What Size Should Lap Blankets Be for Seniors?

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Since your elderly parent is often cold indoors, you’d like to get them a lap blanket. You know a lap robe is smaller than a throw quilt but larger than a baby blanket. So what’s the best lap blanket size for a senior?

An average-size lap quilt measures 36 x 48 inches (91.4 x 122 cm). The ideal lap blanket for a senior should cover their abdomen, pelvis, and legs. The size varies by several factors, such as the person’s height and build. If your loved one uses a wheelchair, that’s another consideration.

This post will help you gauge the best blanket dimensions for your loved one. Moreover, you’ll learn about the various lap robe fabrics, weights, and designs, such as one with pockets. Then, there’s the “fidget blanket,” designed for an elder with dementia.

Best Lap Blanket Sizes for Seniors

Dimensions Based on Your Loved One’s Frame

Is your loved one short, petite, or frail? If so, get them a small lap blanket measuring roughly 32 inches wide x 35 inches long (81 x 89 cm). If your parent has an average frame, they need a medium-size lap quilt, about 36 x 48 inches (91.4 x 122 cm). On the other hand, if your loved one has a large build, a lap robe should be approximately 45 x 50 inches (114.3 x 127 cm).

Lap blanket retailers vary in what they consider small, medium, and large sizes. So, when shopping, use the above measurements as a guide. Slight deviations won’t make much of a difference in body coverage and your loved one’s comfort.

Best Lap Quilt Size for a Wheelchair User

If your loved one moves about by wheelchair, they need a lap robe that won’t catch on the wheels. Furthermore, the quilt shouldn’t feel cumbersome or restrictive. So, lap blankets for wheelchair users tend to be slightly smaller than the average size.

According to most lap robe sellers, a good fit for a wheelchair is 34 x 44 inches (86.4 x 111.7 cm).

Lap Quilt Materials

Since elders often have thin, dry skin, it’s harder for them to retain body heat. So, when choosing a lap blanket fabric, consider the material’s warmth and weight. Also, ensure that the product is machine washable.

The most popular textiles for lap quilts are cotton, wool, and fleece. Cotton offers medium insulation while being midweight. Wool is the heaviest material, providing maximal body heat retention. Still, the rough texture of wool can irritate fragile senior skin.

Fleece is soft and lightweight, although less warm than cotton. There are two types of fleece for lap blankets, sherpa, and microfleece, both made of polyester.

Also, bear in mind your loved one’s activity level while seated. For instance, if they enjoy knitting or crocheting, a cotton lap quilt might be best. Cotton allows more freedom of movement than wool or fleece.

Lap Robe Shapes and Colors

Would you like to sew a lap robe for your loved one? In that case, consider square or rectangular blanket shapes since they fit patterns well. These designs are best if your mom or dad uses a wheelchair. On the other hand, if you look online for lap quilts, you’ll find them in various configurations.

Note that bright hues and busy patterns may clash with your loved one’s clothing. So, opt for muted colors and simple styles to avoid a mismatched look. Still, there’s one exception to this recommendation, a fidget blanket, up next!

Therapeutic Lap Quilts

Fidget Blanket

Does your loved one have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease? If so, give them a fidget blanket embellished with items they can manipulate, ushering a sense of calm. Other names for this engaging quilt are busy blanket, activity blanket, and sensory blanket.

Fascinating objects for fidget blankets include:

pom-poms
braids and lace

elastic ties
zippers
squeaky toys

buttons and snaps
jingle bells

Fabric textures vary, too. They can be velvety, ribbed, fluffy, smooth, or silky.

Sensory blankets can soothe autistic seniors and those with ADHD. They also provide stimulation for elders who often feel bored. Since the items are sewn into the fabric, they won’t fall from a senior’s lap.

When shopping for a busy blanket, look for these features:

at least six different objects sewn into the quilt

sturdy stitching, keeping the items secure
easy to fold for compact storage

Since fidget blankets are meant to captivate a senior with dementia, you’ll find them in vivid hues and amusing styles. Or they can have a particular theme, such as flowers, pets, or cooking.

Weighted Lap Blanket

This therapeutic quilt can foster senior comfort in several ways. The pressure of a weighted blanket feels like a hug, helping your loved one relax. The quilt can lessen anxiety, depression, restlessness, and pain. In turn, a senior who struggles with insomnia may sleep better.

