Fiddle activities for the dementia journey
As anyone who cares for a loved one with dementia knows, many show their anxiety levels through almost constant movement of their hands.
This can be repeatedly rubbing hands together, plucking at clothing, or handling a familiar object over and over, such as a purse.
Sensory activities can help keep busy hands occupied, or you can provide fidget objects.
Take care to choose safe activities
It’s important to find activities that are safe. You know your older adult best and can choose what works best for them.
For example, some older adults tend to put things in their mouth. If that’s the case, avoid anything that could become a choking hazard.
Other seniors may like to tie strings around fingers (or necks!) and restrict circulation.
If your older adult has any unsafe tendencies, be sure to avoid anything that could be dangerous for them.
Help with household chores
These aren’t necessarily real chores, but activities that mimic the chores they used to do. These types of activities also give a sense of accomplishment and feeling that they’re contributing to the household.
Fold laundry – get some inexpensive (or old) hand towels and ask for help folding them
Smooth crumpled tissue paper – get some colourful tissue paper and crumple each piece. Show them the crumpled pieces and ask for help smoothing them out.
Organize paperwork – gather a stack of unimportant papers and ask for help organizing them
Finding familiar jobs
Play with paperclips – string large paperclips together into a chain or sort paperclips of different sizes into separate groups
Organize the junk drawer – put the entire drawer on the table and ask your older adult to help you organize the contents
Shuffle and arrange a deck of cards – let them do whatever they wish with the cards, use nice looking cards for added visual stimulation, like dogs or beautiful colours.
DIY fidget box
It’s easy to make your own fidget box or basket. Pull out the box when your older adult needs something to do and throw everything back into the box when they’re done.
Try to match it up with a job or hobby they once had
Get a container and fill it with some inexpensive odds and ends you can find in your house, make quickly, or buy at the charity shop.
Gather things in a variety of colors and textures, like:
Things with zippers or velcro closures
Little toys that wind up
Stress balls for squeezing
Brightly colored plastic springs (like a Slinky)
Mini stuffed animals
A row of buttons sewn firmly onto a ribbon
A piece of soft fleece or faux fur
Old keys on a keyring
Old jewellery boxes or button boxes are wonderful things
“Sensory therapy is an effective method for reducing anxiety, calming nerves, and providing comfort.
Seniors use simple touch-based activities to occupy their hands and minds in safe, soothing ways.”
Busy Hands magazine
Pupplesnuffs has arranged a shop category of items we feel could benefit those dealing with dementia, who may need the soothing, calming activities described here.