Dementia is a complex condition affecting a person’s cognitive ability and can impact everything from their memory, problem-solving skills and language skills in day-to-day life. This can be extremely difficult for the person with dementia to come to terms with, especially as the condition progresses and they become more reliant on others for help with simple tasks.
Many dementia patients will also experience increased anxiety or agitation because of the condition, and one of the ways this can manifest is by increased fidgeting, especially with the hands.
Finding ways for dementia patients to occupy their hands helps keep them engaged and focused. We have fidget toys, books and board games across our care homes in Plymouth, and we've found that it's a therapeutic way for our patients to help reduce feelings of anxiousness and agitation.
Below, we share some of the best things dementia patients can do with their hands, which are not only fun but also engaging.
Activities that involve using the hands offer numerous benefits to dementia patients, including:
· Providing a sense of purpose
· Reducing anxiousness/agitation
· Increasing their independence
· Improving hand-eye coordination
· Boosting self-expression
· Improving communication
· Providing a creative outlet
· Giving them a chance to reminisce
Fidget toys are small, tactile toys designed to help individuals focus and regulate their emotions. There are various fidget toys available, from spinners and poppers to stress balls. They are usually small enough to be carried around in a person’s pockets, which means people with dementia can access them whenever needed.
It is a good idea to try out several different types of fidget toys with your loved one and see which provides the most relief when they are stressed or anxious.
One of our favourite things for dementia patients to do with their hands is a jigsaw puzzle.
Not only do jigsaw puzzles help improve hand-eye concentration, but they are also a great way to encourage social interaction and enhance communication. Friends, family or other care home residents can all get involved, which helps to foster relationships as the jigsaw takes shape.
Although complex patterns may be beyond many dementia patients’ abilities, simple projects like a chunky scarf with larger knitting needles and brightly coloured yarn can be therapeutic. The soothing, repetitive motion can provide occupation and boost hand-eye coordination while also offering a chance to reminisce about an activity they remember doing when younger. Plus, the finished garment can give a sense of accomplishment even if it isn’t perfect.
Many dementia patients may not be able to manage day-to-day chores any longer, but giving them tasks that mimic household chores can help provide occupation for their hands while helping maintain a sense of purpose and independence.
Some of the best household things for dementia patients to do with their hands include:
· Folding laundry – Choose easily manageable items like tea towels or hand towels that can be folded easily.
· Smooth paperwork – Gather some unimportant crumpled paperwork and ask them to uncrumple the paper. To add to the activity, you can try using different coloured paper and asking them to organise it into piles.
· Preparing meals – Ask for help with simple meal preparation tasks like buttering bread for sandwiches or setting the table.
Painting or drawing has long been used as therapy, so it should come as no surprise that art is also extremely beneficial to those living with dementia. From helping to alleviate anxiety and agitation by allowing people to get creative and express themselves to focusing their hands and mind on the project.
Artwork can also be a great way to evoke forgotten memories in dementia patients and painting has been found to be valuable in helping people living with dementia communicate in a non-verbal way.
Scrapbooking is one of the best things for dementia patients to do with their hands as it not only gives them a chance to engage their hands but can also be a great way to reminisce.
The motor skills required for cutting, glueing and arranging pictures offer occupation for fidgety hands and anxious minds, while choosing old pictures to cut up can help bring back memories and reconnect patients with friends, family and loved ones.
At Wisteria House Care Home, we provide compassionate and considerate dementia care across three small independent care homes. Designed to offer a comfortable home-from-home environment, each site offers a safe, familiar and comfortable setting that can be enjoyed by residents and family members alike. This ensures those living with dementia can continue to live life on their own terms while receiving the expert support and care they need.
In times of need, caring for a loved one is a natural decision for many. That said, it’s not always easy. Caring for someone, no matter how much you love them, can be emotionally and physically demanding and, sometimes, it’s really important to turn that love inward and take breaks.
Supporting a loved one with dementia is never straightforward. Whether your relative has been newly diagnosed or you’re already a caregiver, there are certain steps you can take.
With Father’s Day fast approaching, many people are searching for thoughtful gifts for their loved ones. But for some, choosing the right gift can be especially difficult, particularly when buying for a family member with dementia.
Encourage positive conversations and deeper connections with dementia patients by asking the right questions. Whether over the phone, on a virtual call or in-person, the best questions phrased in the right way can invoke happy memories and shared moments. Many people with dementia can recall vivid memories from their past and love to share them. Here are some tips and questions to ask dementia patients to encourage communication.
If you’re looking for some new and interesting ways to help stimulate and entertain someone who is suffering from dementia, we can help.
Dementia is a complex condition affecting a person’s cognitive ability and can impact everything from their memory, problem-solving skills and language skills in day-to-day life. This can be extremely difficult for the person with dementia to come to terms with, especially as the condition progresses and they become more reliant on others for help with simple tasks.
Many dementia patients will also experience increased anxiety or agitation because of the condition, and one of the ways this can manifest is by increased fidgeting, especially with the hands.
It’s well-known that music is a universal language – one that speaks to us all on a primal level. It creates the soundtrack to many of our days, including some of our most cherished moments, and also has the ability to both lift our spirits and soothe us too. And, while music is an important part of many people’s lives, the benefits of music therapy for dementia patients is especially poignant. Tapping into memories and emotions on a different level, it can be a powerful tool for those living with dementia and its symptoms.
With temperatures dropping and bad weather arriving, it’s important that people with dementia get the extra care they need to be comfortable and feel safe.
Winter often brings more challenges for people with dementia and their caregivers, facing heightened feelings of social isolation and stress. Alongside the extra physical hazards from ice and snow, sometimes symptoms can get temporarily worse. People with dementia may not be able to communicate that they are cold or explain how they are feeling
As the season casts its silvery cloak and the nights draw in, there’s no better time to hunker down and cosy up than winter. One of the best activities for relaxed mornings and slow afternoons during this time of year, winter crafts offer a great way to occupy hands and minds during this season of resetting and rebalancing.