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Alzheimer’s Fidget Quilts for Sale Online

Aprons, Purses and more

Fidget quilts are a happy resource for the person with dementia and fidgeting fingers.

While caring for my Mom with dementia, I noticed that she could not stop fidgeting her hands. Sometimes she would wring her hands until I thought a finger might surely break.

Mom was a “depression” baby and as a young girl she watched her family struggle and strive to make a living while the depression and its financial crises of the ’30’s weighed down on them.

From this experience during her youth, Mom once again worried about money as the dementia began to kidnap her thoughts. Mom would spend hours wringing her hands like a wash rag, and worrying her fingers till they were red.

Finally, I retrieved an old purse and filled it with things she loved; a crinkled bank statement, small photo album, pen, seek-n-find book and a tube of red lipstick. She was a blonde and loved deep red lipstick. That purse swung from her arm whenever she left her room, even after she’d moved to a Group Home shortly before her passing.

When I first wrote an article about an Alzheimer’s Fidget Blanket/ Quilt, I thought of Mom and her “purse.” She would have loved a Fidget Blanket. I know many of you have been searching for one also as I’ve read your letters.

I recently found the Sweetest Fidget Blankets that I’ve seen. She creates Patchwork Quilts for sale online and much much more. Besides Fidget Quilts, this seller also crafts; Fidget Aprons, Fidget Bibs, Fidget Purses, aprons and more. And she accepts Custom Orders! Male or Female, even quilts on sale for the Autistic Child. You can find Nan on Etsy.

Nan’s Sewing Corners

Nancy is a grandmother who loves to spend time with her grandchildren and to sew. She makes “fidget quilts” and other fidget items for Alzheimer and Autistic patients by order. Custom Orders will be ready for shipment within 14 days.

Below are a few of the wonderful Fidget Items that she has listed at her Store. Thank you Nancy, for giving us more Fidget Quilts!

UPDATE on Nancy:

Nancy has made Fidget Quilts for many of our friends and families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Several months ago she had to take a break due to some medical issues. I just spoke to her today and I’m happy to say! She is home, sewing again, and eager for Customers. If you’re over her way! Please let Nancy know how happy we all are to have her back. And while you’re there check out her wonderful custom made Fidget Quilts.

Almost Time for Holidays and Gift-giving!

Nan’s Sewing Corners

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A Fidget Quilt

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For More Personalized Fidget items

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Nan’s Sewing Corners

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Other Fidget Toys Available on Amazon include

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Baby Dolls Crafted for dementia and the Elderly

07/125 Comments

Baby Dolls Crafted for dementia and the Elderly

Baby Dolls Crafted for dementia and the elderly are such a blessing. I can’t explain how happy I am to see this video.

Last January, I wrote an article about the elderly, especially those with dementia, my mom included, and their love for babies. Actually, my story goes back to my Grandmother on my mother’s side

I was a young girl of eight or nine when my grandmother passed away. We lived far away, so except for summer vacations, I seldom saw her.

The last three years of her life were spent in a nursing home and I knew little of those days until my teen years. Then, my mother shared with me how horrendous the end of my grandmother’s life had been.

In late stage dementia, my Grandmother paced the halls of a nursing home looking for a newborn baby she was certain she had birthed. She pined away for this little baby that surely needed nursing. She was so devastated that she mourned for this baby until her death.

As my own mother entered her final years with dementia, I was careful to watch for this same need. She loved babies and would turn to follow every baby stroller we met while out shopping.

I did make certain that Mom had plenty of soft life-like-baby dolls, and she would cuddle them as though they were newly born. I was so thankful that she had been spared the sorrow and crisis that my Grandmother had endured.

If you have a loved one with dementia who likes baby dolls, I hope this video will help you see and understand how satisfying it can be for someone with dementia.

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Paradise Galleries Lifelike Realistic Paradise Galleries Hoot! Hoot! Baby Doll
Baby Doll: Little Peanut Baby Doll – 17

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Newborn- Real Girl My First Baby – 12 Inch Baby Huggums Soft Body Newborn- Real Boy Huggums Soft Body 12″JC Toys 20 JC Toys 16 Newborn Baby Doll

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More Seniors Using Technology Stay Home Longer

07/084 Comments

Seniors using Technology Stay Home Longer, especially if they have early stage Alzheimer’s

Smartphone technology and other wearable gadgets are hugely popular right now, and users have been realizing that no matter your lifestyle, these devices can assist with the ease of daily tasks and health.

