Best Weighted Blankets for Dementia Patients

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Sleep disorders are prevalent among dementia patients. It is not unusual for them to sleep during the day and stay awake all night. Some even stay awake for 2-3 days straight and sleep excessively the following days.

Their irregular sleeping habits can become a concern for family members. Once the early symptoms begin, the whole family is compelled to rearrange their respective schedules according to the dementia patient’s needs.

This weakens their relationship with others around them. 

As an informal caregiver, you should support your loved one at all costs but do not ignore the health and well-being of yourself and others in the family. Caregiving is not easy.

With non-medical intervention techniques, it is possible to alleviate common dementia symptoms such as day-night reversal, nocturnal awakening, and wandering during the night. 

The use of weighted blankets has proved to be effective in the management of sleep disorders in dementia-affected people. It is one of the best non-medical intervention techniques for dementia.

Moreover, it also helps them deal with anxiety, loneliness, and negative thoughts during the night. In this post, I share the best weighted blankets for dementia patients. 

Jump Directly to:

1. YnM Bamboo Weighted Blanket
2. Bedsure Weighted Blanket Queen Size with Removable Cover
3. YnM Knitted Weighted Blanket
4. Luna Adult Weighted Blanket
5. Smart Queen Cooling Weighted Blanket

Buyer’s Guide

• How Does a Weighted Blanket Work?
• Do Weighted Blankets Make You Hot?
• What Is Deep Pressure or Deep Touch Pressure Therapy (DTP)?
• Does Weighted Blanket Help Relieve Anxiety in Dementia Patients?
• Can I Put a Weighted Blanket in the Washing Machine?
• How Heavy Should a Weighted Blanket Be?

Here Are The 5 Best Weighted Blankets For Dementia Patients

1. YnM Bamboo Weighted Blanket

YnM brings you an all-natural weighted blanket made from 100 percent pure bamboo viscose fabric. This blanket will suit those who prefer environmentally sustainable items over synthetic ones. 

This bamboo weighted blanket will keep your loved one cool, calm, and comfortable throughout the night. Bamboo fabrics are known for high breathability. And they are easy to clean.

Pros

• Highly breathable 
• Easy to clean
• Feels soft against the skin

Cons

• In the images, the product may be darker than it is
• May form lumps after 1-2 years of use

2. Bedsure Weighted Blanket Queen Size with Removable Cover

This blanket from Bedsure comes with a machine-washable removable cover. You do not have to risk breaking your back by hand washing the heavy blanket. 

Also, during summers your loved one can use just the cover for emotional support. The cover has cooling properties.

The glass beads are evenly distributed throughout the blanket in square pockets. Weighted blankets from Bedsure do not form lumps. 

Plus, the beads are high quality and do not make noise. 

Pros

• Noise-free and lump-free
• Comes with a removable cover 
• Soft texture 

Cons

• The product color might look different under different lighting conditions 

3. YnM Knitted Weighted Blanket

YnM brings you one of the best handmade weighted blankets for dementia patients. This blanket is suited for those who do not like the feeling of glass bead weight on their bodies. 

The diameter of the chunky yarn is what determines the weight of this blanket. In addition, the density of the knots also adds to the weight. It is a 100 percent natural way to decompress at the end of a stressful day. 

Pros

• No glass beads 
• Weight is evenly distributed 
• Long-lasting 
• No pressure points

Cons

• Gets hot at night during summers
• Stiff material

4. Luna Adult Weighted Blanket

Luna is a popular weighted blanket manufacturer from New York. Publications like the new york times, men’s journal, business insider, and women’s health recommend Luna adult weighted blankets. 

The seven-layered design facilitates even distribution of weight throughout the blanket. Furthermore, it is coated with soft and breathable cotton fabric. Also, this oeko tex certified blanket does not get super hot during summers.  

Pros

• Excellent temperature control
• 100 percent pure cotton
• Oeko tex certification
• Minky cover on both sides

Cons

• Not enough heating for hot-sleepers
• The blanket does not stay in place when used with a duvet cover

5. Smart Queen Cooling Weighted Blanket

Smart Queen weighted blanket is designed to reduce tossing and turning during sleep. With the weight of this blanket, dementia patients will fall asleep faster. Make sure you pick a blanket weighing 7-12 percent of the user’s body weight.

This blanket does have glass beads, but the 7-layer structure prevents them from leaking out. Caregivers can rest easy as they don’t have to worry about cleaning up a bed full of filler material.

Furthermore, the manufacturer ensures that your money will be refunded if you do not find this product satisfactory. It is recommended that you use this blanket for 10-12 days before judging its effectiveness.

