Margaret Light developed the original Twiddle®Muff for her grandmother, Lily. As she grew older, and her eyesight began to decline, Lilly couldn’t be as creative and productive with her hands as she had been all her life. “The Twiddle Muff satisfied her need to keep her hands warm and busy,” Margaret says. “She enjoyed it so much that it was on her lap constantly.”
Twiddles are a reassuring addition to your caregiver resources, and provide a less-expensive, drug-free therapy option ideal for use in any setting.
Buttoned to the outside are three detachable, attention-getting gadgets:
Twiddle Original
- a sealed satin/buckskin crackle pouch
- a strand of three long, satin ribbons
- a loop of colorful wooden beads in various sizes
Additional features:
- a Velcro® pull-tab for attachment to a walker, wheelchair or bed tray
- a name tag for personalizing the Twiddle
- Machine wash Muff — hand-wash gadgets
- safety-tested to meet U.S. & European standards – CE certified for sale in Europe
The detachable Twiddle gadgets allow the Muff to be machine cleaned. Many have been put through countless machine washing cycles in industrial machines and still look and work like new!
Twiddle Sport
Twiddle®Muff was created to give (my Grandmother’s) inquisitive hands something to keep them moving, active and warm and remind her how much she is loved……..even when I couldn’t be with her. ~ Margaret: Creator of the Twiddle Muff
Twiddle Pup
Professional caregivers rave about the effectiveness of Twiddles®. Having something to hold and manipulate, something to “twiddle” or fidget with, has a calming effect on a person who has dementia. The textures, the gadgets, the warm coziness of the Twiddles® are all there for just that reason. The stimulation they provide truly adds to the individual’s quality of life.
What Others are Saying
According to Linda Goy, director of life enrichment at the Scottish Home, a residential living facility in West Suburban Chicago: “The resident will talk to the Twiddle Muff, particularly if it is the pup or cat. ‘I want to hug you; you are a good boy; you are so cute.’ I’ve also seen it prompt unexpected conversation between residents. One will ask the other, ‘May I hold your cat?'” This often stimulates conversation and social interaction among residents as well as among family members.
“When I look at the eyes and mouth it makes me think I’m okay. Where did I get this little pumpkin pie?”
~ Bernice
And yet another glowing report from Pat Benda, R.N.C., director of nursing at the Scottish Home. She adds, “We are all concerned about over using meds, but we want to minimize the agitation and anxiety our residents sometimes exhibit. The Twiddle®Muff is a welcome alternative. Of course, the medication needs of our patients vary from day to day, from person to person and from situation to situation. The muff doesn’t necessarily replace meds, but may allow us to reduce dosage, or give fewer doses a day.”
This observation is further supported by Corie Larocque, Alzheimer’s coordinator for Brighton Gardens in Wheaton, IL. “(The Twiddle®Muff) immediately helps calm the resident, directing their focus and energy on one thing. In my experience, the muff does reduce the needs for meds.”
These are the original Twiddle®Muff s! designed especially for the person with Alzheimer’s. Twiddle®Muff is a registered trademark. Others have tried to copy it, but none can compare to the real Twiddle®Muff.
SUGGESTIONS FOR USING YOUR TWIDDLE MUFF
- INTRODUCING THE MUFF Because everyone is different, consider the personality and individuality of your loved one when purchasing and presenting the Twiddle Muff. A person who likes animals will probably do well with the Pup or one of the Cats. An analytic personality might begin her connection by evaluating the Twiddle. A nurturer may be pleased to “look after” it for a while. This product does contain small parts, and it should only be used with supervision.
- CHANGE-UP Add some variety to the activity by moving the gadgets around. Try the beads inside the Muff and the ball on the outside. If certain attachments pose an accident risk, remove it, at least temporarily. Some people, for example, like to chew. The ball that comes attached to the interior of the Twiddle is relatively safe and can pacify this need. The string of beads, on the other hand, could pose a swallowing risk, and probably should be removed.
- POCKET POTPOURRI The pocket on the side of the Twiddle can hold any number of interesting objects, from a tissue or favorite photograph, to a prized keepsake. Or put some oil in a Tangle Aromatherapy and hide it in the pocket for some added therapeutic value. Change the pocket contents each day to add interest and an element of surprise!
Care Instructions
- PERSONALIZE THE TWIDDLE MUFF Each Twiddle comes with a name tag for identification. This can be especially helpful if your loved one is in a care community. Use an indelible marker to write his or her name on the tag. This can add pride-of-ownership to the long list of benefits that the Twiddle Muff can offer.
- CARE INSTRUCTIONS Depending on use, the Twiddle should be laundered periodically. All attachments can be removed for cleaning. Machine wash and dry the Muff. Hand wash attachments. Not intended for children under three years of age.
What Others Are Saying
About Twiddle Muff s
Twiddle Cat
Mama loves her new “puppy”. She named it Poo-Bah…I have no idea where that came from! The very best part was that she actually tied a perfect bow with the ribbons. She tied the little baggie of homemade cookies that we had also given her, to the puppy, using the ribbons.
