When Nancy Watterson’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she discovered that one of the few comforts her mother enjoyed was touching the various fabrics of a small lap quilt. When her mother passed away in May of 2012, Nancy, an avid seamstress and quilter, dedicated herself to making 100 small quilts to be donated to other patients. She named her creations “fidget” quilts because of the various tactile fabrics and embellishments used which provide a sensory experience for the recipient.
The Sun Lakes Memory Club honored Nancy on November 21 for reaching that goal earlier this year.
The group was founded in 2010 by residents Shirley Almeida, Mary Ann Strycula and Joannie Sackett, whose husbands had Alzheimer’s and dementia. “We were travelling all over to be trained to take care of our husbands’, says Almeida. “We decided to start our own group and have medical and county agencies come to us.” Their husbands have now passed away, but the ladies continue the group to help others and work with outside organizations dedicated to finding a cure.
The club holds monthly educational meetings, holds a caregivers support group, provides resources and referrals for caregivers, and offers social interaction such as movies, dancing or area attractions. Each November, they invite the Alzheimer’s Association to give workshops outside the gates to Pass Area residents as well. It was at this meeting that club members presented Nancy with two large bunches of beautiful sunflowers. Although she accomplished her objective on May 5 of 2013, Nancy continues her work, having donated “fidget” quilts to patients at Redlands Hospice, VNA Home Hospice Outreach of Banning, Memory Care at The Lakes, Sandalwood manor in Calimesa and many other organizations and private individuals she has come in contact with.
“Fidget” quilts are small lap sized quilts designed with multiple textures to stimulate the patient’s senses and provide the same comforts of a traditional quilt. Using a total of 36 six-inch squares of assorted fabrics such as velvet, fleece, fake fur, corduroy, etc., Nancy creates a quilt that will fit nicely on a lap. These quilts are beneficial for Alzheimer’s patients because they provide constant stimulation in a comforting, non-threatening way. Nancy’s quilts have been shipped all over the world as part of research studies and have been given to wounded warriors.
“Fabrics should be washable and durable enough to withstand the hot water washing typical of healthcare facilities”, she instructs. “Texture is more important than color, and embellishments such as zippers, tassels, flowers, buttons and ribbon can be used, just use your imagination. They must be attached securely however to hold up to frequent laundering and rough handling.” The squares are joined in rows of 6, mixing the colors and textures for variety, then layered with backing and batting. When her quilts are completed, she brings them to her church where each one is blessed at the altar before being given to a patient.
According to the information provided by the Alzheimer’s Association at their workshop, there are more than half a million people in California who are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Many others are either undiagnosed, suffer from dementia or another form of memory loss. As our population ages, they claim that the numbers are expected to double within the next 15 years.
For anyone who would like more information about the Alzheimer’s Association, the Sun Lakes Memory Club, or instructions on how to make a “fidget” quilt, please contact Shirley Almeida at 845-2008.
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