Fidget Blankets an EXCELLENT tool for Alzheimer’s Patients and their Caregivers

People with Alzheimer’s disease who fidget need an opportunity to use their hands and stimulate their senses. Activity tools, such as activity quilts (also called fidget blankets or fidget quilts), vests or aprons, promote this type of sensory stimulation. These articles provide a source of sensory stimulation within easy reach and in a familiar form. They’re simple, low-tech tools specifically designed to help keep hands busy with familiar activities and sensations. For this reason, many day and residential centers now offer activity quilts to people with dementia. Although you can find some to purchase online, most of these creations are handmade by volunteers.

The activities on these tools are as diverse as the imagination of the maker and they vary widely in appearance and design. They usually include objects that allow the user to take open-and–close actions, such as zippers, large buttons and Velcro. These fasteners may lead to a pocket that holds a small item, like a stuffed heart or small bear attached to the quilt by a short ribbon. Other activities may include shoelaces for tying and ribbons for braiding, and there may be patches of different fabrics with contrasting colors and varying textures, such as velvet, corduroy, cotton and canvas.

Activity aprons and vests are designed to be worn over clothing and allow the wearers to have the tool with them all the time. They’re particularly useful for people who get up and move around, and who may become upset or agitated if they can’t find their activity tool. Aprons and vests can be designed to suit the wearer’s past interests, too. For example, someone who was a carpenter may enjoy wearing a carpenter’s apron that has many pockets in addition to the added objects, while someone who enjoyed sewing would appreciate the familiar sensations of a pin cushion, zippers, and empty spools.

Activity quilts are handy for people who use wheelchairs or who may confined to bed. They’re smaller than bed quilts; an average size is about 35 by 35 inches. Ribbons attached to the quilts allow you to tie them to wheelchair arm rests or bed rails, to keep them from falling on the floor. An advantage to activity quilts is the user can also fold and unfold them if they feel the need.