Nurse’s ‘twiddle muff’ appeal to support dementia patients

‘GRATEFUL TO ANYONE WHO CAN ASSIST’: Karen Harrison, Lead Matron for Dementia and Delirium at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

By Rick Lyon

A senior nurse is appealing to local knitters, craft and community groups to support hospital patients living with dementia.

For a number of years, hospital staff have been giving out knitted ‘twiddle muffs’ to patients with dementia to help ease anxiety while spending time in hospital.

These brightly coloured items consist of a simple knitted tube which can be worn over the hands, but which are also adorned with bows, buttons, beads, bells and other ornate items which the wearer can “twiddle”. 

More recently, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has received similar donations of fidget bears and blankets too.

But now supplies are waning.

HELPFUL: A collection of twiddle muffs

Karen Harrison, Lead Matron for Dementia and Delirium at the trust, said: “Spending time in hospital can be difficult at any stage of life, but for older people in particular it can be quite confusing and upsetting. It can also be the cause of anxiety as people find themselves outside of their comfort zone, away from familiar people and surroundings.

“Twiddle muffs are a really simple idea but can really help to calm people with dementia in particular who don’t always understand how or why they’ve come to be in hospital.

“They also provide stimulation for the hands and mind and can be a great conversation starter for those who may otherwise tend to be quite withdrawn. They can even help us promote better safety on the wards, as patients who have little to do may be tempted to get up and wander or start to fiddle with their drip or cannula, and in turn this could lead to falls or other risks to patients’ clinical care and recovery.

“We’ve been using twiddle muffs for a number of years but, following the Covid pandemic, we’ve seen a drop off in donations. Now we’re keen to receive a fresh supply so we can share these between our emergency department, wards and services at both Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill and help make people’s time with us that bit more enjoyable.

“We’d be so grateful to anyone who has a bit of spare time, a bit of spare wool and a few bits and bobs in their sewing box who can help us with this request.”

COMFORTING: A twiddle muff being used

Twiddle muffs are required for both older men and women, and each person gets to keep their own. There’s no right or wrong way to design a twiddle muff. The most important thing; however, is that the adornments - beads, bows, zips or other items - are firmly sewn on.

A basic twiddle muff pattern can be found here.

Donations can be made by post/parcel to:

Karen Harrison
Corporate Nursing Services
Brocklehurst Building
Anlaby Road
Hull
HU3 2RW

For larger donations or to drop off in-person, contact the Dementia Care Team on 01482 315548 or email hyp-tr.dementiasupport@nhs.net