Sensory for Seniors

Want to learn how to make a sensory mat? Follow this easy, step by step guide to create your own! Step One: Choosing a Fabric Any fabric can be used for sensory mats, they're super customizable! Solid, patterned, and textured fabric are all great choices for this type of project. You can use the same fabric for the whole mat, or mix and match different patterns and material. Step Two: Cutting the Materials Now that your fabric is chosen, cut two squares of fabric out to the size you desire. Size is customizable, the mats featured in this tutorial are 12 by 12 inches, which is the smallest I would recommend. You can definitely go larger than this, even turn it into a lap blanket! To make sure your fabric doesn't have any wrinkles, iron the fabric squares before continuing. Step Three: Sewing the Mats Place one fabric square face up on a table, then place the second square face down. The "right side" (or side that will be visible) should not be showi...

  What is Sensory for Seniors? Sensory for Seniors is a community project that makes and provides sensory (or “activity”) mats to local seniors suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. These mats have been shown to lift spirits, relieve caregivers, stimulate the senses and memory, as well as exercising the fingers and hands.     How Do Sensory Mats Help? Sensory mats help four inter-related factors:          -behavioral competence          -psychological well-being          -perceived quality of life          -objective environment In a study published by the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, caregivers reported a decrease in a psychological discomfort levels in subjects with advanced stages of Alzheimer’s who had bee...