A weighted blanket is heavier than the average lap quilt, ranging from 5 to 30 lbs (2.27 to 13.61 kg). For a senior, the recommended weight is 5 to 8 lbs (2.27 to 363 kg).

However, avoid giving a weighted blanket to a loved one with osteoporosis. Since their bones are weak, the blanket’s heaviness poses a fracture risk.

Lap Quilt Care

If a lap robe measures less than 48 x 48 inches (122 x 122 cm), it should fit in a home washer and dryer. Be sure to launder the blanket in cool water with mild laundry soap. Then, tumble dry the quilt using low heat. If a blanket exceeds these dimensions, bring it to a laundromat or have it dry-cleaned.

Unfortunately, you can’t machine wash a fidget blanket without harming the decorations. So, soak the lap blanket in a solution of mild laundry detergent and cold water. Then, rinse the fabric thoroughly, gently squeeze out the excess water, and hang the blanket to dry.

To keep a lap blanket clean during meals, protect it from food spills. For instance, cover the quilt with an apron or a large cloth napkin.

Top-Rated Lap Blankets Sold Online

Here’s a selection of high-quality lap quilts and their winning features. For details, follow the product links.

Granny Jo Products Lightweight Wheelchair Blanket

The velvety texture of this lap robe is luxurious! Meanwhile, the two pockets make it ultra-warm.

Size – Medium, measuring 36 inches wide x 42 inches long (91.4 x 106.7 cm).

Fabric – Plush 100% polyester.
Available Colors – Wedgwood Blue, Charcoal Gray, Merlot, and Blush Pink.
Secure – Attaches to a wheelchair with two hook-and-loop straps on each side.

Convenient – Two oversized pockets can store objects or warm your loved one’s hands.
Care – Machine wash in cold water with like colors. Tumble dry on a low heat setting. No ironing.

iHEALTHCOMFORT Sherpa Wheelchair Lap Blanket

Is your elderly parent thin or frail? If so, consider giving them this sherpa wool lap blanket. The synthetic sheepskin is both warm and lightweight, enhanced with a kangaroo pocket. Despite the thickness of the material, it dries quickly after machine washing.

Size – Small, measuring 28 inches wide x 43 inches long (71 x 109 cm).
Fabric – Dense double-sided wool with a finished border.
Color – Burgundy.

Secure – Has corner snaps for tucking the blanket around the waist or legs. It also converts to a shoulder cape.
Convenient – Front kangaroo pocket for warming the hands or storage.
Care – Machine wash cold with similar colors. Tumble dry low. No ironing.

Relax Eden Kids Weighted Lap Blanket

Although this product is advertised for kids, it’s the perfect size for a lap blanket! The thick cotton quilt has polyester padding, and glass beads supply the weight. The underside is silky-smooth, while the topside is nubby. Plus, the blanket has a duvet cover, simplifying washing.

Size – Medium, 36 inches wide x 48 inches long (91.4 x 122 cm).
Weight – 5 lbs (2.27 kg), provided by non-toxic glass microbeads contained within the material.

Fabric – Cotton and polyester, seven layers thick.
Color – Gray.
Secure – Eight loop ties keep the blanket in place.

Care – Machine wash the duvet in cool water.
Warranty – One-year warranty with a money-back guarantee.

Barmy Weighted Wheelchair Lap Blanket

This lap quilt differs from the previous one in weight, size, and portability. However, like the Relax Eden brand, it has a nubby removable cover. So, it can also serve as a fidget blanket since a senior can finger the raised dots. Therefore, both the blanket pressure and texture can ease a loved one’s anxiety and discomfort.

Size – Small, measuring 24 inches wide x 48 inches long (61 x 122 cm).
Weight – 6 lbs (2.72 kg), supplied by non-toxic glass microbeads sewn into the quilted squares.
Fabric – Cotton facing the inside, viscose raised-dot texture on the outside.

Available Colors – Navy Blue, Cool Gray, and Dark Gray.
Secure – Snug fit created by six tie loops.
Packable – Stores inside a PVC carry bag.

Care – Machine wash the removable cover in cool water.

Silvert’s Men’s & Women’s Adaptive Microfibre Polar Fleece Wheelchair Blanket

This lightweight, soft lap blanket snaps onto a wheelchair, staying put. It also features a large outer patch pocket. Moreover, the blanket manufacturer donates a portion of each sale to dementia research.

Size – Small, measuring 24 inches wide by 33.5 inches long (61 x 85 cm).

