Restlessness | Alzheimer's Society

Knit a ‘Show You Care Snuggle Bear’ fidget toy

Knitted fidget toys can be helpful for people with dementia with restless hands. Knit our Show You Care Snuggle Bear to show your support for NHS workers and care workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Walking about: Tips for carers

Here are some tips about things you can do if you're caring for a person with dementia who walks about.

New Fidget Widget toolkit provides meaningful activity for those living with dementia

An Alzheimer’s Society and University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) funded innovation has created five tactile wooden tools – the Fidget Widget toolkit.

Knit a festive fidget toy for Elf Day

Knitted fidget toys can be helpful for people with dementia with restless hands. Knit our festive elf for a seasonal friend.

03 December 2018

Knitters needed to unite against dementia and make Dementia Cannula Sleeves

Handmade for Dementia aims to reduce the number of people with dementia requiring recannulation. Are you a knitter? You could make Dementia Cannula Sleeves.

17 October 2018

How to make fidget toys for people living with dementia

Fiona Crouch shares a knitting pattern for her 'Snuggle Bear' fidget toy, designed to reduce anxiety for people with dementia who are feeling restless.

Changes of behaviour in the later stages

People in the later stages of dementia may behave out of character. These behaviours can be difficult to understand and often have different causes.

Walking about – other resources

Details about organisations that may be helpful if a person living with dementia is walking about.

Losing inhibitions

Sometimes a person with dementia can lose their inhibitions and may behave in ways that others find embarrassing.

Trailing, following and checking

A person with dementia may follow their carer around, check that they are nearby, or keep calling out or asking for people.

Supporting a person who walks about

If a person with dementia often walks about it can be difficult to know what to do. Read the following tips about supporting a person who walks about.

Hiding, hoarding and losing things

A person with dementia may hide things, store them for a long time, or lose them.

Sundowning and dementia

Sometimes a person with dementia will behave in ways that are difficult to understand more often in the late afternoon or early evening. This is known as 'Sundowning'.