I took a great photograph of this event! The staff was amazed, and told me that now they have an idea what to suggest to other residents’ loved ones, for gifts. My Aunt’s son is also very interested in the puppy, as she too has Alzheimer’s. I have given your web site to them. I plan to revisit it as well, to find even more items for Mama and for the “memory care community” where she now lives. I’m so glad I put “gifts for Alzheimer’s” in the search engine. ~Marilyn
This is the second one we have purchased. The first was the dog and she has worn that one out. She absolutely loves these. ~ Colleen
In our last phone conversation, she gushed about it, and just hearing her enthusiastic about ANYTHING brought my heart all the warmth I had hoped for. It’s a bit pricey as far as stuffed animals go, but I have to admit it was well worthwhile. ~Chris
I was having trouble with my mom tearing paper, picking at her skin, just nervous behavior. This muff is perfect for her. She has things to touch and seems to particularly like the fringe which she will touch all day long. I guess she just needed something to do with her hands. ~Suzanne
Doubters become Believers
Ok, I was as skeptical as most prudent folks would be, but I took a chance and bought this for my mother, who is suffering from a rapidly-advancing case of dementia. I’m currently over in Afghanistan, and speaking with her on the phone was heart-wrenching. Thankfully, she still knows I’m her son, but not what my name is.
I took a leap of faith and ordered the Twiddle Pup after a friend’s recommendation and the seemingly incredible reviews. I was not disappointed. My mother instantly fell in love with it, gave it a name, and carries it with her wherever she goes. She says “Rusty” provides her with much comfort, companionship, and a way to keep her frail hands warm on cold autumn evenings. I’m sure she doesn’t realize that playing with the enclosed marbles helps her circulation, but that’s ok. All she needs to know is that it keeps her hands warm and working.
Trackbacks & Pingbacks
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[…] First, the Girl Scouts and a host of other volunteers are knitting TwiddleMuffs to be given as gifts along with the cards. Twiddlemuffs are known to be very effective for people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s because it is something to “twiddle” or fidget with and has a calming effect for the person holding it. Each Twiddlemuff has different textures, a warm and cozy feeling and gadgets to twiddle – apparently they add to the quality of life as they keep the brain active and stimulated. You can learn more here […]
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[…] room. Snoezelen is a concept created by two Dutch therapists who were in the early … READ MORE Twiddle Muff: Best Alzheimer’s Products The original Twiddle Muff was developed by Margaret Light for her grandmother, Lily. As she grew […]
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[…] Twiddle®Muff […]
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The Twiddle Muff is patented by the the original designer of the Twiddle Muff, yet all over the internet we find copies and even directions and patterns for making copies of the Twiddle Muff, including from this organization. Quite frankly, unless one has a lot of time on their hands, it is more cost effective to order one from us, and be assured of the quality.
Organizations & Affiliations
Purple Angel Ambassador
Dementia Friendly America
Thank you to whoever invented this wonderful product. I cry every time I read about Twiddle Muffs and I think the people who make copies are doing a service to society. This seems like a product that maybe should not be copyrighted and guarded John Schmid, as it’s a work of love. Not against inventors profiting, just love that a great idea spreads to help.
To a degree I agree with you Lynnae. So did the originator of the Muff. She didn’t often try to enforce her patent rights. But the same can be said of many things: the iPhone comes to mind. However, I think someone sewing a muff for personal use is different from someone producing copies for personal gain. And that has happened, and probably is happening.
Is there a pattern available for the Twiddle Muffs? I would like to make some to donate to our local nursing homes.
Hi Heather – No, the pattern is not available; in fact, the Twiddle line is copyrighted (not by us) and should not be copied, even to donate. Truthfully, bu the time you track down and purchase the material you won’t be saving much over the cost of the actual muffs. Add your time to the project and your saving becomes and expense.
BS.
These were invented in England by seniors. It was stolen by North American ‘entrepreneurs’..
The women in the UK need to be FULLY ACKNOWLEDGED.
We have sold the Twiddle Muffs for more than 10 years, and the Original Muff that we sell was first made long before we started selling them. The patterns and the muffs made in England and elsewhere around the world are but knock-offs of these originals.
A pattern please
I don’t understand
Can you please tell me if they are available in Canada??…Thank you
Mary – We have sold the Twiddle Muffs for more than 10 years, and the Original Muff that we sell was first made long before we started selling them. So considerably longer than seven years ago. The patterns and the muffs made in England and elsewhere around the world are but knock-offs of these originals.
Please can you tell me if twiddle muffs are available in the UK? Many thanks, Peter Wilcock.
Hi Peter – Muffs and many other of our products are available from our European store: http://www.best-alzheimers-products.eu.
Hi Cards – you are right about the benefits of an a sensory activity like this. Please advise your Girl Scouts that “Twiddle Muff” is a trademarked name.