"Twiddle muff" is a sensory therapy tool designed to help alleviate certain symptoms of dementia. It is a knitted, crocheted, felted or weaved muff (kind of sleeve or glove in which hands can be placed from both sides) used to keep Alzheimer and other dementia patients' hands warm and occupied. It has a lot of knitted, crocheted or felted details attached on the outside and on the inside of the muff which patients can explore and twiddle with their fingers.

Twiddle muffs are vivid in color and texture and as such they provide visual, tactile and sensory stimulation while ensuring that hands of the patients are tucked in and warm. In addition to comforting and calming patients down, they stimulate their motor skills and cognition. This non-drug method has been recognized in clinical practice to be an effective complement to medication, without the risk of additional side effects. They are a useful aid when caring for people with neuro-degenerative disorders, both at home and in institutions.

“Many thanks for this pretty Twiddle muff which has proved to be very useful for my wife, who is more relaxed and calmer when she has it in her hands. Thank you again, and well done Les Made-laines!” (The twiddle muff was donated to a lady living at home with dementia) “The residents we gave the twiddle muffs to loved them. They are people with whom it is often difficult to connect, because of the behavioral changes arising in the late stages of the disease.” (Marine M , psychomotor therapist working in a care home for the elderly) “Some of them, who hardly speak at all now, say a few well-constructed sentences, brought on by the warmth and softness of the twiddle muffs. Certain residents who are quickly agitated when we speak to them, are calm, and communicate with us. The colors and the texture of the twiddle muffs awaken memories for the residents, and this creates emotion.” (Marine M , psychomotor therapist working in a care home for the elderly) We have integrated this great therapeutic aid into our special activities trolley which is used in the framework of non-drug therapies to help reduce certain behavioral symptoms. (Marine M , psychomotor therapist working in a care home for the elderly) Many thanks to you and the volunteer knitters who made these wonderful creations which have brought life back into our special (Alzheimer) unit.” (Marine M , psychomotor therapist working in a care home for the elderly) “How can you not be convinced of the therapeutic power of twiddle muffs when caring for people with neurodegenerative disorders on a daily basis! Very quickly they become essential aids, stimulating sensory and emotional memory, thus making it possible to connect people whose cognitive capacities have been weakened, with their environment. (Stone Engels, Psychologist working in a care home for the elderly) Each twiddle muff is unique, and so motivates a natural curiosity. The contrasts of colors, materials, textures, make you want to touch it. For people suffering from neurodegenerative disorders, making a choice and expressing it can be difficult. They often avoid taking initiative, as a result of the experience of repeated failures. For that reason, I usually lay out all the twiddle muffs on a table, and let people go freely towards the one they want to discover and manipulate. Without rules or instructions, failure doesn’t exist. Sensory stimulation activates emotional stimulation, which in turn opens the drawers of memories. (Stone Engels, Psychologist working in a care home for the elderly) It is interesting to observe how residents make these twiddle muffs their own, and discover the roles assigned to them by their users. A pure "scientific object”, it’s observed, manipulated, tested, sometimes even tasted. It arouses an element of surprise, therefore awakening interest, reflection, and imagination. It is not uncommon to hear speech reactivated in people for whom the channel of verbal communication is no longer a priority: firstly onomatopoeia, then words, followed by sentences. (Stone Engels, Psychologist working in a care home for the elderly) The softness and warmth of the twiddle muffs seem to bring to life a reassuring, regressive (maternal) memory that acts on the person's mental state. The twiddle muffs soothe anxieties, reduce behavioral disorders, and apathy. Very quickly the twiddle muff becomes a partner, an object of mediation, a transitional object, an object of comfort that attracts everyone’s attention and interest. It is therefore not uncommon to hear people whose cognitive skills are preserved, ask for one.” (Stone Engels, Psychologist working in a care home for the elderly) “I work as a care assistant in a residential home for the elderly. I find twiddle muffs help ease anxiety for residents suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. At first, I would give twiddle muffs to those who I thought would benefit from them, but now they are left at the residents’ disposal. They can help themselves when they feel the need. During lockdown, the twiddle muffs were really helpful to soothe and calm residents who were often confined to their bedrooms.” (Cristelle, care assistant ) “I’ve just returned from delivering my twiddle muffs. What an emotional experience! One lady picked up a twiddle muff, and said ‘it’s so soft’ whilst cuddling up to it. Her face lit up. I was really moved, and am so happy to have brought some comfort and happiness to the residents.” (Sylvie, volunteer knitter and ambassador for Les Made-laines) “I found out about twiddle muffs a few months ago and immediately wanted to try making one. I make each twiddle muff on a theme which comes to mind, and I go for it. As the creation progresses, I imagine the person for whom I’m knitting it. I try as much as I can to use diverse materials so there’s the greatest variety of pleasant tactile sensations. I close my eyes, and I touch the twiddle muff as I’m making it… Each creation gives me a feeling of wellness and satisfaction that I’ve done something useful. I know that my twiddle muffs will help bring comfort and pleasure to someone suffering from dementia.” (Christine - volunteer knitter) “When I crochet a twiddle muff, I feel like I’m taking care of the person who will gain enjoyment or pleasure from it. This in turn gives me much gratification, and has a calming effect on me. The first source of pleasure is to embark on the creative venture with different materials, without knowing in advance what the twiddle muff will look like once finished; it’s already a sensory journey for me. Once the twiddle muff has been crocheted, the next stage is just as exciting, through the embellishments we add to make it unique. (Colette C - volunteer crocheter ) As I’m making the twiddle muff the person who will use it is always at the forefront of my mind. How can I offer something pretty, colorful and attractive? Not too ‘child-like’, whilst still being fun and interesting, safe, as well as soothing and intriguing ? (Colette C - volunteer crocheter ) The greatest reward is seeing the expressions of the people who receive my twiddle muffs as they use them; it’s always very moving. (Colette C - volunteer crocheter ) These twiddle muffs are wonderful tools which bring just as much to those who benefit from them as those who make them.” (Colette C - volunteer crocheter )

Click below to access the application form: Application form in Portuguese:

Click below to access the Guidelines: Guidelines in Portuguese:

Click below to access the Timeline:

Regional Coordinators are groups or individuals acting as facilitators for other groups and individuals within that country, being responsible for collecting the twiddle muffs aimed for the Awards, reassuring that all the requirements are met, doing the pre-selection and sending the selection of maximum 25 twiddle muffs per country to Zagreb. They are also responsible for registering the number of twiddle muffs made in their country. Click below to access the Regional Coordinators table:

Click below to access the Awards leaflet

awards@ewe.network