Pros

• Easy refund, if not satisfied 
• No leakage 
• Easy to clean
• Excellent customer service

Cons

• Might take some getting used to

Buyer’s Guide

How does a weighted blanket work?

A regular blanket offers protection from cold weather, shields you from insects, and provides general comfort. But pulling over a blanket weighing 10-20 percent of your body weight can offer much more than that. 

Did you know that weighted blankets can calm down kids with autism or behavioral disturbances? Have a look at this report by Dr. Cristina Cusin from Harvard Medical School. 

These blankets can help people with dementia alleviate anxiety and worry, especially at bedtime. The concept is quite simple. The additional weight feels like a hug from a loved one. This leads to the cessation of anxious thoughts. 

Do weighted blankets make you hot?

The short answer is, weighted blankets made from synthetic fibers have the potential to make you hot during summers. The ones made from polyester, acrylic, nylon, or rayon can make you hot. 

Also, note that a good quality weighted blanket comes with a washable external cover. The cover protects you from heat flashes during summers. Therefore, always go for a weighted blanket made with pure cotton. 

On some occasions, even a pure cotton weighted blanket can make an elderly person hot. Caregivers must keep an eye on patients’ comfort levels — in the middle of the night. 

If the heating problems persist you can always take the weighted blanket off once the patient is deep asleep. The temperature of the room also plays a key role in deciding the comfort levels of the patient.

What is deep pressure or deep touch pressure therapy (DTP)?

Deep Touch Pressure Therapy is popular among occupational therapists who deal with autistic children. Autistic children suffer from crippling anxiety. DTP is a non‐pharmacological therapy (NPT) for patients with Autistic Disorder.

Tactile sensory input applied via engagement in activities such as hugging, holding hands and cuddling has been immensely helpful. 

Caregivers in nursing homes often practice Deep Touch Pressure Therapy. It is a common occurrence for nursing home caregivers to encounter patients with severe anxiety disorders. 

Does weighted blanket help relieve anxiety in dementia patients?

Studies suggest that weighted blankets reduce anxiety and depression in Dementia patients. Weighted blankets have gained immense popularity in North America and some of the Scandinavian nations. 

Recently, Mio Nakamura and Nodoka Yamauchi— Japanese sleep scientists — did a study to find the efficacy of weighted blankets. 

An 80-year-old Japanese woman with Alzheimer’s disease was the prime participant in this study. She was a resident of a nursing home for the elderly. 

She showed typical dementia symptoms such as nocturnal awakening, wandering, and odd eating behaviors. The whole point of the study was to see if five months of weighted blanket usage would bring any improvement in her symptoms. 

After five months of sleeping with weighted blankets, she was able to sleep 0.9 hours more than she did before. In addition, her nocturnal awakening decreased from 13 times per month to just 7 times per month. The study was a huge success. 

Can I put a weighted blanket in the washing machine?

Weighted blankets under 10 pounds can be washed (at home) in a washing machine. 

Before tossing your weighted blanket in a washing machine make sure to soak it in some warm water with detergent added. A large bucket or a bathtub would suffice for soaking.

On the other hand, weighted blankets heavier than 10 pounds need a commercial washing machine. Take the weighted blanket to the nearest laundromat. 

Depending on where you stay it shouldn’t cost you more than $5 for a single wash. The good thing about the laundromat is they have rolling carts to help you move the blanket within the store.  

How heavy should a weighted blanket be?

Weighted blankets come in a wide weight range. One must choose a weighted blanket keeping the user in mind. 

Sleeping under a heavier blanket can lead to several health problems, especially in the case of the elderly with respiratory conditions such as asthma or bronchitis.

Ideally, you should go for a blanket weighing 8-10 percent of the user’s body weight. You can add a pound or two to the equation based on the user’s preference. 

Caregivers who are unsure about the dementia patient’s preferences can go for a lighter-weight blanket.

Summary 

It’s not strange for dementia patients to feel isolated and lonely at night. Patients who do not have a partner/spouse/companion by their side experience these emotions quite often. 

Several dementia-affected folks spend their lives in nursing homes. Which we know can seldom be a cold, unsympathetic, and compassionless place.

Sleeping under a weighted blanket feels a lot like a hug from a loved one. It expunges the feelings of loneliness and subsequently helps the user sleep peacefully. 

Of the products discussed above, I would pick Luna adult weighted blanket over the others. It is 100 percent oeko-tex certified. And comes in several sizes, weights, and colors.

You were reading the review of the best weighted blankets for dementia patients. Do you have any questions? Comment below and let me know