My wife constantly chews on her fingers. Her former, well maintained, beautiful nails are completely gone. Do dementia patients normally take to these "toys", and stop the harmful habits? I've checked some of the offerings at the Alzheimer's Store and found most them fairly expensive, would hate to spend the money and find the toy to be not suitable.
An adult chewing on anything can cause quite a bit of damage and can result in small parts breaking off or being chewed off. These can be swallowed or aspirated easily. So check items that are chewed on for any damage.
(I can't tell you how many blocks, decks of cards and puzzles I tossed out because they were chewed)
It's better than any fidget toy or exercise ball they use for arthritis.
Chewelry is a product specially designed for humans who like to chew and are doing damage to their hands or other body parts BY chewing. I would never recommend a 'dog toy' to chew on for your wife b/c she's not a dog but a lovely woman who deserves something more appropriate than a 'dog toy'. This Chewelry is designed as a necklace and does not cost more than a dog toy. Check out the link here:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=chewelry+for+adults&crid=RQB5GPGUGEES&sprefix=chewel%2Caps%2C244&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_6
I posted a tip the other day about elders with dementia who pick at themselves, and a nail treatment/gel polish that tends to stop that behavior w/o the use of drugs which rarely work anyway. Check out my post here:
https://www.agingcare.com/discussions/skin-picking-with-dementiaalzheimers-how-to-stop-it-without-drugs-479144.htm
I don't know that this SNS nail treatment would work for your wife, but it's an easy and relatively inexpensive thing to try. Along with the Chewelry.
You often have to spend some money in an effort to find relief for your loved one.
Best of luck to you Fred.
I am going to mention this to a friend of mine who has a son on the spectrum.
He is always looking for something to chew on due to issues with Pica.
She generally buys apples. He goes through a lot of apples quickly!
Thanks for sharing!
See this website:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=toys+for+dementia&crid=2UVRE5A9X0611&sprefix=toys+for+dementia%2Caps%2C128&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
* There are many websites selling these types of items. This is just one of them.
Do your research .
From what I've observed, the 'baby' and pet dogs and cats are enjoyed / helpful, although those would likely be the expensive ones - Although you might be able to find one that is no longer needs by a family member (when loved one passes). What do people do with these things? Likely give to a nursing home. Check on Next Door or ask anywhere you think people / family members may look. Possibly Facebook / or your other multi media.
* Always check on return policy before you purchase.
* It isn't a habit; the behavior is a result of the dementia / brain changing. Although I think you are using the term loosely.
* Ask a social worker or activity director at a Nursing Home (and call a Day-Care Center). Even if your wife isn't a resident there, they likely will connect you to someone to offer suggestions / feedback.
Gena / Touch Matters
Plus, it isn't good for the environment so using 'used' bubble wrap could be a second way to make use of it. I would not suggest anyone actually buy it.
Others have simply put a deck of cards on a table in front of the dementia patient. or a simple child size puzzle ( few pieces, large ).
The folding cloths was most effective.
An occupational therapist might have other suggestions to help.
Best regards.....
If she's doing herself harm with picking at her nails, you should also have her in gloves that she cannot remove.
I had a client like this who picked at her nails constantly. She had to be in gloves then eventually in mitts because she was getting into her diaper at night. Try the baby/toddler toys. Even the chew toys for dogs could help her. They're pretty much the same thing as the Alzheimer's ones only way cheaper.
Gloves are a great solution for this.
I am wondering about something. Perhaps you could offer some feedback, please.
My neighbor’s elderly mother developed this habit of scratching her head until it bleeds.
I was thinking that maybe it was dandruff. She said that it wasn’t.
I bet gloves would be a good idea for her too.
try your local Alzheimer’s society. Ours has a program where other able seniors make them with donated materials and they are given out to people with dementia . We just made a small donation so they could buy more materials . It’s a good way to try it out .
You could try putting Ivory soap under her nails (or what's left of them). It might dissuade her from putting her fingers in her mouth if it tastes bad. It's an old remedy for nailbiting. You could also try putting mittens on her hands.
I never used a fidget mat, but I gave my GM a basket of washcloths and kitchen towels and asked her to help me by folding them.
He typically would chew on the neck of his t-shirt if he did not have anything else in his hand. If he had a blanket over his lap that would get pulled up and chewed on, if he was holding a napkin (I use cloth napkins) he would chew that.
I searched for different things for him to chew. I went the route of some dog toys. Soft ones, hard ones, I got baby teething toys soft ones, hard ones, smooth ones, bumpy ones. I finally found a few he liked and would make sure he had one of them in hand all the time.
If he did not have anything he would chew on his fingers.
So...trial and error find something that she likes to chew on.
It might also help if you place a washcloth in her hand. That might keep her from chewing on her fingers.
I would definitely recommend the fidget apron.