Improving Care For Residents With Dementia

Residents at St Cross Grange care home in Winchester, a Greensleeves Care home, have been given new special aprons which provide visual and tactile stimulation for people with dementia.

Many people with Alzheimer’s and dementia-related conditions have a need to be doing something with their hands and studies have shown that tactile stimulation can have a calming effect. The tactile aprons or tabards not only reduce agitation shown by repetitive movements such as rolling the hem of clothing or tapping the arm of a chair, but also help reduce the risk of falls as the aprons occupy a person when seated or in bed.

The brightly coloured aprons were made by relatives of the residents and have a range of items sewn onto them including ribbon, buttons, zips, fur patches, beads and pockets which are good to feel and touch.  Residents love the sensation of touch and texture.

As a way of thanking the relatives for their special gift, St Cross Grange staff arranged a tea party and gave the relatives hand made chocolates made by staff and residents.