Twiddlemuffs and doll donations help residents with dementia

Twiddlemuffs and dolls have been donated to a North Yorkshire care home to help residents with dementia.

Volunteers from two separate groups knitted and donated the therapeutic items to Sycamore Hall Care Home, in Ripon.

The Ripon Cathedral group of the Mothers’ Union Diocese of Leeds dropped off around a dozen handmade twiddlemuffs at the home.

While the volunteer group Comfort Dolls and Twiddles for People With Dementia made a separate donation of twiddlemuffs and several comfort dolls.

A twiddlemuff is a knitted or crocheted handwarmer with accessories such as ribbons and buttons sewn on to them, which help to calm those with dementia by keeping their hands and minds occupied.

Dolls are also used to provide therapeutic effects, particularly for those in the later stages of dementia, with residents being comforted by holding and interacting with them.

Chrissie Medway Steele, home manager at Sycamore Hall Care Home, said: “The donations from both groups came as a surprise but a very welcome one.

“Both twiddlemuffs and dolls provide great therapeutic benefits for our residents with dementia, helping to improve mood and wellbeing.

“A huge thank you to the Mothers’ Union Ripon Group and Comfort Dolls and Twiddles for People With Dementia for making these donations.

Sycamore Hall Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information about twiddlemuffs and doll donations and about Sycamore Hall Care Home visit www.hillcare.net.