My Dad age 82 has had 2 strokes and seizures. He was hospitalized for over a month, was on a vent then had a trach and a peg. Then moved to a LTAC and now at a new to him skilled nursing facility. I got a call this AM that the night nurse said he was pulling on his trach tube last night. We sent him with a stuffed animal bunny to hold but clearly he needs more for his busy hands to stay occupied. Because of Covid they won't let me send in anything unless it is new and wrapped in original plastic from manufacturer. Any ideas of gadgets or items that I could order online for him that would keep his hands occupied?? I was thinking a squeeze stress ball or a nubby ball but Amazon doesn't indicate the packaging. Any help greatly appreciated!!!!
Stressed out daughter who is also caring for aging mother.
My daughter crocheted twiddle muffs with things like zippers, bells, squiggles, ribbons. Buttons with button holes. A person puts in their lap and it gives their hands something to do. You can get blankets too. Search "Twiddle blankets for Dementia".
Sedation, mild, might help as well.
It is also possible that he will try pulling the trach and the peg in his sleep so no "busy ball, fidget blanket" or other item will prevent that.
Logic would say if you ordered an item from Amazon and had it delivered to the facility that would be in "original packaging" I doubt they would have a problem with that.
What did he do for a living? Past time? Anything that involved working with his hands? Could he play dominos solely? If he has something to occupy his hands, it might distract his discomfort, but I do understand that a trach can be uncomfortable.
Is there a speech pathologist, speech therapist, or PT help? They might be in a good position to determine what he could or couldn't do to occupy his hands.
Also, what's his prognosis? Is it anticipated that he'll be able to have the trach removed? Or is this a long term prospect?
You do have my sympathy, and hope for a good resolution. This was a very rough time for my father. And it can't be easy for anyone.
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