Tactile Turn: A new toy for people with dementia

Fidgeting is common in people with intermediate to advanced dementia. They may feel restless, anxious and involuntarily perform repetitive movements, constantly walking up and down or fixating on specific tasks. These are restless behaviors that can have a considerable impact on a person's life.Specialist Relish wanted to create a comforting toy that people with dementia would love and benefit from - so they created the Tactile Turn! The Tactile Turn journey At Relish, we're committed to promoting well-being at all stages of dementia. We reviewed our existing dementia products and noticed that we could offer more to people in advanced stages of dementia. We found that there were very few products on the market for this stage, and that what was available was not original - many products were not age-appropriate or desirable.Creating a product during the pandemic was a challenge, but we shared our ideas with our network of caregivers, care homes and people with dementia. Their thoughts and ideas led to the creation of Tactile Turn. Our warmest thanks to all those who contributed!A soft tactile toy that changes color as you play with it, from yellow to navy blue to light blue.About fidget toys and their benefitsFidget toys offer many advantages for people with dementia. A person can stay engaged with his or her environment by stimulating sensory perception, meaning that objects can stimulate all five senses and recall memories and emotions, with positive effects such as improved mood, self-esteem and well-being.Other benefits of fidget toys include They keep hands busy and relieve stress. They provide safe fun and promote calm and relaxation. They help combat boredom and loneliness. They meet psychological needs. People express themselves when they are unable to communicate in words. Stimulation of brain pathways by stimulating thousands of nerve receptors in the fingers. Focus on action rather than accomplishment. How does Tactile Turn work?