it is more likely to be what we who have dealt with this --its called myoclonous. there are topics here discussing it in length if you do a search. many of us have spouses who exhibit this symptom. but i will say that it can also show up unexpectedly when infection or fever is present. their immune systems can have short circuiting at some point and I can tell when my DH usually has signs of uti as he begins the rapid short hand /body shakes that escalate as fever or infection sets in. maybe wouldnt hurt to get an azzo strip from otc pharmacy and check her urine just to have an idea - it would tell you if bacteria is present, and then you can get her to the dr= if not it may be myoclonous setting in. not much to do for it unless its affecting her quality of day to day. all else call and ask her dr to see her.-
Maybe I am not saying this correctly. If I ask her to make a fist so that I can put her hand thru her blouse as I dress her. Her hand will shake or more like her arm has no control to hold her hand in a fist. The signals not only go to her hand to make the fist but the signal get sent to her arms and her arms pules and moves wildly. The net result is it does not help to have her make a fist for trying to put her hand in her clothes.
Moorsb--sounds more like tremors run amok. My DH has those and when he's late with morning meds can't even get a glass of water to his mouth with both hands. There are meds to help. Also, in your description of making fist to go in sleeve; try reaching your hand throught the sleeve and gently but firmly wrap your hand around hers and pull sleeve over her hand and on to her arm. I've found sometimes guiding the action without asking for action on his part works better.
Talk to the Dr. Even if meds don't knock the tremors out, they can bring them into submission. When they'reactingup DHgets really frustrated but even though we can't shut them off,we are managing them pretty well. When they're bad, the less demand on his muscles the less tremor.
We are using Propranolol--off label and Primidone (a generic). Another we tried was Artane.