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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.

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While I mentioned I gave my Husband baby chew toys and some soft dog toys keep in mind that ANY teething toy, dog toy or any of the "fidgit" toys that are sold HAVE to be monitored.
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)
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I got the most squishy toys at the thrift store for Mom! One is a "Hello Kitty" and the other a chick, (very soft colors) It's foam that is really supple and she loves them! The easier the better, those pop toys were too hard for her to work.
It's better than any fidget toy or exercise ball they use for arthritis.
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They worked for my mom in the beginning stages of the disease but as her disease progressed, she paid less and less attention to them.
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My moms in the hospital and very fidgety..I noticed she does better with the tv remote/lights remote. Turns things on and off. Then she gets tired and settles down for awhile..I would try some “toys”.
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Fred3202: The powder gel treatment for nails called SNS and recommended by Lealonnie is a great suggestion. Thank you Lealonnie.
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Some love to hold dolls. For fidget toys don't look at any kind of store with the word 'medical or medical devices' in it. Go to Walmart or Dollar stores. If you have grandkids, ask them if they would donate to let her try something out. If you know a teacher, they can also offer some suggestions.
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Make sure her hand, especially fingertips are well moisturized and filed. If I feel any little bit of skin on my nails that catches, I’m after it without thought.
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My husband fidgeted with power lines like recharge stations. My son brought a large tangle of non working, dead wires, multi plugs, various things to plug into each other. Nothing plugged in to wall but placed on table to look like they were. He spends hours “straightening and coiling” them and they are easy to mess up again.
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Two suggestions:

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.
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NeedHelpWithMom Jan 2023
Lea,

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!
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There are all kinds. Some are not expensive.
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
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lealonnie1 Jan 2023
Anything that's done repetitively and on a daily basis is a habit, for petesake. Why on earth would you split hairs over the use of the word as it pertains to dementia? Demented folks cannot develop habits? 🙄
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Ask her Geriatric Psychiatrist to prescribe anxiety meds.
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My mother liked pleating a blanket in her lap or the bottom of her blouse hours on end. This wasn't planned for her, she just did it. Put a light blanket over her lap and see what happens. My SIL likes a floppy stuffed animal that she can stroke.
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I used the towels. I would unfold the same group of towels and wash clothes every day. She was so precise it would take her hours to fold them. She felt as though she was helping me and it gave her a feeling of accomplishment. I would compliment her ability and it seemed to please her. Socks work also. I did try other things like sorting buttons, grouping thread by color, rolling a ball of yarn. For my mom, the towels worked best.
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I've read others who suggested that popping bubble wrap kept their LOs busy.
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TouchMatters Jan 2023
If an/other/s can handle that noise.
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.
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My mother did very well with a baby doll. It was very comforting and kept her busy all day. Ashton-Drake.com has dolls specifically designed for Dementia patients. It was a Godsend for my Mom. Get one that looks like her own children. Good luck.
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Some people have found simply making a supply of wash cloths, hand towels, dish towels, smaller bath towels or other clothes available in a basket for the person with dementia to "fold" ( or move about ) is very effective. I know one family who routinely each morning placed a supply of towels , wash cloths, etc in the dryer and removed them nice and warm into a cloths basket to then be put in close proximity to the dementia patient so they could reach them and "fold" them . they would express to the dementia patient how helpful this is for the family.

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.....
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I think this is dependent on individuals. I tried it for my mom and have tried on the units I work on....the blankets/toys just get dumped on the floor LOL. Worth a try but not to spend a lot of money on until you get the idea it works. Best of luck. I have used ladies gloves ....those worked the best.
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Sharonlee77 is right. Try her out using some baby toys for toddlers like teething rings and such.
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.
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NeedHelpWithMom Jan 2023
Burnt,

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.
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They make fidget toys for toddlers and babies that are much less expensive. My 3 year old granddaughter has autism and my daughter found some nice ones for her on on Amazon. I just checked it and found a wide variety from $5.99 up to around $20. They make a large variety of teething toys that adults could use too. They don’t have to be made specifically for Alzheimer’s patients. She just needs something to do with her hands and/or mouth. If she formerly crocheted, that may work. Give her some yarn and a large crochet hook. I’ve also seen them respond to a baby doll, dressing and undressing it. They make them for toddlers with zippers, buttons, etc., but you can’t actually undress them—just do the buttons, Velcro, etc. A toy with doors that open and close may keep her busy. Water colors or crayons may keep her busy as well. Plastic kitchen utensils and a bowl may work. I would start with household items first and see what she likes. Others suggested counting, sorting and folding items. I wish you luck!
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I think it totally depends on the individual . I hear people who pick as their repetitive motion do well with them . My dad had a lot of anxiety from sitting idle as he was a wonderer and it didn’t help for him .
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 .
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My mother was a hair-twirler, but she did it her entire life so dementia didn't bring it on. She was twirling her hair even when she was no longer conscious the day before she died

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.
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My friend took care of her sister with Down’s syndrome. She developed dementia. My friend bought the blanket with all of the gadgets attached. Her sister seemed to like it.
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You could make one to try out before spending the money to see if it's helpful. The mats seem doable if you're handy with a glue gun or hand sewing. There are many DIY tutorials on YouTube.

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.
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My Husband was a chewer.
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.
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cwillie Jan 2023
I know they do have chew toys for special needs adults but no doubt dog toys are cheaper and more than likely just as safe and durable, brilliant idea!
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From what I saw at the nursing home I'd say no, they aren't worth it if you don't have a lot of money to spend. The aprons, the realistic pets, the tool boxes and gadget boards all came and went, only holding interest for a day or two when they were a novelty. I think with a little bit of thought and diy ingenuity you can probably come up with similar cheaper options to try. Some other suggestions I've heard to keep the hands and mind occupied are winding balls of yarn, sorting coins or nuts and bolts, folding laundry (just a big basket of assorted towels, socks and washcloths).
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Fred3202 Jan 2023
Thank you cwillie. All good ideas, have to give it a try with something she might like to do.
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I know there's a "fidget" apron that has many different options for keeping the hands busy, from zipping and unzipping things, big buttons to work, Velcro strips and many other things that I have personally seen work well with someone with dementia. And the fact that it's a an apron means that you can tie it around your loved ones waste and it will stay put while they futz with it, unlike some "fidget" blankets that can easily fall to the floor and you have to keep picking up.
I would definitely recommend the fidget apron.
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Fred3202 Jan 2023
Haven't seen one of those, have to see it maybe that would fit our needs.
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Try a fidget spinner. They cost a few dollars and are pretty cool. But don't get your hopes up. If nail-biting is her way of expressing anxiety, it might be really hard to get her to stop.
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Dupedwife Jan 2023
It’s not a good idea to give his wife a fidget spinner. If she bites the fidget spinner the small parts can become dislodged and she can swallow them which will create a problem. This has happened to kids, and it can also happen to someone with dementia.
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