Wrapped in love and dignity

DIGNITY quilts made by Bendigo and District Quilters have been donated to Bendigo Health’s Joan Pinder and Stella Anderson Nursing Homes as a way for residents to leave their home, for the last time, wrapped in love.

Dignity quilts are used in places like nursing homes to cover a stretcher when someone who has died leaves the facility.

“We had always talked about getting what we call dignity quilts,” said Joanne Wood, clinical nurse consultant.

“When sending off the resident into the care of the undertaker it shows that they’ve been identified and cared for.

“They are wrapped in love as they leave the facility.”

Each quilt is about 70 by 100 centimetre and took weeks to create.

“These people have gone to this effort and time to make these beautiful quilts and these people are now wrapped in love,” said Ms Wood.

“We just want to give them a big thank you, the residents are still talking about it today.”

Alongside the dignity quilts, Bendigo and District Quilters have created 64 bed quilts for residents which they can place on their beds.

“The quilters get so much joy out of it as they know they are going to a good home,” said Cheryl Gater, Bendigo and District Quilters member.

“Members get so much enjoyment out of making a quilt that they know is going to be loved by the residents.

“We get a lot of pleasure of it; it makes what we do worthwhile.”

Stella Anderson Nursing Home resident, Joan, brought up her family on a farm in Mia Mia, and would sew clothes for her six children.

“Members of the community making quits for those who no longer can, we appreciate it,” she said.

“It is just so lovely to get a lovely quilt from someone who has made it with love, I will use mine every night.”