Episode 4i – Full Episode 4 – Tools to Make Your Life as a Care Giver Easier

Last updated on March 10, 2021

Building the Essential Care Giving Tool Kit. Tips and tools for helping you manage the nitty gritty of your loved one’s care.

Show Notes:

https://fivewishes.org/Home

https://www.nhpco.org/advancedirective/

Here are examples of a fidget wristband and spinner.  My dad actually started with the fidget spinner just as he began the cognitive decline. He eventually could no longer make it spin and this frustrated him. The wristband was helpful in preventing repetitive picking at his skin.

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This is a “fidget blanket” which may be used to help care receivers with stress, anxiety, or agitation.  Watch your care receiver closely to ensure none of the adornments are pulled off or put into mouth.

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These are close-up shots of the panels of my dad’s fidget blanket to show in greater detail the adornments and textures. My dad loved the mesh maze with the stone inside that he could push around. He also played with the strip of button tabs and zipped and unzipped all zippers. The stuffed animals were delightful until he decided they would be lunch! We put these away for a time, and then stored them in their pockets on the blanket, until the next use, at which time he was not interested in the stuffed animals at all!.

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Source: Anna Baird Galloway, OTD, OTR/L, MT-BC is an assistant professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Florida and is also a board certified Music Therapist who provided consultation on this podcast as it relates to the use of music with the chronically ill.