Dementia Activity Mats

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello! I just started working on an internal medicine ward in which the average age of our patients is 70-75. A lot of our patients have a history of dementia, Alzheimer's, and some confusion from past TIA's and strokes. I was wondering if anyone has used any kind of activity mat, apron or overlay to help keep patients distracted and occupied in order to keep them from trying to get out of bed (forgetting to call) and falling/ hurting themselves. If you have used them before, are they a one-time use only or are there disposable/reusable versions out there? Thank you!

I have used them and they are nice. The patient can snap, zip, feel different textures. You can use them over and over.

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

One of my friends and colleagues made a couple and made sure was safe to go in the washing machine and work really well with clients

Specializes in ICU.

My general medicine unit carries "activity aprons", which each patient can keep throughout their stay and at discharge, so long as they don't become soiled. However, success with those has depended on the patient. One of my nonverbal dementia patients gave me quite the glare when I showed her an apron, and another played with it for a good 3 minutes before going back to pulling pads off her siderails. I checked on her to discover a bloody arm and asked if she removed her IV, to hear "yeah, so now I can finally go to sleep." Fun times. Also, asking dementia patients to "help me" fold towels has worked better for the more alert ones. You just have to keep up with them and learn what clicks with the individual!

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