How Can Squishies Help People with Dementia and Alzheimer’s?
Living with dementia or Alzheimer’s can be deeply disorienting — for the person experiencing it and for the people who love them. At Squisharoo, we believe that comfort can come in the simplest of forms: something soft to hold, something familiar to squeeze, something soothing to fidget with.
That’s where our squishies come in.
🧠 Why squishies?
Squishies aren’t just toys. They're sensory tools that can help ground someone in the present moment through texture, movement, and repetition.
For people with dementia or Alzheimer’s, here’s how squishies can help:
1. Reduce agitation and restlessness
Many people with dementia experience fidgeting, pacing, or repetitive behaviours. A squishy gives their hands something safe and satisfying to do — helping to reduce frustration or self-harm (like skin picking or rubbing).
2. Soothe anxiety and improve mood
Sensory input like gentle squeezing or bead movement can activate calming pathways in the brain. It’s a form of tactile stimulation that says: "You're here. You're safe."
3. Stimulate memory through touch
Soft textures, familiar shapes (like animals or hearts), and repetitive actions can trigger positive associations or memories — especially when visual or verbal memory is declining.
4. Support motor skills
Even in later stages, squeezing, rolling, or pressing a squishy can help maintain grip strength and fine motor control in the hands and fingers.
5. Offer dignity and independence
Unlike clinical tools, squishies are joyful, beautiful, and fun. They don’t feel like “therapy” — they feel like something chosen. That matters.
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💙 A personal touch
Every Squisharoo is made with extra care: skin-soft silicone, calming textures, and double-layer bead designs that invite gentle interaction. Some customers tell us their loved one keeps it close all day — in a pocket, on a nightstand, or in their lap.
We’ve even heard from families who say their mom, dad, or gran became calmer and more responsive after receiving a Squisharoo. That’s what we’re here for.
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✨ Squisharoo is more than a fidget. It's a comfort tool.
If you know someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s, consider gifting them a sensory squishy. It might be a small thing — but sometimes, the smallest things offer the biggest comfort.
Jeanri -Founder of Squisharoo 💙
