FTW: Fidget Blanket / Sensory Pad for Hospice Patients w/ Alzheimer's

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ORGANIZATION: Envoy Hospice

• A group opportunity. Invite your friends.
• 4 people are interested

Caregivers often have difficulty finding activities for people with dementia, and many games for Alzheimer's patients become ineffective as the disease progresses into the late stages. It is common for these patients to have restless hands, particularly if they had been accustomed to performing manual activities, such as knitting, typing or playing a musical instrument prior to the onset of Alzheimer's.

These provide an engaging, entertaining way to occupy the hands. Within each there can be things like a soft ball for squeezing and the outer is ideal tactile stimulation. Trims, such as buttons, ribbons and beads, offer additional engagement while a small bag filled with crinkle-paper offers a soft and soothing sound. Blankets also helps keep the patient’s hands warm, making it perfect in outdoor activities for Alzheimer’s patients.

A sensory pad is a lap-size mini quilt that provides sensory and tactile stimulation for the restless hands of someone with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. They are covered with embellishments and trimming. Zippers, string, pockets, snaps, buttons, and other accoutrements that invite touch are common, as are fabrics with textures ranging from silky to fuzzy. See example here but there are many more if you do a Google search: How to Make Sensory Blankets for Dementia Care (goldencarers.com)

If you would like to donate your sewing gift to our Patients, we truly would appreciate you! Volunteers are the Angels of Hospice! These matter and will make a difference in the lives of our Patients more than you know. Please contact me with more information.

Bethany Harrell
bethanyharrell@envoyhospice.com