Twiddle Muffs soothe and warm restless hands

Resident Dawn Hazzard is delighted with her Twiddle Muff!

While they may look a bit like knitted leg warmers, Twiddle Muffs provide visual, tactile and sensory stimulation for people living with dementia.

Often people with dementia have restless hands and Twiddle Muffs, which are knitted tubes with various accessories attached to them, help soothe and comfort those who are anxious or agitated.

Edenvale resident Helen Tuininga kindly knitted and donated 50 Twiddle Muffs to Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre. In a letter accompanying the donation, Helen explained that in memory of her 81-year-old mom, Peggy Waldron, the donation of Twiddle Muffs is a small gesture to say thank you to Rand Aid and all care staff who make a difference in the lives of the elderly.

She said that the Twiddle Muffs were made especially for residents living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and commented that “in some research, it is alleged that Twiddle Muffs help relieve anxiety when fiddled with and they are good hand warmers as well!”

The care centre’s staff and volunteers recently handed out the Twiddle Muffs to the residents on River Lodge 3, the special wing for residents living with dementia, and they were received with delight.

Getting ready to hand out the Twiddle Muffs are Sehlule Ntini, Lefuno Numutanzhela, Nolly Mlandu, Ronnie Cumming and Lorna Turner. Front: Bianca Richards.

Barbara Wapnick is pleased with the Twiddle Muff she chose.