Caring for a loved one with dementia can feel like navigating through fog. You watch someone you cherish struggle to remember your name, become anxious over small changes, or fidget restlessly through the day. Your heart aches as you search for ways to bring them comfort and connection. Many caregivers feel helpless when traditional activities no longer work or when their loved one becomes agitated without clear reasons. But what if there was a simple tool that could ease anxiety, spark joy, and keep hands busy in meaningful ways?
Fidgeting is not just a nervous habit—it’s a natural behavior that serves important purposes. For people with dementia, those who are neurodiverse, or anyone who needs sensory input, fidgeting provides comfort and helps the brain stay engaged. This is where Geri-Gadgets® come in. These safe, colorful, and thoughtfully designed tools offer more than distraction—they provide therapeutic benefits that improve physical, cognitive, and emotional health. Created by someone who understood dementia care from personal experience, Geri-Gadgets® are transforming how we support our loved ones.
Understanding the Need for Sensory Engagement
Why Fidgeting Matters
People with dementia often experience changes in how their brains process sensory information. Touch, texture, and movement become important ways to stay connected to the world around them. When someone fidgets, they are not being difficult—they are meeting a real need for stimulation and comfort. Fidgeting helps reduce anxiety by giving the hands something purposeful to do, which calms the mind.
Tactile stimulation—the sensation of touch—plays a crucial role in maintaining cognitive function. Research shows that keeping the brain active through regular sensory engagement can support the maintenance of cognitive skills and improve safety by helping seniors identify and respond to their environment. When fingers explore different textures, shapes, and movements, multiple areas of the brain light up with activity. This connection between touch and brain health means that simple fidgeting activities can have powerful therapeutic effects.
Beyond Dementia: Who Benefits from Fidget Tools?
While Geri-Gadgets® were originally designed for people with dementia, their benefits extend far beyond this population. Neurodiverse individuals—including those with autism or ADHD—often benefit from sensory tools that help them focus and regulate their emotions. Many people on the autism spectrum find that fidgeting helps them process information and manage sensory overload.
People experiencing anxiety or stress, regardless of age, also find comfort in fidget tools. The repetitive motions and tactile sensations can be deeply soothing during difficult moments. Anyone who fidgets habitually—tapping pens, clicking buttons, or wringing hands—may benefit from having appropriate tools that provide the sensory input they seek. Geriatric patients in various care settings, from assisted living to hospitals, can use these tools to stay engaged and reduce restlessness.
The Geri-Gadgets® Approach: A Creative Solution
What Are Geri-Gadgets®?
Geri-Gadgets® are specially designed sensory engagement tools created specifically for adults. Unlike toys made for children, these products maintain dignity while providing colorful, engaging experiences. Each product is safe, virtually indestructible, and made from high-quality, non-toxic silicone that is mouth-safe and dishwasher-safe. This means your loved one can explore the gadgets with all their senses, giving you peace of mind.
The Geri-Gadgets® collection includes three distinct product lines, each offering unique benefits. The Fidget Gidget® Bucket contains a variety of colorful silicone pieces designed for manipulation, sorting, and sensory exploration. The Shapes Bucket encourages problem-solving and creativity through different geometric forms. The Flower Bucket promotes sensory engagement and arranging skills with flower-shaped pieces. All three options can be used individually or in group settings, making them versatile for both home care and facilities.
The Story Behind the Innovation
Geri-Gadgets® were born from love and observation. Angela Fairhurst created these products while caring for her mother, who had Lewy Body dementia. Angela noticed that her mother’s hands were constantly busy—fidgeting, picking, exploring, seeking something to hold and manipulate. Rather than viewing this as problematic behavior, Angela saw it as an opportunity.
She began testing different materials and designs, carefully observing what brought her mother comfort and engagement. Through this process, Angela developed products that were not only safe and durable but also provided genuine therapeutic benefits. Each Geri-Gadget® underwent laboratory and real-world testing in care settings with seniors with dementia. This thorough development process ensures that every product truly meets the needs of its users.
How Geri-Gadgets® Improve Outcomes
Physical Benefits
Using Geri-Gadgets® provides valuable hand and arm exercise. When fingers grasp, squeeze, and manipulate the silicone pieces, they work muscles that might otherwise weaken from disuse. This gentle exercise helps maintain fine motor skills—the small, precise movements needed for daily activities. Regular use supports coordination and dexterity, helping seniors maintain independence in tasks like buttoning clothes or holding utensils.
