GSEM Silver Award Project Catalog

Fidget Boards for Dementia

Project Details: After recognizing agitation among dementia patients, the Cadettes from Troop 4709 made fidget boards with sensory activities that engaged the nursing home residents to earn their Girl Scout Silver Award. To do this, the Girl Scouts collected a variety of fidget toys and glued them onto boards. They then delivered the fidget boards to Bethesda Dilworth Nursing Home for their residents to use. The Girl Scouts also visited the nursing home multiple times to do activities such as showing the residents how to use the fidget boards and other activities like painting, reading, and singing with the residents.

Silver Award Team: Troop 4709

Issue: When people with dementia aren’t engaged, it can lead to agitation and cognitive decline. Root Cause: Nursing homes and care centers often don’t have funding for the proper resources to help stimulate and engage those with dementia.

Target Audience: Bethesda Dilworth Nursing Home residents.

Sustainability: The Cadettes gave the fidget boards they made to the nursing home so the residents can use the boards at any time, as well as have the staff maintain them.