Monday, September 12, 2011

September Scrap bee block

Dear all,

I know I have been in AWE (absent without explanation) for quite some time. We have been traveling back and forth from MD to OH to help my father-in-law deal with his wife's decent into dementia. The last year has been particularly trying, and the weekend before Labor Day we helped him move her to a facility as she can no longer be cared for in their home.

Rather than ask for blocks for myself, my request is simple: please make a 10 inch square of created cloth in bright colors. Then cut it into a simple shape: dog, cat, boat, house, book, etc. Send me the cut-outs. I will applique them to one or two wheelchair lap quilts. Most of the residents are in wheelchairs and use lap quilts on a daily basis. One of the therapies is the repetition of recognizable shapes. It is an engaging exercise to point to an object, ask if they recognize it, then talk about it.

The center she is in places a high value on honoring the resident and letting them do as much as they can by themselves. The days are filled with group activities that keep everyone engaged to their own level. Some are more engaged than others. I'm hoping the lap quilts will be another engagement point.

Thank you all so much, and now that I'm not traveling every weekend, I hope to get caught up on blog reading and block making.

San-Dee

email me at sno.wear1@gmail.com if you need my address again.......

4 comments:

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

I took care of my Aunt for 10 years after her two kids abandoned her. And now just had to put my mother in a nursing home. She no longer recogznizes me.

My heart is with you. Get your FIL's wife into Hospice. Alzheimer's diagnosis along will get her regardless of her other health. My mom is healthy as a horse and they accepted her last week.

It was emotionally traumatic for me, and continues to be, but being in the hospice program offers so much help for her and for me.

Thank you for not running and hiding. You are very special.

glen

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

i think it's a lovely idea. I'm sure it's Been a very difficult time. You have my Support!

Cindy F said...

I hear you and my heart is with you too. I've spent basically the whole summer at my parent's house (still here) taking care of my mother who has Alzheimer's. My father was her caregiver and he had a stroke Memorial Day weekend. My sisters and I are trying to come up with a plan that works for both parents and allows them to be together as my father will be coming home later this month or certainly by the end of next month.

Making my monthly blocks for this group has provided me my only creative outlet and I've considered it needed therapy.

Barbara Arcement said...

Hi San-Dee
So happy you are back with us on the bee. I will send your cut outs this week.
I 'll email you later!
hugs
beebee