Benefits of Fidget Toys for Alzheimer's Patients

The Benefits of Fidget Toys for People with Alzheimer's

Fidget toys can be extremely beneficial for people with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Keeping hands occupied with sensory stimulation helps reduce anxiety and agitation that often accompanies cognitive decline. Fidget toys provide a positive outlet for the restless behaviors associated with dementia, such as picking, rubbing, tapping, or shredding. They can also help focus attention and serve as an activity that engages the mind during bouts of confusion or boredom.

How Fidget Toys Help with Alzheimer's Symptoms

There are several ways that fidget toys help manage Alzheimer's symptoms:

Reduce anxiety and agitation - The sensory stimulation and hand movements of fidget toys have a calming effect that helps reduce anxious behaviors like yelling, pacing, or grabbing.
Improve focus - Having an object to manipulate helps maintain focus and attention, rather than being distracted by the need for activity.
Increase engagement - Fidget toys provide mental stimulation and something simple and familiar for persons with dementia to interact with.
Manage restlessness - Twisting, turning, clicking or squeezing a fidget toy helps channel the need for activity in a positive way.
Promote hand strength - Exercising the hands and fingers helps maintain dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

Having a stash of various fidget toys around the house or in a loved one's pocket allows for easy access to sensory stimulation whenever agitation or boredom strikes.

Fidget Toy Features that Help with Dementia Symptoms

The best fidget toys for people with Alzheimer's have features that engage the senses and occupy restless hands. Some features to look for include:

Textures - nubs, bumps, smooth surfaces provide tactile stimulation
Buttons and switches - allows for clicking, flipping, sliding or rotating
Bright colors - visually stimulating for increased focus
Familiar shapes - objects resembling keys, gadgets or household items are easily recognizable
Sounds - gentle noises help maintain auditory attention
Adjustable resistance - twist dials, squeeze pads, press buttons provide varying sensory input

Prioritize safety, durability, and cleanliness when selecting fidget toys. Avoid anything too complex or childish. The cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's warrants safe, adult-appropriate options.

Recommended Fidget Toys for Alzheimer's Patients

There are many fidget toys on the market designed specifically for individuals with dementia. Having a variety on hand provides options to suit changing needs and moods throughout the day. Here are some top recommended fidget toys for people with Alzheimer's:

Fidget Spinners

These simple, handheld toys that spin on a bearing are mesmerizing for persons with dementia. Watching the repetitive motion is calming and the ability to control the spinning provides a sense of accomplishment. Fidget spinners help channel restlessness into a positive outlet. They are affordable, safe, and easy to use with one hand.

Textured Sensory Balls

Squeezing a soft, textured ball appeals to the sense of touch, providing soothing tactile stimulation. Sensory balls that have differing textures, bumps, colors and flexibility give varying input to engage the hands and mind. They are lightweight, portable, and easy to manipulate even for those with limited dexterity.

Fidget Cubes

These palm-sized cubes have buttons, switches, dials, and other movable parts on each side to occupy restless fingers. The variety of sensory inputs keeps hands and mind engaged. Fidget cubes are small enough to fit in a pocket but sturdy enough for daily use. They provide a world of distraction in a simple toy.

Activity Blankets

Weighted blankets with tactile sensory panels sewn in provide comfort and stimulation. There are zippers to zip, buttons to button, ribbons to tie, and textures to touch. Using an activity blanket keeps hands occupied and mimics the familiar motions of getting dressed. The weight has a calming, soothing effect for agitation as well.

Fidget Bracelets

Wearable fidget bracelets allow discreet, convenient access to sensory stimulation and an outlet for restless hands. Silicone or bead bracelets have textures, buttons and switches that can be manipulated repeatedly. They provide a socially acceptable option for fidgeting without drawing unwanted attention.

DIY Fidget Toys for Alzheimer's Patients

While there are many great products available, homemade fidget toys can be just as beneficial. Creating them yourself allows you to customize textures, colors, and features to suit specific sensory needs. Simple everyday objects can easily be transformed into engaging fidget toys with a little creativity.

DIY Fidget Toy Ideas

Here are some easy DIY fidget toy ideas for Alzheimer's patients using supplies you probably already have at home:

Glue buttons, beads, pompoms onto a rubber ball
Fill a snack-sized ziplock bag with beans, rice, or beads
Place nuts and bolts inside an empty pill bottle or Altoids tin
String beads, washers, nuts onto a shoelace or piece of yarn
Glue craft sticks together to make a mini-raft
Attach ribbons, zippers, snaps onto a piece of fabric

Get creative exploring your craft cabinet, junk drawer and pantry for items to incorporate. Always supervise use of homemade toys and monitor for safety.

Everyday Household Items as Fidgets

You don't have to make something specifically to serve as a fidget toy. Many ordinary household items can provide sensory stimulation for restless hands, such as:

Paper clips
Rubber bands
Clothespins
Thick cord
Key rings
Playing cards

Gather an assortment of household items like these to have on hand for when agitation strikes. Use a small tin or bag to keep them together. Offer your loved one a choice of textured options to rub, twist, squeeze, or manipulate.

Adapting Fidget Toys for Changing Alzheimer's Behaviors

As Alzheimer's disease progresses, abilities, attention span and interest level can change. Fidget toys should adapt as well to meet evolving sensory needs. Here are some tips for customizing fidget toys:

Modify Textures

Introduce toys with new tactile features as sensations become familiar. Glue sandpaper, bumpy beads, pom poms or corrugated rubber onto surfaces to change textures. Vary the softness and resistance levels with foam, cotton, vinyl or rubber materials.

Add Visual Stimulation

Brightly colored toys with high contrast patterns and flashing lights can help maintain visual focus when attention starts to wane. Adhere reflective tape, stickers, or jingle bells to create stimulating sights and sounds during fidgeting.

Increase Resistance

As dexterity declines, look for toys requiring greater strength and pressure to engage with. Rubberized grips and resistance bands require more effort to squeeze or twist. Heavy items like weighted stuffed animals can provide a calming deep pressure.