Alzheimer fidget mats
 

Sensory mats/cushions seem to be the recent rage for Alzheimer patients. If you have made any - could you please share? Our guild is having a work day to do these and I would love to see what others have done. Even those of you who are care givers - what are your thoughts? Thanks in advance

You can do a google search on 'fidget blankets'. Lots of images come up. I would also look at 'taggie blankets'. These are for kids, but many have the same idea: minky, satin, etc. Thanks for doing this!

I made one for my brother early enough for him to get attached to it before he needs it. He does love it. My inspiration came from the nesteldecken posted here on QB. I don't remember the poster's name, but she showed several good ones. I added a picture of mine in her post.

Here is a link to the post I mentioned.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t234764.html

Thanks PaperPrincess for the idea. I have never heard of taggie blankets (I guess I need to ask where have I been - lol - but alas I have no babies to play with at the moment!!). Looks like the same sort of project but not as involved with buttons and zippers.

Actually I did start with google but thought that I would also post here to see what others have done. The lady who came to speak to the guild wanted to make sure that they were made from washable items. I have a cheap source of 4" zippers and buttons locally but am thinking about lace, satin ribbons etc and other items that I need to scrounge up to add some more tactile items.

I was actually thinking about resurrecting the old Vogue Zoo Book pattern which I still have for some ideas (it by now is not complete but I doubt I need the actual pattern to effectively do the ideas) - but wondering out loud here if it is necessary to have a "theme" for the mat or would disjointed items be as effective.

You are a dear - that was what I was looking for. I also went through and saw yours - what a wonderful thing to have done for your brother.

Our guild made these a few years ago. I put a zipper with a large ring pull. Added a pocket out of silky fabric. Made some layered fleece flowers and stitched them in the center. I think the feel of different fabrics is important. Sewed rickrack down the center. The idea is the patients "fidget" with the quilt so you want lots of things to touch. Ours were about 20" square. Think I made it from flannel with fleece on the other side. Don't remember whether I put batting in. Easy & fun to make. Anything goes as long as the items are securely sewn down.

As a former care giver I can say that this is a great idea. I think it would be a good idea to think about different interests to focus on for the quilt. With my dad, things needed to be mechanical to hold his attention. A zipper would work but buttons would never catch his eye. He also could not stand something that was not straight with the world so if I were to make something for him I would figure out a way to put something a little off kilter so he could try to straighten it.

Something else to keep in mind is that they also often see things that are very dark as holes. I would often need to be creative in ways to cover up holes. Like a rug in front of his chair to make a bridge for him to walk on or roll his wheelchair over. I did make him a place mat with the plate in the middle and could put finger food on the plate for his snacks.

I could keep him busy for hours with a butter tub with old nuts and bolts to sort or mixed beans to sort. He also loved keys so I gave him old keys to add to a key chain.

Other suggestions would be to add an adding machine shape with numbers, a clock face, perhaps some simple tool shapes, work gloves, puzzle shapes, a shoe with shoe strings to tie, snaps (big ones to snap together), pockets to stick things in (or find something) or a TV remote shape.

The thing to remember is that even if the loved one gets bored with this in a little while it will be all new to them again and again. I want to personally say THANK YOU to your group for thinking to do this and caring.

Here is one I made with chenille fabric in some of the squares. A doily stitched part way down, some buttons and beads etc. [ATTACH=CONFIG]475862[/ATTACH]
This picture was taken before the backing was added. The care home requested elastic straps to stretch the topper over the end of a table.

I really like what you included - What did you string the beads on?

this is lovely... i like the elastic idea