Do all dementia patients fold things?

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Do all dementia patients fold things?

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A fidget pillow is made so that there hands are busy, my Mom's has fur, buttons, a zipper and a few other things. Google it and you will have a better idea. I bought hers on Etsey and so far she seems to like it,

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My mother likes to fold tissues into perfect squares. At first, this strange, repetitive behavior annoyed me. But now I feel that if it keeps her occupied, reduces her anxiety and is safe, I let her fold to her heart's content.

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My mom is in hospice and does the same thing. The hospice nurse says they see this a lot with patients. Couldn't give me an explanation as to why. It seems harmless so we just let her do it.
BTW what is a Fidget Pillow??

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Hopefully this doesn't sound demeaning...my son has sever autism and gets obsessed in doing repetive behaviors. An above post made me think of something that worked for him for a while. It's a doll - Dapper Dan or Dressy Betsey. These dolls are permently dressed in cloths that have buttons, zippers and ties. Little Rainman would work his Dapper Dan for hours at a time. It kept him busy and re enforced self-help skills - also helped to develop his fine motor skills. Just an idea...

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My mother does the same thing and I've often wondered why. She folds the sheets on her bed frequently, sometimes she folds her nightgown as well. Even when I sit with her holding her hand she'll sometimes do it, often she'll reach for my shirt and tries to fold it as well. Interesting (and a bit relieving ) to know that this isn't uncommon, I'm looking forward to reading other responses.

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My mom had a roommate with dementia when she was in a rehab facility. She always folded tissues. My mom has started to cover everything with towels, dishcloths, placemats.. Even her garbage cans.

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My husband folds paper all day, tissues, tp, paper towels & stuffs neatly into all his pockets, late stage 6

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I agree with the poster who suggested that your mom may very well be anxious. Put yourself in her shoes for a moment. If anyone knew they were actually going to die soon, I think they would also be anxious as well. You may want to talk to her about the afterlife as well as meeting her maker, because the soul will definitely go somewhere after this life, and it's the unknown that people fear. This would be an excellent opportunity to tell her about Jesus, because to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord if you're actually saved. Death is really not the end as some people think, there really is an afterlife that we will all one day face. There are only two places, and we will all end up at one of those two places. Like it or not, there is an afterlife awaiting us all. Now is the time to prepare for that afterlife and to prepare our loved ones for what they will face, especially when they are nearing the end.

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Yep, my husband folds his "bib" neatly and arranges all his stuff on his desk perfectly. But then again, he was always one for having things in their proper place. Don't worry about it. The brain is trying to organize things, but several steps are missing in dementia.

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At my moms NH, they would set a low basket with face cloths, old socks or old ties on their bed or bedside table for them to "work" & "help" out with.

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These are moments of remembering. I am sure she has folded tons of laundry in her life. This behavior is not harmful to self or others. Let her be. Praise her if you see her folding stuff, but do not scold her or und what she has just done. Be kind and loving.

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I make fidget quilts and I hear this a lot from people about thier loved ones. The suggestions here are good--give her some thing else to fold like napkins or washcloths or something to "sort" like different colored buttons on a muffin tin (supervised).

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I remember my mother talking about giving my grandmother, who had dementia, a basket of washcloths to fold. It brought her some measure of peace to fold. I don't think we'll know why this is for sure, but I can see the familiarity of a repetitive activity long imbedded in memory bringing some comfort to a person living in constant confusion.

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Dad puts his trousers on a chair, folded sonewhat. Ask him why they're there and he says he's taking them to the dry cleaner. Ok, on the chair they stay. He's forever fiddling with his belt buckle. Seems like he needs to keep his hands busy. For awhile he walked holding his pants up. Checked to be sure they fit properly. They did. It was a habit he developed. Now he constantly fiddles with the belt buckle. So be it.

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My Mom's hand are always moving, folds her pants up to her thigh and rolls her shirt. I bought a fidget pillow and it helps a little.

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My mom is constantly "packing" her things. Not her clothes, per say, normally its toiletries and the few things she thinks are important. Mom is not in end stage though. Every time I come, I unpack and put her things away and ask her to hang up her clothes.

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Yes my client who has had dementia for two decades has always folded things, wrapped things up and taped them, folds napkins and placemats after eating. If you get some wash cloths any cheep kind will do put in small basket near her she will fold them and maybe not focus on her sheets or gown. It really seems to calm them in some way and focus their mind

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These repetitive behaviors are often exhibited with people with dementia. If they are not hurting themselves or you, then I suggest that you accept her behavior for what it is. Folding does keep her occupied. The reason might be found in her past, but rather than asking her, I suggest that you recognize that you can't do anything about it, even if it annoys you. I know it is probably hard to watch your mother do this.

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I have no idea why, but Mom does it too. Mainly the newspaper that my DH hasn't read yet. Tell her she doesn't need to but she tells me someone told her to.

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My mom does the same thing. She just always needs to be doing something with her hands. I think when the brain can't stay engaged they need something to keep them busy. Since your Mother is bed ridden, she has nothing to do. When my mother was in the hospital, we put a couple stuffed animals on her bed and she would hold them or pet them. We also took a few hand towels and wash rags and layed them on top of her. She just kept folding them and then we would spread them out again so she could start over. Telling her stories seemed to help a little.

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My mother worked in a nursing home years ago. When elderly patients were close to expiring, they would constantly fold the end of their blankets or sheets over and over again. I don't know why they do this, but I do remember her telling me that and also my grandmother told me the same thing.

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She sounds a bit anxious. Hold her hand, listen to her concerns. Ask friends and family to come say their goodbyes. Calming music may help, play her favorites.

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Do all dementia patients fold things?

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