Since ladies like their handbags, I was asked to make some ‘twiddle handbags’, similar to the Twiddlemuffs for the Dementia patients at our local hospital.
I have since designed a FREE PATTERN
AKA Fidget /Rummage bags for dementia / sensory impaired.

#1 originally began as a Twiddlemuff, which I reworked it into a twiddle bag instead, before spending some time designing my own bag pattern.

I have also started making Twiddle Pouches for men. First one like a pencil case, but I realise I could improve on the shape. I have ribbons; labels, beads on long braid; rawlplug and toggle; length of measuring tape with curtain ring; zip.
I realise that adding a sealed bag containing marbles, like a pocket of change would need to be removable for washing so that the marbles did not get broken in the washing machine.

I haven’t lined any of my bags, however.
Great pocket insertion tutorial HERE Feeling the soft pocket from inside bag creates added bonus for stress leaving comfort.

I started out with 45 sts using 2 strands DK 14” folded in half, making it approx 7” deep and wide.

Decided preferred size (when folded 9”× 8.5”) should be 64 sts using 2 strands DK or one strand chunky, folded in half, with pocket half way along one side and 2.5” from cast-on edge. ICord handle of 5sts with 5mm dpns in Aran that’s 11 -12” long.

I ALSO ADD STRIP OF COTTON TAPE FOR WRITING THEIR NAME, INSIDE.

I add similar twiddle muff embellishments such as a curtain ring on a length of tape; a pom pom on a length of icord; I knitted a little ‘wallet’ with clothing labels sewn inside; beads and some pearl beading, plus a toggle clasp; some braid to twiddle with and a fluffy, elasticated hair band.
Some great embellishment ideas here too.

UK study ‘Dementia and Dress’, shows how handbags are significant to supporting the identities of women with dementia as ‘biographical’ and ‘memory’ objects, both in terms of the bags themselves, and the objects they contain. This is particularly so during the transition to care homes, where previous aspects of identity and social roles may be lost. Handbags are also significant to making personal or private space within care settings. As an aspect of dress, handbags have been described as an ‘extension of the self’. Themed pouches and bags are also well received relating to a person’s interests.

Designed to promote purposeful activity, achieve functional outcomes which promote health, prevent injury or disability and which develop, improve/ sustain /restore the highest possible feeling/level of independence. The bags also help to distract patients from pulling out catheters etc.

I’ve had a decade of personal experience with dementia sufferers and both Mum and Dad had Alzheimer’s. When Mum was in hospital, I copied her ID cards (e.g. bus pass and disability parking permit) and laminated them so she would think she still had them and wrote on the bottom:This is not the original and she was content to see them in her bag, but the originals were kept safe with me at home or returned to the appropriate authorities. I also put a different key on her key-ring, so that her home would be safe, too.
So other items to be used in rummage/ fidget bags include inside a set of unused keys on a key-ring that you no longer want and are happy to donate, a plain wallet or purse.

Twiddle bag #2 in beige made from Aldi polyester knitting yarn (scarf kit.) I used 7mm needles instead of recommended 8mm and cast on 25 sts.

Using Aran weight yarn for Twiddlebag #3 made it considerably floppier, so I will return to chunky weight in future.

Well explained tutorial for putting in zip here
Made some CROCHET pouches as well