How do I stop her from unfastening the seatbelt

[Nerdles]

My DM will not keep her seatbelt fastened! She has dementia and does not seem to understand how unsafe it is.

I give her lot of support in terms of taking her to appointments, shopping and days out but if I don’t find a way to keep her from unfastening the seatbelt all of this will have to stop.

Does anything exist that would help with this?

Giant versions of scratch mittens?
Only half joking.

Do you know why she does it (apart from dementia I mean)? Uncomfortable? Eager to arrive?

You could try giving her fidget items to hold and fiddle with for the journey.

Or try something like this - https://incarsafetycentre.co.uk/products/buckleguard-seat-buckle-cover

But the thing is these are designed for toddlers so an adult with adult sized hands and adult strength grip might not be deterred...

These seatbelt covers work for my son and my partner uses them in his work with disabled adults

I think there are devices to prevent this- like the Houdini things you get for kids but but for adults

Brilliant ideas. Thank you!

I’m not sure at all why she does it. It’s quite a new thing.

She will be able to remember when she was a young woman and seat belts were optional. So in her mind she can just undo the seat belt and all will be okay

Distraction with a fiddle thing and a sleeve that pulls down over the fastening May help

If she can safely hold a drink maybe that would help?

My DM was a menace for doing this!! I gave her a soft toy cat and asked her to hold it for me while we drove and make sure it didn’t get loose in the car.