The Ultimate Sensory Blanket

The new year has something very exciting in store for all of us: we get to follow along as a medical professional develops the ultimate Sensory Blanket for Seniors with memory problems - using FabMo materials.

On this journey, we will learn so much more than sewing instructions: we’ll have a clinical psychologist share with us what works in constructing this Sensory Blanket and what doesn’t, which features of the blanket the patients enjoy, and get feedback from the caregivers at a Senior care center where our guest blogger, Cheryl Hankin, will test her designs. We’ll learn how to make sure the Sensory Blanket is safe and fun, how to integrate features that stimulate different senses and how to make the blanket with materials that you can mostly find at FabMo or otherwise buy cheaply.

But enough from me, here is Cheryl introducing herself and her project!

Meet Cheryl!

I am a newly retired medical researcher and have a doctoral degree in clinical psychology with specialized training in geriatrics and “health services research” (more about this term in a later blog).

Some of us have more linear career paths than others. Mine has been particularly roundabout! In my earlier years, I was a classical musician and a stay-at-home mother. I subsequently joined the workforce and ultimately achieved the position of corporate accountant in the Silicon Valley hi-tech industry.  I felt at odds with my professional self during these years, as I tried to simultaneously express my creative, quantitative, interpersonal and analytical skills. I took a 2-year sabbatical, during which time I contemplated my professional future and built and sold doll houses. I ultimately attended graduate school to become a clinical and research psychologist, and worked in this very satisfying field for more than 25 years.

I continue to embroider, crochet, quilt, and teach drawing. I am a jury-awarded textile artist and Iove and hoard textiles - which is where FabMo comes in. 

Although mine certainly hasn’t been a straight career path, in my new-found retirement, and thanks to my association with FabMo as a volunteer, I once again get the opportunity to blend my skills and passions. I have the additional honor of sharing these with you, as I describe my failures and successes in creating Sensory Blankets for Seniors with memory deficits (such as those from Alzheimer’s or post-stroke dementia).

Sensory Blankets 101

Sensory Blankets consist of materials of various shapes, textures, sounds, and smells to activate the senses. They may soothe anxiety, enhance focus, rekindle awareness or reduce boredom. They have been used as aides for children with attention-deficit disorders, those with autism, and more recently, for patients with cognitive deficits. These devices are known by many names, including Fidget Blankets and Activity Boards.  And as their many names imply, they may be mounted as pillows, quilts, blankets, muffs, or wooden boards.

Some of the materials Cheryl collected at FabMo so far and will use for her sensory blankets. She is looking for different colors, textures and materials.

I will be using materials found at FabMo. I may include a few bits and pieces from my own stash of hoarded goods.  I feel especially fortunate that the director of a local memory care center for Seniors has agreed to let me work with her to try out these efforts.  In my next blog, I will review some historical background and interesting research about the use of Sensory Blankets for Seniors with cognitive deficits. We will consider how to evaluate “successes” and “failures” of these efforts, some of the most popular sensory tools commonly included, types of configurations (pillows, quilts, boards, blankets, muffs), foundation materials that can safely withstand repeated use and be cleaned easily as well as methods of attaching sensory tools to these foundations, and individualized preferences. 

My Stash and Ideas so Far

I have lots of zippers, buttons, shoe laces, grommets, key chains, and old keys.  I also saved old jeans so that I can attach pockets. I will also make and sew on pockets with buttons and safely hide and attach  “surprises” inside. For example, I may try to use gauzy fabrics to encase lavender, dried mint, pieces of cinnamon stick, or nutmeg to stimulate olfactory senses. The sense of smell is one of our most basic - often called “primitive” - senses located in the core parts of our brains. There are some things to be particularly careful about when using these materials: allergies and risk of eating or choking.  Safety, of course, is first and foremost.  

This is where working directly with the director of a Senior clinic will be helpful.  I can get her feedback and also watch how items may be used safely or may present unanticipated hazards.

More materials with vinyl backings. It is important to find backing that can be wiped clean.

I look forward to sharing this process with you and hope to inspire some of you to make a Sensory Blanket for someone who may benefit .

If you have questions, suggestions or comments, please submit these in the comments section. It might take a few days for me to get back to you, but I will try to address each one.