Rae - bless your heart; thank you so much for your contribution to the nursing homes.
I'd like to add that we did some aprons like with different things on them for the local nursing home.. They loved the feel of satin type fabric and would rub it all day long - so anything that would feel good to the hands works wonders. By having a corner of it attached to the apron, none will get lost.
Have you see some of them will keep hankies and just keep moving them around in their hands.