or ask them to dust a book cover.
• Organize the junk drawer – If the junk drawer is full, ask your loved one to help you organize the stuff in there.

4. Hand-friendly Crafts

Crafts are a great way to engage people of all ages and a great way for your loved one to express themselves with tools they used in their lives before dementia set in. These crafts can be used to relax and provide opportunities to release stress, and encourage feelings of accomplishment. 

• Crochet – This is a great craft for older people with dementia. The repetitive motion of holding the needle and yarn can be calming, especially if your loved one had experience with this in their lives before dementia set in. Crochet is an excellent way to pass the time while sitting in front of the television or relaxing at home. Your loved one can make a scarf, a dishcloth, or anything else they like.
• Knitting – is similar to crochet but uses two needles instead of one. This activity requires more concentration than crocheting and can be used as a form of occupational therapy for those who have difficulty focusing on tasks at hand or have trouble with fine motor skills. 
• Woodworking – Many people with dementia enjoy working with their hands, and woodworking is a great way to do so. If your loved one is still able to use tools safely, this can be a fun activity for both of you (especially if they like to make toys for grandchildren or other family members).

5. Play With Clay, Playdough, Or Modeling Dough

A quiet and relaxing activity, this one is great for anyone who misses the feeling of being able to mold things. You can even create characters and figures and enjoy messing around with the play dough.

6. DIY Fidget Box

Sometimes, people with dementia find it hard to sit still. A DIY Fidget Box can help them focus on a simple activity that keeps their hands busy. It’s also portable, so you can take it wherever you go! To make one, all you need is a box filled with small items like

• buttons, beads
• paper clips
• Things with zippers or velcro closures
• Stress balls for squeezing
• Mini stuffed animals
• Old keys on a keyring 
• and other things your loved one enjoys playing with.

Your loved one will enjoy exploring their new toy, and you can add something like a mini notebook where they can write down their thoughts about their day.

7. Keeping A Familiar Item With Them

Keeping a familiar item with them can help them not to feel alone in their environment. The familiar item can be something small like a purse or wallet. 

Fill an old purse or wallet with some items, such as rubber bands, buttons, coins, keys, play money, few dollars so your senior loved one can rummage through whenever they like.

Conclusion

It is known that Dementia can cause fidgeting hands, and this can be a sign of anxiety in a person with Dementia. This is why it is important to help your loved one find a way to distract their dementia fidgeting hands. One way you can do this is by giving them something to fidget with; you will help them stay calm and keep their mind busy. The objects and activities mentioned above are all great ways to help your loved one.

Here at Serenity Senior Care, we understand how crucial it is to take care of your elderly loved one with dementia. We know it can be hard to find the balance between caring for your well-being and keeping up with your needs. That is why we’re here to help! Our staff of caregivers will work around your schedule so that you can keep living your life while still providing quality care for your loved one. Our caregivers have experienced dealing with seniors who fidget, and they know how to handle it. We are here for you and your loved one. Please contact us today if you would like to learn more about our services.