Rummage Box for Dementia

That’s lovely, Suzannah. I hope your DF enjoys his new pastimes.

Just finished reading all your posts - my thanks to you all for your suggestions.

BladeAnnie you are so very kind to offer! I spent the evening crocheting a square (about the limit of my abilities ) and have loads of buttons and things to attach so will do that.

After thinking about the posts suggesting things to do with work this morning I cut a small section of wood from an offcut hanging around the garage and painted it. This afternoon I drilled some holes and attached some nuts and bolts and wingnuts. I have a small spanner I can live without that fits the bolts.

I also found an old plastic case with a clear top (like those you buy a pen and pencil set in) and cut some polystyrene packing to fit the bottom with a round runnel down the middle. Three of my OH's old marbles run up and down when you move it about. Took a few attempts to make it all fit properly but it works.

I've also gathered up a bunch of keys and attached them to an old keyring.

So I think his box is now going to be quite full! All I have to do now is cover the box and post it.

Thank you so much for taking the time to post your ideas. They've been tremendously helpful.

Our group each made a twiddle blanket. The base can be sewn, knitted or crocheted, with zips, buttons with loops, bobbles, bells, ribbons, shoe laces etc on top.

This may be a silly suggestion but what about some lego models? They can be made over and over again ranging from easy to very difficult.

How about a key ring with keys on it or magnets that can be joined together or taken apart easily.

My friend’s husband has dementia and is in a special unit. He has a new occupational therapist who has been brilliant. At the end of his career, our friend was very much office-based. His OT has provided him with paper, some coloured Manila files and pens/pencils and he now spends time happily shuffling the papers around, putting them in and out of files and ‘writing’ on them.

I know you don’t want baby toys for your father but there are some lovely children’s activities available that might occupy your dad’s hands. Melissa & Doug wooden products are well made and tactile. Some of these are out of stock but they’ll give you an idea. www.woodentoyshop.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/index/?manufacturer=18&q=Melissa+and+Doug+

Sets of measuring spoons, you can buy plastic or metal ones.

There are childrens/baby toys that are like a ring with beads on, very secure and colorful, think they were meant for teething.

Blubelle. You want OP to put a baby Kangaroo in a box?!

Fidget spinners? They're out of fashion with the grandchildren now so might be some spare?

SuzannahM - I've almost finished one and as my daughter's ward is becoming a dedicated covid ward, they are not able to accept them atm. If you would like this, you are more than welcome - however I won't be offended if you want to make one yourself

Oldbat1 we don't have postcards but instead what I can do is print our some of his old black and white photos taken in Singapore, Germany, Aden, etc., from his RAF days and put them in a bag. I know he remembers them, or did a year ago which was the last time I saw him , so he would probably enjoy picking through them. Thanks for the idea!
We've done a small album of pictures just of family as well.

Willow73 and BladeAnnie - thanks for that. I was trying to remember what a twiddle muff was called! He doesn't have one but I'm making one with thee help of You Tube. My fingers can't seem to manage knitting needles much, but I might be able to crochet enough. It doesn't have to be too neat thankfully

kittylester thank you. My Dad was an engineer, most of his life in the RAF, then in a factory until he retired. He does still like to take things apart, if he can. Unfortunately my Mam doesn't always know how to put them back together

He really only likes jazz music and big bands - he has a huge collection of records that he used to listen to a lot. My Mam hates jazz, but doesn't mind big bands so she plays his records for him now and then. That's a double edged sword though - as soon as he hears the strains of Glenn Miller he tries to get up for a dance, and of course he can't stand up. If he manages to stand up his balance goes very quickly and he ends up on the floor.

We are lucky enough to have kept old postcards which were rummaged through by mil. Old buttons in a tin were also a favourite. Old time music too if able to access something to play on. An Alexa is useful as it will play different decades of music and different types when asked obviously needs supervision. A baby tactile square of different materials and different crinkle sounds too. Best wishes.

Has he had a twiddlemuff? My daughter is a nurse on an elderly medical ward and they use them all the time for dementia patients. This is hand knitted "muff" with lots of buttons, pom poms and other safe fiddly bits. If anyone wants a knitting pattern or any further info don't hesitate to send me a pm

m4dradio.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiAxeX_BRASEiwAc1QdkU6IQd0_lkjGdw9pc5HNaW2Pb5uawVkeNd9MGmQGKVUHXbE3a1vygBoCGIsQAvD_BwE

Link to dementia radio.

Even if you DF didn't like music, music often strikes a chord.

What did your father do when he worked?

I help deliver courses for Carer's of people living with dementia and things I have heard of include a man who worked in a bank very happily recounting money and a woman resorting socks all the time.

Our libraries, when they were open, could access memory boxes with specific themes including transport, the seaside etc.

Also, in those boxes are Ladybird books from a particular era.

You could also make him a playlist to play through Alexa (other devices are available ) and there is a dementia radio station which I think is just called Dementia Radio.

Newton's Cradle ! That's what it's called ! Duh.

Actually Dadimma that might be a good idea - remember those ones that had a line of metal balls hanging off a pole, and you drop the end one which then knocks on all the others? Can't think how to describe that better I'll have a look around

Crochet an octopus. They are given to dementia sufferers and premature babies, so they can twist and hold onto the tenticles.

Sorry, I meant to say that I can’t help with suggestions for your box, but maybe he’d like some ‘ executive toys’ if they’re still a thing. They used to be promoted as stress relievers.

My friend is involved in this, and they have had some great results.

www.playlistforlife.org.uk/

I did try it for the Bodach, whose dementia was relatively mild before he died, but it made him very emotional listening to ‘his’ music, and, mysteriously, the ipod disappeared!

OmavanderSloot I'm not quite sure what my Dad would make of a doll, but thank you !

My mom's psychiatrist recommended a doll, with blanket, bottle, etc.

Thank you so much for responding Bluebelle and Grannmarie, and for your suggestions.

Old coins I could certainly find, I did think of marbles too but I'm a bit scared he might try and eat them! He gets a bit confused at times about what he can eat and what he can't. I could probably put some coins in a zip up bag. I do have some dice I could put in.

A snow globe could be good too. His sight has deteriorated a lot but he would be able to see that. He was an engineer in the RAF for many years and still tries to take things apart, so that's something else I have to be aware of - or my DM will end up having to put it back together!