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 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 |
The original Twiddle®Muff was developed by Margaret Light 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."
The success of the original Twiddle®Muff spawned the creation of three more designs; the Pup and the Cat, both with adorable pet-faces and tails, and the Sport in a pretty plaid. The cat comes in two colors, cream and chocolate brown.
Each Twiddle®has three attachments on the outside, and a squeezable ball on the inside. The attachments, include a sealed satin bag containing movable marbles, a strand of textured ribbons, a loop of colorful wooden beads, as well as a satin or faux suede pocket for personal essentials and a velcro tab patch. Plush fabric in the form of a muff provides warmth for the hands. In addition to tactile and mental stimulation, all offer exercise for the hands as well as relief from arthritis.
The detachable Twiddle® gadgets allow the Muff to be machine cleaned. Many have been put through many machine washing cycles, and still look and work like new!
"When I look at the eyes and mouth it makes me think I'm okay. Where did I get this little pumpkin pie?"
Professional caregivers rave about the effectiveness of Twiddles®. It has long been known that having something to hold and manipulate, something to "twiddle" or figgit with, can have a calming effect on people who suffer from dementia. The textures, the gadgets, the warm coziness of the Twiddles® are all there for just that. The stimulation they provide truly adds to the individuals quality of life.
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 and among family members.
Pat Benda, R.N.C., director of nursing at the Scottish Home 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 supported by Corie Larocque, Alzheimer's coordinator for Brighton Gardens in Wheaton, IL. "(The Twiddle®Muffs) immediately helps calm the resident, directing their focus and energy on one thing. In my experience, the muff does reduce the needs for meds."
Twiddle®Muff was featured in the October 2008 issue of Long Term Living Magazine as one of the most innovative new products "worth incorporating into the care plan at your facility." The whole line of Twiddles®is perfect for home care as well.
Twiddle®Muffs come in four varieties, and the Cat is available in two colors, cream and chocolate brown. With the attachments removed they can all be machine washed and dryed.
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