Busy Hands

For many Alzheimer's, Dementia, and even Stroke patients the gradual regression of their memory often leads to unintended habits of agitated movement and fidgeting with their hands. A person with Dementia may pull on their clothing or bedding, or rub their hands up and down a surface. Many patients deal with this habit by carrying around small objects such as beads, zippers, buttons, or any other textured textiles. The simple solution to this is a fidget pillow, something with different textures and material sewn in for patients in order to keep their hands busy. This not only keeps them busy but it also induces unique forms of brain activity. Busy Hands is local nonprofit organization grown out of Fargo by two juniors at Davies High from 2016. We work towards helping the many patients not only in the Fargo Moorhead area, but across the state and even into Minnesota, by donating these pillows. Much of our work goes directly into involving the youth in the community and encouraging many of them to get involved and volunteer from early ages. Through our volunteer events we have had over kids from the age of 7 to 18 help out in making these pillows for our patients. Our pillows get directly donated to many senior centers and many Alzheimer's/ Dementia care facilities across the state, some in the past have been Mapleview, Villa Maria, Touchmark, and even Bethany Retirement Centers. Currently we have been working closely with the North Dakota Alzheimer's Association, who have put our pillows in care consultations across the state, but our mission is to serve the over 14,000 patients in our state with these pillows. What specifically goes into our pillows is a variety of textured fabrics alongside with materials such as ribbons, buttons, zippers, pockets, and small materials sewn in the front. They are colorful and more importantly every pillow is different. We hope that our pillows represent the hope and encouragement that we send to these patients and their families.

Financé par Cass Clay (April 2018)