The Fidget Widget Toolkit

Abstract

Trademark and Patent belongs jointly to UCLan and Alzheimer's Society
The Toolkit and 5 tools have been licensed to Active Minds.

The final design outcome of this research project is The Fidget WidgetTM Toolkit, which is a unique collection of 5 tactile tools that accommodate individual repetitive movements and is aimed at improving the wellbeing for people living with mid to late stages of dementia.
It has been recognised that people with dementia often fidget and that fidgeting may alleviate a need or actually be the need itself. No research has been conducted in designing interventions for single repetitive movements, so over the past 10 years, research has been conducted in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Society into designing for people living with mid to late stages of dementia. Funding from Alzheimer’s Society and UCLan have allowed the iterative design development of the Toolkit and testing in the field.
This is a new and innovative approach that has not been tested in dementia care and its value in terms of wellbeing has been indicated through testing Toolkits in the person’s own residence and in small group settings. Qualitative and quantitative methods recorded that the participants had an increase in wellbeing with many positive connections noted, including supporting soothing and comforting experiences.
The Fidget WidgetTM name has been trademarked and 5 tools have been patented and licensed to Active Minds, who sell activities to improve the quality of life for people with dementia. It is hoped that sales of the Toolkit for use in care homes, hospitals and people’s own homes, in the UK (and worldwide), will support people living with dementia and their carers to experience some positive connections.
The Toolkit is not limited to people with dementia, there are potential benefits for others who ‘need’ to fidget or are agitated, as the interactive qualities could equally engage those who are immobile, the elderly, people living with attention deficit disorders or those that are in stressful situations.