Published on: 12 November 2019
Staff in Sunderland Royal Hospital’s Emergency Department are urgently appealing for keen knitters to make ‘twiddle muffs’ for patients with dementia.
The knitted tubes have items such as beads, buttons, zips and ribbons attached and can help to reduce anxiety and restlessness, as well as provide stimulation for patients with dementia by keeping their hands occupied.
Sister Michelle Carfoot, dementia link in the Emergency Department at Sunderland Royal, said: “The twiddle muffs are a simple but invaluable aid to calm our patients with dementia who can find the busy, clinical atmosphere when they come into hospital rather overwhelming.
“We need a constant supply of them as they can only be used for one patient. They cannot be reused for another because of our strict infection prevention and control procedures. Consequently, we are always looking for volunteers to make them. We would love to hear from anyone who can spare some time to knit a few; we can supply them with the patterns.”
Anyone who would like to help should contact michelle.carfoot@chsft.nhs.uk
