Touch Quilt Project

The Touch Quilt Project reached its original goal of donating a quilt to each resident in a long term care facility in June 2010.  Hundreds of volunteers donated their time and tons of fabric was donated so that, in less than 2 years, over 2200 quilts were given out in Waterloo Region.   In Phase Two of the project, each long term care facility is provided quilts to give to new residents when they arrive and we are offering quilts to retirement homes, home care providers, hospitals and any other people or organizations in our community who request them.


What are Touch Quilts?
When people are facing the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, the changes in their brain cause them to be confused and disoriented which often leads to the person isolating themselves.   In response to this lonely and sometimes scary experience, it is natural that many seek out a comfort item to provide them a sense of safety and security.

Touch Quilts are made up of fabrics with different textures (satin, corduroy, flannel, polar fleece, borg etc.). The purpose of this is to provide sensory stimulation by feeling the different textures, as well as feeling the warmth of the blanket and enjoying the beauty of the quilt. Touching and rubbing fabrics that have different textures helps provide sensory stimulation, warmth, security and comfort to reduce stress and anxiety common in the daily lives of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. 

It is incredibly rewarding to see the smile on their face when presented with a beautiful quilt, handmade by a volunteer, especially for them.  For more information on the program and volunteering to quilt these special lap blankets, please click here.