People with dementia can be irritable and agitated, people with dementia sometimes experience depressed moods and become more and more introverted as the depression progresses. But what can you do to reduce movement restlessness, irritability or sleep problems in demented elderly people? Sensory materials can help demented elderly people relax, but also stimulate and promote communication and social contact. Read our tips for aids for dementia here.
What to do in case of restlessness and irritability?
In case of restlessness and irritability in demented elderly people, a weighted hug can offer a solution. For example, Bent the Sloth of OLIZ has a relaxing effect. Bent is a heavy, soft sloth that can be used when you are overstimulated by impressions, but also when you are agitated and agitated.
Bent’s weight provides a comfortable deep pressure, similar to a hug that provides a pleasant, safe and protected feeling. Weighting helps elderly people with dementia to feel their body better and thus, for example, wander around less or reduce fears! The weighted cuddly toy is available in 2 different weights and is effective for elderly people with stimulus processing problems and sleeping problems, but also for elderly people with dementia to reduce restlessness and irritability.
Did you know that Senseez pillows can also help elderly people with dementia who have difficulty sitting still while eating or watching television? It is precisely that group of elderly people who sit everywhere and show a lot of movement restlessness can benefit from the Senseez Trendables vibrating cushions . Place the pillow in the back so that the pressure of the back against it activates the vibration and the older person comes to rest. The vibrating cushions from senseez therefore offer elderly people with dementia more sensory touch stimuli to activate or calm themselves.
What to do with Chewing and Fidgeting?
Fidgeting and fidgeting with clothes, fabrics or touching others unsolicited can sometimes be a big problem, especially because clothing and materials are broken and other residents are not happy with touch. There are also people with dementia who have the need to reduce restlessness by taking materials and substances in the mouth. Both ways (chewing and fidgeting) help them to reduce restlessness. For both problems I can recommend the hexichew from Chewigem , this is a unique chewing product! The hexichew is suitable for average chewing needs. The hexichew chewing products are suitable for children and adults, for example people with dementia, who also like to fidget. The chew-fidgeting product is a safe chewing product that can also reduce motor restlessness. In short, a unique chewing product that meets movement restlessness.
The Manimo Stress Ball is definitely recommended for the fidgeting demented elderly. It is a delicious sensory stress ball filled with plastic granulate granules. The shimmering fabric provides extra visual perception. The granules make something of a rustling sound, a bit like a rainmaker. It really reduces stress. Squeezing your fingers and fidgeting in the stress ball is really relaxing. Once in the hands, you don’t put this stress ball away so quickly and it can take away the anxiety in people with dementia who like to fiddle with clothes or other materials. In addition to this stress ball Full Moon, Manimo also has weighted hugs. The balls and the weighted hugs are very good to use together. They can also be used separately during a rest moment or as a seed bag during more active moments.
My experience with the chewigem hexichew
I have only recently started using the chewigem hexichew. I myself have autism and ADHD and a very high fidgeting and stimming content (if you want to know what stiming is, I would like to refer you to the blogs / articles on this webshop!)
The Hexichew, how challenging it looks to fidget and chew with. I couldn’t wait to test out the hexichew! And sure enough, I like the hexichew! I immediately tested 2! The green (glow in the dark, gives light in the dark) and the camouflage. Blissful to fidget , I often tie the hexichews together, in order to be able to fidget or stim even more. The hexichew is also very successful for me to chew! It does feel a bit ”thicker” in my mouth, but I can chew on it nice and firm, especially when I am almost over or understimulated and actively need something, or to regulate my tension or emotions. There are also small bumpy stripes on the ”longer pieces” of the hexichew, which stimulates me extra to ”feel” myself again when I am in danger of being understimulated to get out of that understimulation! Or just because I like the texture so much in my mouth. I use the hexichew daily, just like my chewigem chewing chains. I can’t live without it anymore! It gives me peace of mind so that I have everything under control and can chew nice and firm!
What to do in case of dementia and nocturnal restlessness?
What tools can help people with dementia sleep better? Weighting, deep pressure is a way to calm the body and brain. The weighted blanket Flora is therefore suitable for relaxing demented adults. We particularly recommend this weighting blanket for use at bedtime. The even pressure in the weighted blanket is a nice alternative to a heavy duvet. Some children and adults find it unpleasant to be completely covered with weighting and may react negatively to it. This weighting blanket Flora is a good alternative for them because it does not cover the entire body. You can also drape Flora right over your body.
The use of music or mood lighting can also have a calming and soothing effect. Think, for example, of a projector in the bedroom or a cuddly toy in bed that plays quiet music.
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