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.
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. Cottonblue Weighted Lap Blanket (7 lbs)
Sometimes, comfort comes in small packages — and this weighted lap blanket is one of them. Designed to feel like a gentle hug, it adds a calming weight that helps soothe restlessness and anxiety, especially helpful for those living with dementia.
The size is just right — about 29 x 24 inches — so it rests neatly over your lap or shoulders without feeling bulky. Whether relaxing on the couch, meditating, or taking a short nap, it brings a deep sense of relaxation and calm.
The texture is lovely. Soft crystal velvet on both sides feels silky and warm to the touch — cozy but never heavy. The weight is evenly distributed thanks to fine glass beads tucked safely inside small stitched pockets, so there’s no bunching or shifting.
This blanket is also travel-friendly. Just roll it up, pop it in a bag, and it’s ready to go — perfect for visits, road trips, or even long waits at the doctor’s office. It’s a small way to help your loved one feel grounded wherever they are.
Pros
- Soft, cozy velvet fabric
- Evenly distributed weight (no clumping)
- Portable and easy to carry
Cons
- Too small to cover the whole body
- Not machine-washable in all settings
- May feel heavy for very frail seniors
3. L’AGRATY Weighted Blanket for Adults with Dementia
If sleep has been restless or anxiety feels hard to calm, this weighted blanket from L’AGRATY can help bring comfort and stillness. It’s designed especially for adults — including those living with dementia — who may benefit from that “hug-like” pressure that eases the body and mind.
The soft microfiber fabric feels smooth against the skin, cozy yet breathable. It doesn’t trap heat like some heavy blankets do — instead, it keeps things cool in summer and comfortably warm in winter. Perfect for year-round use.
Inside, the blanket is filled with tiny, hypoallergenic glass beads that stay evenly spread thanks to the brand’s smart stitching design. No annoying clumps or lopsided weight here — just consistent, gentle pressure across the whole body.
It’s sized just right to wrap around one person without hanging off the bed. That’s important, because the calming effect comes from the weight being focused on the body — not spread thin across the mattress.
Using it while reading, napping, or watching TV can feel surprisingly soothing. It’s not bulky, and once the body gets used to the weight (usually within a few nights), it becomes a comforting part of any bedtime routine.
Care is simple — a quick hand wash and hang dry keeps it fresh. It also makes a thoughtful gift for anyone who could use a little more calm and comfort in their life.
Pros
- Soft, breathable fabric that feels gentle on sensitive skin
- Evenly distributed weight thanks to precise stitching
- Calming pressure that helps reduce restlessness and anxiety
Cons
- Hand wash only — not machine-friendly
- Takes a few nights to adjust to the weight
- May be too small if expecting a full-bed fit
4. Wemore Weighted Lap Blanket
This weighted lap blanket feels like a gentle hug that melts stress away. The plush velvet cover is soft and comforting — perfect for moments when restlessness or anxiety start to creep in.
The evenly distributed glass beads give just the right amount of weight, helping you or your loved one feel calm and grounded. It’s especially nice for those with dementia who find comfort in steady, familiar sensations.
Light enough to carry anywhere, this 7-pound blanket fits easily in a bag for car rides, doctor visits, or quiet afternoons at home. It’s small but mighty — offering warmth, relaxation, and focus wherever you are.
And the best part? It’s easy to care for. Just toss it in the wash on cold and tumble dry low — no special treatment needed. Simple comfort that fits everyday life.
Pros
- Soft, double-sided velvet feels cozy and soothing
- Perfect size and weight for travel or lap use
- Helps calm restlessness and improve focus
Cons
- Too small to use as a full blanket
- May feel heavy for very frail seniors
- Limited color options
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.
Out of all the blankets, I would pick the Wemore Weighted Lap Blanket because it offers just the right mix of comfort, calm, and convenience — like a warm, steady hand to hold during restless moments.
You were reading the review of the best weighted blankets for dementia patients. Do you have any questions? Comment below and let me know
