Activity apron proving to be successful at calming residents with cognitive impairment
New activity at Woodland maintains cognitive and motor skills
Thursday September 4, 2008 -- Deron Hamel
Aprons laden with pockets where staff members can hide trinkets is the latest effective tool for calming residents at Woodland Villa who have a cognitive impairment.

Staff members place gadgets such as brightly-coloured buttons of different sizes inside the pockets on the aprons — which were designed by staff member Debbie Matte — and place them on residents’ laps or hang them over a railing in front of them.

Matte, a personal support worker (PSW) at the Cornwall-area long-term care home, who presented residents with the apron about two weeks ago, says the device has been an effective tool for maintaining manual dexterity and the interests of residents who have a cognitive impairment.

“It occupies their fingers and their mind and they love playing with stuff like that,” says Matte.

Under the supervision of staff members, residents dig around in the pockets until they find the items.

The aprons are also equipped with zippers and shoelaces for residents to work with.

Matte says she came up with the idea for the apron from watching residents participate in activities and realized “they like things like that.”

The next thing she knew, she was sitting at her kitchen table and putting the aprons together.

“It was fun creating this thing,” says Matte, who adds that she will be using furry items to change the texture of the articles hidden inside the apron.

“Residents love soft things and one of my friends has a goat farm, so she’s going to bring me some goat fur and we’re going to make a little patch.”

Debbie Harding, Woodland Villa’s clinical care co-ordinator, says the aprons have been an effective instrument for keeping residents happy.

“It helps to maintain dexterity and helps to entertain the resident who would normally be picking at things,” she says. “It helps reduce agitation and also will provide some tactile stimulation.”

While the apron has been a useful tool for engaging residents, Matte notes that there’s a value-added benefit which comes from having created the apron.

“It’s really rewarding to see something like that do so much,” she says. “It’s amazing to see their faces light up.”

Do you have a story about an activity which is proving beneficial to residents who have a cognitive impairment? If so, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051 ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca.

If you have feedback on this story, please call the newsroom at 800-294-0051 or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca.