Substrate having a therapeutic tactile object attached and methods of using same

Abstract

A substrate is provided having a tactile object attached, the substrate constructed of a first material forming a shell for at least partially surrounding a pillow. The tactile object may be formed of a second material that is different than the first material, the tactile object formed in the shape of a comfort item. The tactile object further has a first side providing tactile sensory feedback, and a second side configured to be attached to the shell such that the first side of the tactile object extends away from the first rectangular side of the shell. According to the inventive concepts disclosed herein, the substrate is provided to a user in need of comfort and the tactile object provides tactile sensory feedback to the user designed to comfort the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A substrate having a tactile object attached, comprising:
 the substrate constructed of a first material forming a shell for at least partially surrounding a pillow, the shell having a first rectangular side and a second rectangular side, the first rectangular side and the second rectangular side attached along at least three perimeter edges to form a central cavity for inserting the pillow; and   a tactile object formed of a second material that is different than the first material, the tactile object formed in the shape of a comfort item having a first side providing tactile sensory feedback, and a second side configured to be attached to the first rectangular side of the shell such that the first side of the tactile object extends away from the first rectangular side,   wherein the substrate is provided to a user in need of comfort and the tactile object provides tactile sensory feedback to the user designed to comfort the user.   
     
     
         2 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein the second side of the tactile object is removeably attached to the first rectangular side of the shell. 
     
     
         3 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein the tactile object is provided constructed of a material that feels like skin, the tactile object being shaped in the form of a hand and attached to the first rectangular side of the shell so that when the user is using the pillow and touches the tactile object the tactile object provides tactile sensory feedback to the user similar to touching the hand of another person. 
     
     
         4 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein the first rectangular side further comprises indicia printed on the first side, the indicia indicative of who provided the substrate to the user. 
     
     
         5 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein the second rectangular side further comprises indicia printed on the second side, the indicia indicative of at least one of key home-care instructions, out-patient care contact information, and/or a contact number to schedule free transportation. 
     
     
         6 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein the second side of the shell is constructed of the first material and the substrate is further provided with a third material, the first side of the shell constructed of the third material which is a smart material configured to collect data about the user and transmit that data in real time to a remote location. 
     
     
         7 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is provided to the user to reduce at least one of anxiety and/or depression of the user. 
     
     
         8 . A substrate having a tactile object attached, comprising:
 the substrate constructed of a first material forming a shell for at least partially surrounding a pillow, the shell having a first rectangular side and a second rectangular side, the first rectangular side and the second rectangular side being attached along at least three perimeter edges to form a cavity for inserting the pillow;   a tactile object formed of a second material that is different than the first material, the tactile object having a first side providing tactile sensory feedback, and a second side configured to be attached to the first rectangular side of the shell such that the first side of the tactile object extends away from the first rectangular side; and   a first pocket constructed of a transparent material, the first pocket secured on three sides to the second side of the shell with a fourth side forming an opening configured to allow a communication media to be removeably disposed between the first pocket and the second side of the shell,   wherein the substrate is provided to a user to facilitate follow-up care and the communication media is provided with written or visual communication printed or otherwise fixed on a surface thereof, the written or visual communication indicative of follow-up care instructions for the user with the communication media placed inside the first pocket such that the care instructions are visible through the transparent material of the first pocket.   
     
     
         9 . The substrate of  claim 8 , wherein the substrate further comprises a second pocket, the second pocket secured on three sides to the second side of the shell with a fourth side forming an opening configured to allow items to be removeably disposed between the second pocket and the second side of the shell. 
     
     
         10 . The substrate of  claim 9 , wherein the second pocket is a medication pocket and the medication pocket is further provided with a plurality of inner sections with at least one of the plurality of inner sections corresponding to each day of a week. 
     
     
         11 . The substrate of  claim 10 , wherein each of the at least one inner sections of the medication pocket corresponding to each day of the week is further divided into three sections corresponding to a time of day when a medication should be taken. 
     
     
         12 . The substrate of  claim 9 , wherein the second pocket is an alarm pocket configured to hold an alarm and the substrate is further provided with an alarm designed to provide an auditory, tactile, or auditory and tactile indication of a set time. 
     
     
         13 . The substrate of  claim 12 , wherein the alarm may be preset with a plurality of set times corresponding to follow-up care times for a predetermined number of days, the follow-up care times corresponding to at least one of a time to take a medication and/or a follow-up appointment time. 
     
     
         14 . The substrate of  claim 8 , wherein the first rectangular side further comprises indicia printed on the first side, the indicia indicative of who provided the substrate to the user. 
     
     
         15 . The substrate of  claim 8 , wherein the second rectangular side further comprises indicia printed on the second side, the indicia indicative of at least one of key home-care instructions, out-patient care contact information, and/or a contact number to schedule free transportation. 
     
     
         16 . The substrate of  claim 8 , wherein the substrate is provided to the user to facilitate follow-up care after hospitalization to reduce the rate of readmission within 30 days following discharge.