KYM Gardener and Shannon Windle have turned their grieving period into an opportunity to ease suffering for dementia sufferers around the Redlands.
After the death of their mother Maureen, who had suffered from dementia for 11 years, Ms Gardener and Ms Windle began to gather donations and volunteers to make busy blankets and distribute them to nursing homes around the Redlands.
A simple piece of fabric with buttons, zippers, ribbons and other tactile materials attached, the blanket can help to soothe agitated dementia patients.
“For the last part of mum’s journey, the busy blanket was a comfort to her,” Ms Gardener said.
She said that dementia sufferers were often frustrated and anxious, but did not have an outlet to express these emotions, and as a result would sometimes become violent.
“People with dementia can become frustrated and can't always express it, so they need something to fidget with,” she said.
“The blanket can also provide stimulation and help to prevent boredom in people with dementia.”
Ms Gardener added that the pre-made blankets available online were often expensive.
“We wanted nursing homes around Queensland to receive these busy blankets so we can help give back to the community,” she said.
“We’ve had a really good response so far, but we need to keep donations rolling in.”
Ms Gardener and Ms Windle are calling for donations of materials, such as fabric, buttons, zippers and ribbons, as well as volunteers with basic sewing skills to assemble the blankets.
For more information, including materials needed, donation points and how to volunteer, visit facebook.com/dementiayesterdaytodaytomorrow/.