This technology isn’t just for the young or health-obsessed, either – it can also be used to improve the care of patients with Alzheimer’s.

Automated devices that can be installed at home are incredibly beneficial for caretakers and their loved ones and allow the person with Alzheimer’s dementia to remain at home longer.

More new innovations in Alzheimer’s care include:

GPS tracking devices: Many caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients are wary of their loved one walking too far away from home and being unable to find their way back.

Devices with programmable GPS systems help relieve the worries associated with the wandering that is symptomatic of Alzheimer’s.

These devices allow caregivers to track where their loved one is, even if they have left a pre-designated boundary. GPS trackers come in the form of small battery powered devices, cell phone apps, or even shoe inserts. These devices will send alerts via phone or e-mail that the wearer needs help getting home safely.

Home Monitors: Home monitoring technology isn’t exactly new, but there are many recent improvements on older tech designs.

Already, technology has been developed to facilitate motion sensors on the front door, chairs and couches, and elsewhere in the home, to alert caregivers if there is too little activity over a period of time, or if their actions differ from the norm.

Monitors under mattresses can also be installed, with the ability to detect if the senior in bed is beginning to exhibit irregular pulse or respiratory patterns. For older Alzheimer’s patients, using these tools to catch early warning signs and symptoms can be make a drastic difference.

Wearable pendant or wristband: Wearable monitoring devices are some of the most reliable products for knowing if your loved one is safe at home. Worn around the neck, on the wrist, or pinned on clothing, they are discreet and waterproof so that they can stay on at all times.

Designed with a help button that will alert the wearer’s caretaker or an emergency response team if the wearer is in trouble or suffers a fall. These devices are produced by some of the biggest names in home security, like ADT (see SecurityChoice.com for details) and can also send alerts every 30 days to ensure they are working properly.

Automated home features: Aging seniors with Alzheimer’s symptoms are liable to forget to perform many simple tasks at home. Little things like neglecting to turn off the stove, blow out a candle, or take important medications can have life-threatening implications. There are now automation systems on the market that can be programmed to assist Alzheimer’s patients as they continue to live independently. These systems can be programmed to turn off the gas if your loved one forgets, and also switch electronics, lights, and other home appliances off on a timer.

Coming Up Next – Apple iWatch: While still in the prototype phase, there have been many rumors and speculations swirling about the launch of Apple’s new “iWatch.” An iWatch, or similar wearable technology, could be a powerful tool for people with Alzheimer’s.

This device could be worn like a watch, but would perform like a highly sensitive computer or smartphone. It’s still in the prototype phase, but reports say that the iWatch will be capable of monitoring everything from sleep patterns to glucose and calorie consumption.

The number of innovations in automated home systems and other technology over the past few years has been remarkable. Technology, the next frontier in the crusade to help Alzheimer’s patients and others live longer and more comfortably, promises a variety of new ways to provide compassionate care.

Author bio: Beth Kelly is a technology and security blogger, who primarily covers topics pertaining to healthcare tech, energy efficiency, and home security. You can follow her on Twitter at @bkelly_88

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Memory Loss Digital Calendar Digital Alarm Clock Memory Loss Digital Calendar Digital LED Clock Active Living Oversized Digital Big Button Universal Remote Tek Pal Remote Control Large Button Remote

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Fidget Quilt for dementia, will it help your loved one

01/1935 Comments

A Fidget Quilt for Dementia

Anne Marie Rowe, seated, who started The Fidget Quilt for dementia Project, examines some of the work by talented quilters Annette Burns, left, and Rhonda Lowery. http://www.times-herald.com/

As children are often calmed by their favorite toy or blanket, a person with Alzheimer’s dementia or other Memory Loss may also be soothed by a Dementia Fidget Quilt.

Often, during later stages of dementia, their hands fidget as though agitated or searching for something to hold. The person with dementia may pull on their clothing or bedding, rubbing their hands up and down.

I remember Mom rubbing her hands constantly, twisting and wringing them, balling them up in her lap, then with open palms she’d rub them up and down the front of her slacks. I wish I had known about the Fidget Quilt back then.

Mom often carried an old purse. The inside was stuffed with a few of her favorite things; buttons, yarn, beads, a coin purse with quarters, nickels and pennies. Whatever small object she found and liked to touch, went right into her purse. She could sit for an hour and roll those coins around between her fingers.

