METHUEN, MA — On October 4th, Methuen Village’s Compass Memory Support Neighborhood® received a batch of homemade “fidget mats” from residents at The Regency at Emerald Pines Condominium Community, a 55+ active community in Methuen. The donations were delivered members of the Regency at Emerald Pines Condominium Social Committee.

This project was spearheaded by Social Committee Member Sue Nadeau, who presented the idea at a homeowners’ meeting. The EPC Community then donated funds and materials and worked together to make the fidget mats. These mats are commonly used to bring comfort to those with memory loss by providing sensory and tactile materials to fidget with, and usually have different textures to feel, different things to open and close, and other items that would keep hands busy. The mats help to soothe any agitated feelings that people with dementia and Alzheimer’s may experience by focusing their attention, stimulating the senses, and helping them to exercise hand muscles and utilize fine motor skills.

The Community is looking forward to feedback from Methuen Village on which features are most helpful and comforting to the memory support residents.