People with dementia feel relaxed with 'twiddle muffs' keeping 'restless' hands busy

Twiddle muffs are being knitted to relax people with dementia and 15 of the fun gloves have been given to home care provider Home Instead as sensory stimulation for “restless hands”.

Adorned with beads and ribbons, sewn inside and out, the giant muffs are described by a spokesman for Home Instead as “a pleasant distraction that can help to relax the wearer” and occupy “restless hands”.

Home Instead Farnborough, Farnham & Fleet’s care worker Annie Warner discovered twiddle muffs while speaking to the wife of a man with dementia who receives home care from Home Instead.

The man’s wife is part of the Absconders Group Farnham, which has been knitting and crocheting twiddle muffs for patients with dementia in hospitals who struggle to stay calm and relaxed.

Ms Warner became inspired by the efforts of the Absconders Ground Farnham.

'Such a fun idea'

Annie Warner said: “Twiddle muffs are such a fun idea and once I found out about them through Gill I knew I had to let the wider team know of them.”

The Absconders Group Farnham have now donated fifteen twiddle muffs to the Home Instead Farnborough office in North Camp.

Ms Warner added: “I hope that they end up with the clients of those with dementia or their loved ones, as they are such a simple and effective idea.”

Home Instead Farnborough, Farnham & Fleet is now offering the twiddle muffs to people with dementia receiving care at home.

Louise Francis, recruitment manager at Home Instead Farnborough said of Annie's efforts: “Great work bringing these to our attention Annie. They’re a fabulous idea and we’re behind you 100 per cent in encouraging the use of these.

“We always say that no two days are the same as a care professional, and twiddle muffs are a perfect example of this.

“One day you could be making a light meal for a client, the next day a bit of hoovering or helping them wash. If you think you'd like to be a care professional and could do what Annie does, get in touch, we'd be happy to hear from you."

click here for more details or to contact Home Instead (Farnborough, Farnham & Fleet)