The therapeutic benefits go beyond just keeping hands busy. The varying textures and shapes of Geri-Gadgets® challenge different muscle groups and encourage different types of movement. This variety helps prevent repetitive strain while providing comprehensive hand exercise. For people with conditions that affect motor function, these gentle activities can help slow decline and maintain abilities longer.
Cognitive Benefits
Geri-Gadgets® engage multiple senses at once—touch, sight, and sometimes sound—creating rich sensory stimulation. When the brain processes these different inputs, it activates various regions responsible for memory, attention, and problem-solving. This multi-sensory engagement helps keep cognitive pathways active. Even in later stages of dementia, sensory experiences can trigger memories and moments of recognition.
The colors, shapes, and textures of Geri-Gadgets® naturally capture attention and improve focus. Sorting pieces by color or shape provides gentle cognitive challenges that support mental function without causing frustration. Research shows that interventions combining cognitive challenges with sensory elements can improve cognitive functions in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment. By providing these benefits in an enjoyable, accessible format, Geri-Gadgets® makes cognitive stimulation feel like play rather than work.
Emotional and Social Benefits
One of the most powerful benefits of Geri-Gadgets® is their ability to reduce anxiety and agitation. When someone with dementia feels restless or anxious, having something safe to fidget with provides an outlet for that nervous energy. The soothing, repetitive motions and pleasant textures create a calming effect that helps manage stress. Many caregivers report that their loved ones become visibly more relaxed when using these tools.
Geri-Gadgets® also increases joy and a sense of accomplishment. Successfully sorting pieces, creating arrangements, or simply exploring the different textures brings satisfaction. These products foster multi-generational connections by giving grandchildren and grandparents something engaging to do together. They provide opportunities for shared experiences, even when verbal communication becomes difficult. This engagement reduces isolation and helps people with dementia stay connected to their families and communities.
Caregiver Benefits
As a caregiver, you carry an enormous responsibility. Geri-Gadgets® are designed for safe, unsupervised use, giving you moments of relief knowing your loved one is engaged. The virtually indestructible silicone construction means these products can withstand biting, mouthing, scratching, and pulling without breaking or posing a choking hazard. This durability provides true peace of mind.
Cleaning and maintenance could not be easier. Simply wipe the pieces down, wash them with soap and water, or place them in the dishwasher for thorough sanitization. This easy maintenance is especially valuable in multi-user environments like care facilities. Geri-Gadgets® also creates easier visitation experiences—bringing a bucket of these tools to a visit gives you and your loved one something meaningful to do together, making visits more enjoyable for everyone.
Geri-Gadgets® for All Stages of Dementia
One remarkable feature of Geri-Gadgets® is their usefulness throughout the entire dementia journey. In early-stage dementia, these tools provide engaging activities that support cognitive function and provide satisfying challenges. People in this stage can sort by color or shape, create patterns, or use the pieces in creative ways. The products grow with your loved one’s needs.
During mid-stage dementia, when confusion and anxiety often increase, Geri-Gadgets® offer comforting sensory stimulation that reduces agitation. The colorful pieces catch attention and provide focus during restless moments. In late-stage dementia, when many activities are no longer possible, these tools still provide sensory comfort. Simply holding the soft silicone, feeling different textures, or watching the colors can be soothing.
There is no learning curve required. Unlike puzzles that must be completed correctly or games with rules to remember, Geri-Gadgets® can be used however they bring comfort or engagement. This flexibility means they remain valuable tools throughout all stages of cognitive decline.
Safety and Quality You Can Trust
Materials and Construction
Quality matters when choosing tools for vulnerable adults. Geri-Gadgets® are made from high-quality, non-toxic silicone that meets rigorous safety standards. The silicone is completely mouth-safe, which is crucial because many people with dementia explore objects with their mouths. You never have to worry about toxic chemicals or dangerous materials.
The proper sizing of each piece has been carefully considered. The gadgets are large enough to prevent choking hazards while remaining easy to grasp and manipulate. The durability of the silicone means pieces will not break into sharp fragments that could cause injury. Easy cleaning through simple wiping, washing with soap and water, or dishwasher sanitization ensures that hygiene is never a concern.
Testing and Reliability
Before reaching your hands, every Geri-Gadget® undergoes rigorous testing. Laboratory testing confirms that materials meet safety standards and can withstand the demands of daily use. Even more importantly, real-world testing in care settings with actual seniors living with dementia ensures that these products truly deliver on their promises. This testing process validates that Geri-Gadgets® work as intended in the hands of the people who need them most.
