Dementia Action Week 21-27 May 2018

This week is Dementia action week, 21-27 May 2018. The mission is to raise awareness of Dementia as well show you how you can help and make a difference! 

This is a wonderful cause and one that we feel very passionate about at The Knitting Network. One way which you can help is by putting your knitting and crochet skills to excellent use! Keep reading to find out how.

Sensory items such as arm cuffs, Twiddle Mitts, Bags, Lap Mats, Fidget Aprons, Fidget Boards and Comfort Dolls can be knitted, crocheted or sewn together to help people with Dementia. These items are easy and quick to make and can be very comforting, and help to keep patients calm when they are undergoing treatment and when they're feeling anxious. 

Handmade For Dementia is a organisation set up in 2016 by Sharon Wallace-Holdstock. They now have over 1000 volunteers who have kindly made these sensory items. The items are thoroughly risk assessed before they are donated to hospitals. 

Handmade For Dementia devised the Dementia Cannula Sleeve or DCS. This particular sensory item is worn on the sleeve and helps to stop patients pulling at their cannula needle which is inserted into the arm. It can help save the NHS time and money as the patient is less likely to pull at the needle and cause harm to themselves. 

The staff at the hospitals that have received these items have expressed how much they have helped their patients to feel less anxious. Having something to keep their hands busy has been very beneficial. 

If you wanted to knit, crochet or sew some sensory items for this great cause, then head over to the Handmade for Dementia Facebook page where you can find the patterns as well as interact with other members. It is also the easiest way to get in touch with Sharon and her team and for your sensory items to be risk assessed.

Join the Handmade for Dementia page here >

Read more about Dementia Action Week here >