Fabric – Smooth polyester microfleece, reversible.
Available Colors – Pink & Gray, Aubergine & Charcoal, Skyblue & Midnight, Taupe & Black, Steelblue & Navy.
Secure – Side panels snap onto wheelchair arms.

Convenient – Patch pocket for hands or storing items, such as eyeglasses.
Care – Machine washable.

Also, instead of buying a lap blanket, you can consider sewing one yourself and gifting it to your elderly parents. I have a DIY guide on making lap blankets that you can check out for more information and a detailed step-by-step guide. How to Make Lap Blankets for Seniors (DIY Guide)

How To Make a Fidget Blanket

Most fidget blankets sold online are actually mats or pads. The average size is 21 x 21 inches (53.3 x 53.3 cm), too short to cover an elder’s legs. Instead, a person holds the pad on their lap or spreads it on a table. Moreover, since the mat is pre-made, its decorations may not appeal to your loved one.

You can consider customizing a fidget blanket for your parent. It’s easy and fun to do! Here’s how to make a perfectly-sized activity blanket for your loved one.

Supplies

5 sheets of different colored fabric, sized to your loved one’s lap and legs

1 piece of low-loft batting to stabilize the fabric
stiff template material, such as cardboard
binder clip or large paperclip

scissors and spools of thread
sewing machine (recommended but optional)
straight pins

iron and ironing board
decorations, such as zippers, buckles, jingle bells, snaps, and squeaky toys

Steps

Make a template for the quilt squares. An easy template size to use is 5 x 5 inches (12.7 x 12.7 cm). Then, choose a stiff template material, such as cardboard.

Cut the fabric squares. Place the template over a fabric sheet, securing it with a binder clip or large paperclip. Cut squares from each piece of material, leaving one sheet intact. Reserve this for the back of the quilt.
Sew a strip of squares together. Take alternating squares of each fabric color, forming a pattern. Then, sew the squares into a vertical strip. Continue making strips, using up all the squares. Next, sew the panels together, creating a ¼-inch (0.64 cm) seam, using a sewing machine if you have one.
Iron the quilt. Make sure all the seam edges lie flat.

Pin all the decorations on the quilt. You can sew them into place by hand or with a machine. For instance, you can sew on zippers, a belt and buckle, squeaky toys, and buttoned flaps. Also, fashion a pocket, tucking a small item inside. Then, you might add some snaps. Now, the front of the quilt is done!
Place the batting on top of the finished piece. Cut the batting ¼ inch (0.64 cm) wider on each side.
Get the last sheet of material for the back of the quilt, laying the batting on top. Next, cut the fabric sheet ½ inch (1.27 cm) wider than the batting on each side.

Fold this ½ inch margin of fabric over the quilt top, attaching it with straight pins. Then, pin the quilt top, batting, and rear panels together, forming the blanket.
Fold up half of the fabric margin, hiding the raw edges. Then, fold in the remaining half, creating the quilt border. Next, make straight corners on the quilt and pin them down.
Sew down the border using a fancy stitch. Then, join the top, batting, and rear sections together with a straight stitch.

Congratulations! You just fashioned a busy blanket, helping to keep your parent cozy, warm, and calm.

How To Sew a Wheelchair Blanket

Does your loved one have good cognitive functions with no evidence of dementia? If so, they may not need a fidget blanket. Still, if they use a wheelchair, consider sewing them a lap robe in their favorite color.

Just follow the steps above but omit the fidget items. Or if your parent uses regular chairs, you can customize a lap blanket suiting their frame.

And while on the topic of wheelchairs, did you know why their wheelchairs have small front wheels? Well, I have an interesting article answering this that you should check out. Why Do Wheelchairs Have Small Front Wheels?

Oh, So Cozy!

A lap blanket for a senior should be sized to their build or a wheelchair if they use one:

petite senior – small lap blanket, about 32” (81 cm) wide x 35” (89 cm) long

average frame – medium-size lap quilt, roughly 36” x 48” (92 cm x 120 cm)
stout constitution – large lap robe, approximately 45” x 50” (115 cm x 125 cm)
wheelchair user – 34” x 44” (85 cm x 113 cm)

If your loved one has dementia, give them a fidget blanket to keep them calm. Also therapeutic is a weighted lap robe, simulating a hug. The most popular lap quilt fabrics are wool, cotton, and fleece, wool being the warmest.

Your parent will feel so loved!

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