Benefits Of A Fidget Ring For People With Dementia
A fidget ring and similar types of jewelry or toys can be fun and are popular with kids. Did you know they can also be useful for older adults? Here, we’ll outline several reasons you might want to consider a fidget ring for an older adult with dementia.
For more caregiving tips and tricks, check this link to see if you have free access to Trualta’s resources and community of caregivers.
What Is A Fidget Ring?
Fidget jewelry, including fidget rings, is designed for sensory stimulation, mindfulness, and fidgeting. Many people can benefit from fidget jewelry for reducing anxiety, increasing relaxation, dispersing stress, and simply being more mindful.
A fidget ring, also known as a worry ring or spinner ring, is one of these jewelry items. It can be made from gold, silver, or less expensive materials, like stainless steel. The ring has moving parts that the wearer can easily and even discreetly fidget with at any time.
The functionality varies depending on the ring. Many have a ring within an outer band that spins around, while others have small beads that move within the ring.
How Can A Fidget Ring Help Someone With Dementia?
A fidget ring is useful for anxiety, sensory stimulation, and more. These are a few ways it could help your loved one with dementia.
Sensory Stimulation
Sensory stimulation means engaging the senses, including touch, which is engaged when someone uses a fidget ring. Studies have shown that sensory stimulation can help patients with dementia by improving memory, cognition, and even difficult behaviors.
These studies have used approaches like music therapy or aromatherapy to stimulate hearing and smelling. A fidget ring is just one of many sensory tools that can help a dementia patient.
Fidget rings and similar devices are also successfully used by other people with sensory issues. These include people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism, which are sensory processing disorders.
Reduce Anxiety
Anxiety is common in patients with dementia. Older adults with dementia often become agitated when they feel anxious or scared. They can become very upset and angry. They may move around more, pace, wander off, or engage in repetitive movements.
Fidget rings help manage anxiety by allowing the wearer to focus on their senses. This has long been a strategy for people who struggle with anxiety. Paying attention to what you can sense (see, feel, touch, smell, or hear) brings your mind to the present moment and can be comforting. An anxiety ring offers a distraction from whatever triggered the anxiety and stress.
Outlet For Restlessness & Agitation
Anxiety and fear can easily lead to restlessness and agitation in dementia patients. These are common and also potentially distressing and dangerous. A dementia patient who is agitated and restless may become violent and hurt themselves or others. They might also wander away from home and get lost.
Fidget rings may help alleviate anxiety and agitation by providing an outlet. While anxiety and agitation can often manifest in destructive movements, even violent outbursts, a fidget toy can direct the feelings and physical agitation into a harmless type of movement.
In some studies, researchers have examined the use of rocking chairs to dispel agitation in dementia patients. Similarly to a fidget ring, a rocking chair provides a safe, physical outlet for distress and the urge to move.
A Fidget Ring Is A Low-Cost, Easy Solution
While you can buy a gold or silver ring, fidget rings are also available in affordable materials. These offer a low-cost and easy solution to some of the distress and agitation dementia patients experience. A fidget ring is an easy tool. It isn’t high-tech and doesn’t require specialized knowledge or skills to use. Using it is a subtle way to dispel difficult feelings and energy.
Fidget rings are simple devices that could make a big difference in the life of a loved one with dementia. They could be a perfect gift and one more tool in your toolbox for helping them manage difficult feelings and behaviors.
For more caregiving tips and tricks, check this link to see if you have free access to Trualta’s resources and community of caregivers.
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