Volunteers make fidget blankets for 'Joyful Memories' event

ComForCare of Crystal Lake held its "Joyful Memories" event March 17 at Senior Services of Crystal Lake where they did a musical presentation and handed out fidget blankets that volunteers made.

Sheryl Taubin, the director for client care at ComForCare of Crystal Lake, organized this event and recruited the volunteers to make the fidget blankets. She had read about the benefits of blankets and how they provide comfort and happiness to person with dementia and fidgeting fingers. Often, during later stages of dementia, their hands fidget as though agitated or searching for something to hold. The person with dementia may pull on their clothing or bedding, rubbing their hands up and down.

ComForCare preformed musical presentations and sang a variety of songs from patriotic, Frank Sinatra, Elvis to folk songs.

Gladys Stier of Crystal Lake said, "This is perfect for my friend who is 87 years old and has dementia. She writes things down and then loses the paper. The pockets in the Fidget blanket will allow her to keep her papers with her and she will also enjoy the bright colors and activities."

Ruby Elhert of Crystal Lake said, "My sister is 92 and has Alzheimer's. She is very forgetful. I think she will enjoy this blanket because she keeps certain things with her and will like putting them in its compartments. She'll also enjoy playing with the activities on the blanket, especially the little animal that's in the pocket."

One of the volunteers who made blankets, Pamela Kauffman of Lakewood, attended the event. She said, "My desire to volunteer for this project was initially based on my admiration and respect for Sheryl Taubin for all that she does and all that she represents. It became a desire to focus my efforts toward a worthy cause and to help a growing population of adults that I could easily be joining in the coming years. I definitely consider it a worthy cause."

Taubin noted that ComForCare does Joyful Memory music events for seniors and is actively involved providing dementia education within the community. These programs and the Fidget Blankets given to people with dementia within the community are complimentary. "We look forward to hearing from anyone who is interested in scheduling an event or is interested in a Fidget Blanket for someone they know who has been affected by dementia," Taubin said. For details, call (815) 642-5770.