{"id":549,"date":"2025-04-17T08:51:48","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T15:51:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fieldstonecommunities.com\/silverdaleseniorliving\/?p=549"},"modified":"2025-04-17T08:51:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T15:51:49","slug":"practical-and-personal-products-for-dementia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fieldstonecommunities.com\/silverdaleseniorliving\/blogs\/practical-and-personal-products-for-dementia\/","title":{"rendered":"Practical and Personal Products for Dementia\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging, both emotionally and physically.  Dementia causes changes in thinking and memory that gradually make it difficult to manage everyday tasks, eventually leading to the need for regular care. That means many people are learning how to care for someone with dementia or other cognitive decline. The first and most important tool in a dementia caregiver\u2019s toolbelt is empathy and understanding. But there are some things that can help a person with dementia stay busy and manage the anxiety that often accompanies memory problems.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nettie Martini, Director of Sales and Marketing at Fieldstone of Silverdale, said stuffed animals or baby dolls can be a comfort, especially for people with a history of being caregivers themselves.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd many older adults can find purpose in helping out with daily tasks they used to handle themselves,\u201d Martini said. \u201cKeep a laundry basket filled with wash cups and things that they can fold and feel helpful, things that you already have in your home.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of the intake process at Fieldstone of Silverdale is learning as much personal history, so staff understand the people and things that bring a resident the most comfort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe want to know their life story and things that they used to like to do\u2014such as playing bingo every Monday night at the community center\u2014we\u2019ll add that to the schedule of activities<\/a> if we don\u2019t have it going on yet,\u201d said Community Relations Director Ashley Campoy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe also love pet therapy, where supervised volunteers bring in friendly animals,\u201d Campoy added. \u201cWe also have residents who live in our pet-friendly independent<\/a> and assisted living<\/a> buildings who regularly bring their dogs over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some ways you can help reduce anxiety and create a calmer, more comfortable space for your loved one with dementia<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Help reduce stress through music<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about music as a type of therapy. It can calm you down when you\u2019re stressed. It can inspire joy. It can even connect you with a memory you might have forgotten. According to a study<\/a> led by Northwestern Medicine Neurologist Borna Bondakdarpour, music can help improve agitation and anxiety in both people with dementia and their caregivers. That can lead to better communication and less stress overall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dementia radios and simple music players can be filled with favorite music and played whenever your loved one wants to listen. These radios typically have one button or large buttons and are simpler to operate than regular radios, making them easy to use for people who may have difficulties with technology. Over-the-ear headphones can help drown out loud background noise and help your loved one relax. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Give them something to do with their hands<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fidget toys, fidget blankets, and busy boards are all great ideas for keeping anxious hands busy. \u201cRestlessness\u201d is a common symptom of dementia. People experiencing restlessness may get anxious, fidget, wander, or get agitated easily.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way to help alleviate some restlessness is to provide things to play with, fidget with, and move around. With a few crafting skills, you can turn anything into a fidget toy for your loved one. Consider making one yourself with an old blanket and some items you can find in your house, at a thrift store, or a local arts and crafts store. Just make sure that everything is secure enough to last in a machine wash cycle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can add things such as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n