Mount Allison student’s grant brings comfort and connection to patients at Sackville Memorial Hospital 

Fidget items, therapy dolls and dementia-friendly radios are helping patients feel calmer and more engaged during their hospital stay

A Mount Allison University student is helping bring more comfort, engagement, and connection to patients with dementia receiving care at Horizon’s Sackville Memorial Hospital (SMH). 

Nevaeh LeBlanc, who plans to pursue a career in medicine, received a $2,000 project grant through Place aux compétences, a program that supports youth in New Brunswick to get involved in their communities. 

Neveah wanted to give back locally in a way that would make a meaningful difference for patients and families. After reaching out to the Sackville Memorial Hospital Foundation, she was connected with Tahneen Luedee, who was Nurse Manager of the Brunswick West Unit at the time. 

“I wanted to support local patients and families in a meaningful way,” said Nevaeh. “When I asked what patients and staff needed most, it was clear that helping these patients feel calmer and more engaged during their stay could make a real difference.” 

Designed for dignity 

Brunswick West cares for a range of patients, including those admitted from the Emergency Department, and those awaiting long-term care placement. Many of these patients live with dementia, and may spend long periods in hospital. 

“Some patients are able to tell us what they want or what would help them,” said Tahneen. “But for someone with dementia, they may not know what they need — and even small things can affect their mood. Having the right items available can help patients feel more settled and supported.” 

Working closely with Tahneen and the unit team, Nevaeh developed a list of dementia-friendly sensory and comfort items designed to help patients stay engaged, reduce anxiety and support a safer care environment. 

Items purchased through the grant included fidget and tactile items, picture and activity books, puzzles, therapy dolls, and dementia-friendly radios with large buttons. The unit also received an additional iPad to support patient engagement. 

Small moments, big impact 

“Music is something many patients gravitate toward,” said Tahneen. “And some respond so well to simple tactile items — something soft to hold, something to keep their hands busy. These are small things, but they can make a big difference in someone’s day, helping them connect with familiar activities or interests from earlier in life.” 

For example, one patient with a construction background found joy in a specialized board with screws, spending hours turning and arranging them. “He would literally sit for hours just playing with the screws,” said Tahneen. “These items tap into skills or passions that remain, even when other abilities change.” 

Therapy dolls have also become a favourite, providing comfort and a sense of purpose.  

“If staff can see that a patient is becoming upset, sometimes they’ll say, ‘Where’s the doll?’” said Tahneen. “We’ll bring it in and say, ‘Can you take care of the baby for us?’ and you can see the person settle. Then they’ll spend time holding the doll and caring for it.” 

For patients who are in hospital longer-term, the impact is especially meaningful. 

“These patients become part of the Brunswick West family,” said Tahneen. “It can be very hard to be in hospital for weeks or months while waiting for placement. If we can do something small to brighten their day, it means a lot — to them, to their families, and to our staff.” 

Nevaeh said she’s grateful she was able to contribute in a practical way, and she hopes to stay involved with SMH in the future. 

“As a student, it can be hard to find ways to help in a hospital setting,” she said. “This project gave me a way to contribute and support the community where I’m studying.” 

Tahneen said the project has had an immediate positive impact on the unit, and she hopes it can be built on over time. 

“This grant has sparked excitement among staff and has enabled us to provide meaningful activities for patients,” she said. “We’re very grateful to Nevaeh for thinking local and for supporting the people we care for on Brunswick West. 

Nevaeh’s project was made possible by Place aux compétences, a New Brunswick not-for-profit organization that supports youth in developing skills and bringing community projects to life through hands-on experience and mentorship. To learn more about its programs and community grant opportunities, visit pacnb.org.