2023-06-22 14:39:37
Students were able to hone their sewing skills by designing therapeutic blankets that provide sensory and tactile stimulation to the restless hands of people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
The covers have different elements such as pockets, buttons or zippers. They are intended to alleviate boredom by keeping the patient’s hands occupied while producing a calming effect.
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We just donated it to local hospital services. We’ve donated 34 covers and there’s a waiting list, they want more,” says Elaine Chatwood, a professor in St. Clair’s College fashion program.
The blankets are adorned with all sorts of materials to energize the patients.
Photo : CBC/Jacob Barker
Quilts are made from recycled material. The project therefore follows the principle of circular fashion, explains Professor Chatwood.
St. Clair College has long supported Windsor Regional Hospital by creating and donating items such as pajamas for children, hospital gowns for patients and hundreds of cloth masks used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A tool recognized by experts
According to Renée Biss, a psychology professor at the University of Windsor, blankets provide people with dementia with cognitive, social or physical stimulation.
People with dementia or Alzheimer’s see their cognitive abilities gradually diminish and it is therefore important to continue to stimulate them, explains the professor.
The students only used recycled materials.
Photo : CBC/Jacob Barker
Blankets can be beneficial, says Ms. Biss, but she notes that the miracle tool to counter dementia problems does not exist and that the level of effectiveness of blankets cannot be guaranteed, since it depends on each person.
There are people who will like this tool and others who will not like it, but anything that boosts their cognitive function will be beneficial, she says.
With information from CBC and Cyrielle Delmas
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