The products are also patented, reflecting their innovative design and unique approach. This patent protection ensures you are receiving authentic Geri-Gadgets® that have been developed with care and expertise. The combination of laboratory testing, real-world validation, and patent protection means you can trust that these products will perform safely and effectively.
Real-World Impact: Making a Difference
Geri-Gadgets® create meaningful connections that bridge the multi-generational gap. Angela Fairhurst speaks passionately about how these products help grandchildren connect with grandparents who have dementia. Even when verbal communication becomes difficult, sitting together and exploring the colorful pieces creates shared moments of joy. These interactions build memories for younger family members while providing comfort to their elders.
Perhaps most beautifully, Geri-Gadgets® help create moments of joy even when recognition is absent. You do not need your loved one to remember your name to share a smile while sorting colorful shapes together. This philosophy acknowledges that quality of life and happiness can exist independently of memory. Every moment of engagement, every calm afternoon, every shared activity has value.
These products also support communication approaches like the DARE method—Don’t Argue, React, or Explain. Instead of correcting or contradicting someone with dementia, redirecting their attention to an engaging activity like Geri-Gadgets® helps diffuse difficult situations. Having these tools readily available gives caregivers a practical way to implement this compassionate approach. As Geri-Gadgets® expand their reach to more communities, more families gain access to these transformative tools.
Choosing the Right Geri-Gadgets® for Your Loved One
With three distinct bucket options available, you might wonder which is best for your situation. The Fidget Gidget® Bucket offers the most variety and is ideal for people who enjoy sorting, exploring different textures, and manipulating objects in various ways. The Shapes Bucket works wonderfully for those who enjoy geometry, patterns, and spatial challenges. The Flower Bucket appeals to people who love nature, arranging objects, and creating beauty.
Consider your loved one’s individual needs and preferences. What did they enjoy before dementia? Did they love gardening? The Flower Bucket might resonate with those memories. Were they engineers or mathematicians? The Shapes Bucket could engage that part of their identity. Do they simply need varied sensory input? The Fidget Gidget® Bucket provides maximum variety.
Multi-user options work beautifully in care facilities, day programs, or family gatherings where several people might use the products. Single-user products are perfect for home care situations. You can also start with one bucket and add others over time as you discover what brings your loved one the most joy and engagement.
Call to Action: Bring Joy and Engagement Home Today
You deserve tools that truly make a difference in your caregiving journey. Geri-Gadgets® offer proven benefits backed by real-world testing, thoughtful design, and genuine care for people with dementia and their families. These are not just products—they are investments in your loved one’s quality of life and your peace of mind.
Ready to transform your care experience? Visit Geri-Gadgets® today to explore the full collection and choose the perfect tools for your loved one. Whether you are caring for someone with dementia, supporting a neurodiverse family member, or simply seeking better ways to meet sensory needs, Geri-Gadgets® provides safe, effective, and dignified solutions.
Every moment of calm, every shared smile, every engaged afternoon matters. These small moments add up to a better quality of life for your loved one and a more rewarding experience for you as a caregiver. Take the first step toward bringing more joy and connection into your care routine. Your loved one deserves tools designed specifically for their needs, and you deserve the support that Geri-Gadgets® provides. Together, we can create more moments of peace, engagement, and genuine human connection.
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💝If you don’t see anything you need today but still want to support this work, you can buy me a cup of coffee or tea. Every bit of support helps me continue writing and sharing resources for families during difficult times. 💙
Geri-Gadgets – Washable, sensory tools that calm, focus, and connect—at any age, in any setting
📚 This site uses Amazon Associate links, which means I earn a small commission when you purchase books or products through these links—at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me keep this website running and free from advertisements, so I can continue providing helpful articles and resources at no charge.
💝If you don’t see anything you need today but still want to support this work, you can buy me a cup of coffee or tea. Every bit of support helps me continue writing and sharing resources for families during difficult times. 💙
At present, no official organization oversees end-of-life doulas (EOLDs). Remember that some EOLDs listed in directories may no longer be practicing, so it’s important to verify their current status.
End-of-Life Doula Schools
The following are end-of-life (aka death doula) schools for those interested in becoming an end-of-life doula:
Remember that there is currently no official accrediting body for end-of-life doula programs. It’s advisable to conduct discovery sessions with any doula school you’re considering—whether or not it’s listed here—to verify that it meets your needs. Also, ask questions and contact references, such as former students, to assess whether the school offered a solid foundation for launching your own death doula practice.