Toting a purse around the house isn’t an activity that we would normally think of for an elderly person with memory loss, but it’s something that actually soothes some of the people with dementia. Whether it be an old purse or a Fidget Quilt for dementia, it keeps their hands busy.

The Fidget Blanket has pockets and zippers and buttons, and can keep their hands busy for hours. They can be large to lay across their lap or as small as needed.

It sort of reminds me of my children’s favorite Blankie. When my daughter was young, she refused to gives her up. The only thing I could think to do was to continually make it smaller. So I began to cut a 2″ strip from the outer edge on a weekly basis.

Eventually, that old raggedy blanket was not much larger than a napkin but my daughter still carried it around pushed up to her cheek for several months.

Have you found an activity that helps your loved one with fidgeting hands? Or have an experience with the Fidget Blanket. We’d love to hear about it and share with others hoping to find a way to soothe their loved one.

I found this Twiddle Kitty on Amazon, a sweet substitute if you aren’t a seamstress: Beads, zippers, buttons, ties and pockets! My Mom crocheted and could stay busy for hours crocheting round circles for hot pads. She longer remembered how to make the intricate things she’d done in her youth, but she did make gorgeous hot pads.

The Twiddle Kitty

Besides the Twiddle Kitty, Amazon also has the Adult Activity Apron. This might be a great help to keep fingers busy,

The Activity Apron for Alzheimer’s / dementia Busy Fingers

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Does Mom with Alzheimer’s Need a Baby doll?

01/034 Comments

Does Mom with Alzheimer’s need a Baby Doll?

I use to wonder if Mom (with Alzheimer’s) might like a baby doll of her own? She was so drawn to babies. Any sort of baby, actually; Baby kittens, baby pictures, real live babies or even baby dolls. She would oooh and ahh over my granddaughters baby dolls like they were the real thing.

My mom loved to shop. It wasn’t that she liked buying things but she loved shopping. The soft elevator music in the background, the busy aisles filled with friendly, smiling people. The scramble to find the perfect item before her best friend bought it.

Mom and I could shop for hours and sit for even longer watching other people shop. Some of my favorite conversations with Mom happened at the open-air Pizza Pub inside the mall where we always stopped to catch our breath.

Then Alzheimer’s came visiting and gradually our shopping venues shrank. From the busy bustling super Malls to smaller and smaller shopping centers. Eventually Mom was quite satisfied with the neighborhood Dollar Store. Fewer aisles meant less walking for mom and fewer people to watch.

Still, I can’t count the times I’ve lost track of her. She would wander away trailing a young mother with child or any baby stroller with a tiny bundle inside.

Mom loved babies. And her mother loved babies too. During Mom’s younger years she would tell stories of Grandma and her final days with Alzheimer’s.

My grandmother had roamed the halls of a nursing home for two years searching for her lost, newborn baby. Constantly distraught and agitated, Grandma was certain that her baby was in distress and needed her to be nursed back to health.

For several years during the late stages of dementia, my Grandma cried endless tears for a “need” that could have been so easily met. And I feared the same for my own Mother when her love to be around small children escalated right along with the progression of dementia. Eventually, Mom forgot the stories she had shared with me about Grandma’s depression and desperate search for a newborn baby that was only a vacant memory.

Then, near the end of Mom’s battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia, those sad memories returned and Mom began to pine for her own lost baby that did not exist.

I’d read an article that seemed silly at the time, but decided to try it when nothing else salved Mom’s sadness. I found the perfect, cherub faced, plump little baby doll that smiled broadly from morning to night. Mom carried and loved that baby, proud that her baby had such a sweet disposition. I was relieved as well, and only wished I could have done the same for my grandmother all those many years ago.

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The Real “feel like” baby dolls

Paradise Galleries Lifelike Realistic Weighted Baby Doll, Tall Dreams, 10 Piece Ensemble, 19-inch, Ages 3+Check Price Baby Doll That Looks Real, Baby Layla, 21 inch Flex-Touch Vinyl, with Weighted BodyCheck Price Andrea Arcello Ashley Breathing Lifelike Baby Doll: So Truly Real – 17Check Price

And more life-like Baby Dolls any Mom would love

JC Toys La Baby 11-Inch JC Toys La Newborn JC Toys Lots to Cuddle Babies Twins Dolls Little Mommy Bedtime Baby Doll