Weyburn resident Loretta Knibbs is hoping she can find people who enjoy sewing and craft-making to help her out, as she has put together some activity mats for the Alzheimer’s patients at Tatagwa View long-term care centre.
She is asking for assistance, as she will be unable to make any more, but she would really like to see other residents in the long-term care centre receive the mats.
The activity mats are designed to safely stimulate and soothe people with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other conditions such as dementia, autism, ADD, head trauma or stroke patients.
Every mat is different, and can be individually customized for each resident.
The mats can include zippers, buttons, strings of beads and ells, objects to squeeze or stretch, yarn or braiding ribbons, which all provide tactile stimulation and exercise for arms, hands and fingers.
There can also be small stuffed animals, furry pockets and yarn bundles that can provide soothing relief for sore hands or agitation, and there can be squeakers and light-up items, a vinyl pocket for photos or memory notes, and use of familiar objects such as button closures.
The mats help provide relief to caregivers as they help to calm and entertain the patients, and can be supplied to nursing homes, adult day programs and families caring for persons with dementia, traumatic brain injury or related cognitive impairments.
The mat size is designed for use in a wheelchair, as an apron, or as a mat on a tabletop.
Equipment which can be used to make the mats include a sewing machine with straight and zigzag stitches, bobbins and appropriate feet. A serger would be helpful, but is not necessary to make the mats.
Other basic tools include scissors, a seam ripper, chalk or other removable market, hand-sewing needle and thread.
Knibbs is able to provide a full printout of instructions and suggestions for making and customizing the mats, including the size of the mat and what sort of materials can be used.
Anyone interested in making one or more of these mats can reach Knibbs by email at dl.knibbs@sasktel.net, or by phone at 306-842-4887.
