People with dementia, or in hospice with dementia, spend many hours sitting or lying down. They may be bored, anxious, unable to interpret their environment accurately or unable to recognize family members.

Treatment of dementia, or those experiencing end-of-life transition, can benefit from sensory interventions as one alternative to reduce agitation. 

The women of PebbleCreek Quilters decided to create sensory mats for those in need at Hospice of the Valley.

One group of quilters assembled the basic quilts using a variety of colors suitable for men and women.

Other members embellished the mats with all kinds of household items, such as empty thread spools, zippers, ribbons, buttons, lace, fringe, Velcro and even bells. Anything a person could feel, move and listen to was added.

The group completed nearly 40 fidget blankets.

“Sensory mats are designed to reduce the agitation that people with dementia experience and to provide a sense of calm,” said Patsy Wagner, the groupls community service lead. “They are a colorful mat with everyday items sewn on to them such as zippers, bells, ribbons, pockets, and beads for the patient to interact with and have been such an exciting project for us to work on.”

PebbleCreek is a master-planned 55-plus Robson Resort community in Goodyear.