Has anyone used a "fiddle blanket" to help calm and occupy someone with dementia?

It keeps her hands occupied and seems to calm her. The one I bought on Ebay (from pekeamore5 ) has a vintage hankie as the pocket, a zipper, beads and textured areas. It is soft but not like a comfort blanket, more like a big placemat with stuff to distract her.
PS- My error - it is called a fidget not a fiddle :)

I assume you are referring to a fidget quilt or blanket? There is a local group in my town that makes fidget aprons, and I have seem other fidget toys and stuffed animal companions online. They are supposed to be great as they provide a variety of ribbons, zips, pockets, buttons etc to stroke and play with. What is the favorite thing for your mom, or is it mostly the whole snuggling thing as GardenArtist suggests?

I've never heard this term so I was unfamiliar with it. I've used warm fleece blankets and "snuggies", but I'm not sure if the comfort created was because it was warm or if there was something else involved. I did make thick comforters for my parents to take with them in their travel trailer when they wintered in Texas. I always thought they liked them just because they were so warm, but perhaps there was some attachment because they were made by one of their daughters.

But given that children can be attached to "blankies", it doesn't surprise me that something soft and warm, given or created by a loved one, can inspire positive feeling.

How has your mother changed with the blanket you've given her?

It's a good idea; I'm going to try it sometime.