Knitted creations help support dementia patients

A keen knitter has donated thousands of handmade knitted distraction toys to Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity to help support dementia patients.

The knitted aids, known as Twiddlemitts, are mittens or hand warmers with beads, buttons and objects sewn onto them to help stimulate the restless hands of dementia patients.

Carole Dilks, a retired Community Nurse, makes the mitts as a distraction instead of watching TV and is proud to have such a positive impact with her creations, “It’s nice to see patients relax when they use them.” Carol explains.

The Twiddlemitts are a welcome resource for the dementia teams across our hospitals.

Jill Matthews, Chief Officer for the Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity, said the charity is always amazed by the commitment of its knitters, “The Twiddlemitts are such simple items but make a huge difference to our patients. We are so grateful to all our knitters for their hard work and kindness.”

Jane Gregory, Senior Sister, Dementia Team, also welcomes the donations. Jane explained, “A stay in hospital can be a strange and disorientating experience for many older people. Providing reassurance, comfort, and activities for people with dementia is essential to support them during a stay in hospital. They are such a simple resource, but they have a hugely positive impact on people living with dementia, making their stay in hospital that little bit easier.”

Carol likes to include large buttons and small stuffed toys on her creations but needs supplies, “All of the things we put on them have different textures.  There’s buttons, ribbons, and bobbles. I include anything that I think would interest the patients,” said Carol.

If you would like to donate any resources for Carol to use in her knitting, please take them to the collection station at the medical library which is located on the 2nd floor of the education centre at the Royal Derby Hospital.

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