Volunteer-Crafted Twiddle Muffs and Fidget Blankets Keep VITAS Patients Engaged
VITAS HEALTHCARE SWFL
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Aug 09, 2021
Florida - Southwest
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Anyone who has ever witnessed the agitated and nervous behavior of a patient with dementia or Alzheimers, or seen nursing home residents in wheelchairs seemingly staring into space for hours on end:
Meet twiddle muffsand meet 65-year-old Wanda, aVITAS Healthcare volunteerwho makes them.
The twiddle muff does exactly what its odd name implies: Its a glove-like sleeve for the hands,similar toold-fashioned hand-warming muffs. Each colorful muff features crocheted-in knots and bunches of yarn that encourage patients to keep their hands and minds occupied by twiddling away with the muffs sensory, whimsical features.
These twiddle muffs have tactile elements that keep our patients constantly engaged, saysthe VITAS business manager who discovered them while visiting alocalchurchs knitting-crocheting group. The first day I encountered them, I took them straight to my team, telling them how phenomenal they would be for all of ourmemory care patients.
Something to Make Them a Little Happier
T average twiddle mufftakes about 12 hours to create, according to Wanda, andis about the size of an oversized glove that fits over a patients hand. A variety of textures encourage touching, feeling, andtwiddling,such as a string of different-sized knots, long thick appendages, or tightly packed balls or bumps.
Wandas volunteer craftsgroupdonatesblankets,afghans, hats, mittens, and a variety of comfort itemsto VITAS patients and seniors in other healthcare settings.
I really wanted to make the twiddle muffs to give patients and nursing home residents something to do, something to keep them busy and maybe make them a little happier, Wanda says. I try to make anything they can play with.
Engaging, Tactile, and Utilitarian
Similar creativity is at work at the Veterans Affairs Medical Centerwhere VITAS donated 10 volunteer-sewn fidget blankets forveteran patients.
The quiltsfeature interactive elementszippers, beads, buttons, pockets, neckties,watches,and shoestringsto encourage attention and manipulation.The blankets are wonderful tools for veterans struggling with dementia and neurological symptoms.
So Many People You Can Help...
Wanda, who learned to crochet at age 12 from her grandmother, isthrilled that her creative pastime brings joy to others.
There are so many places and so many people you can help, she says.
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