Concerns About Therapeutic Dolls
There are some clinicians who are concerned about the use of dolls for people with dementia. They cite the following factors as reasons for their concern:
Treatment With Dignity
Those against the use of dolls for people with Alzheimer’s often are concerned about the dignity of the person. They point out that an adult with memory loss is not a child and shouldn’t be treated as such. In dementia care, we emphasize not using approaches such as elderspeak with older adults, which involves treating the person like a child. Giving an adult a doll could work against this emphasis, causing people to respond with statements such as, “Oh, aren’t they cute?” This can cause the person with dementia to be viewed in a demeaning, “cute” way, instead of as an adult who is living with a memory problem.
Whether or not dolls are used, always be certain to treat all adults as adults, with respect for their life knowledge and contributions to those around them that they’ve made over the years. A diagnosis of dementia does not erase the need to be treated with dignity.
Family Concerns
If facilities are considering using a doll with someone with dementia, contact the power of attorney or responsible party prior to introducing the doll to explain why this approach is being attempted and what the hope is in utilizing it.
Doll Logistics
Misleading the Person
Related Research: Doll Therapy For Alzheimers
A study¹ reported in the Journal of Gerontechnology in 2001 actually used one of the Cuddle Baby dolls . The study reported on the effects that dolls had on a group of people in a long-term care facility in Japan, most whom had dementia, and all who suffered from Sundowners syndrome. For the most part the dolls influenced behavior in a significant way behavior classified as: no reaction, close observation , care giving, and communication with other patients. There was a small group that seemed to be completely uninterested in the dolls, which reinforces our point that doll therapy is not for everyone.
The researchers described the affect caring for a doll had on one subject of the study:
We monitored the activities of an individual patient with and without intervention with . She took extensive care of the baby doll during the intervention period. However, in the absence of the doll, she became agitated and tended to wander around, while during doll intervention she was calm and gentle.
The study reinforces what we know, that for many people with dementia, doll therapy is a meaningful and effective intervention. A bonus is their finding that more realistic looking and feeling dolls were significantly better at soliciting positive responses, and our Cuddle Baby performed the best of three dolls used in the study!
Some Worry Doll Therapy Infantilizes Dementia Patients
Some families worry about their relatives being laughed at when they engage in doll therapy, Mitchell noted. He said he understands those concerns, and even shared them when he worked at a senior residential center. But when one resident requested that he allow her to continue caring for a doll, he soon saw the positive impact of the therapy.
Mitchell said doll therapy can be very beneficial for some people especially those who may get easily distressed or pace obsessively. Having the doll offers them an anchor or a sense of attachment in a time of uncertainty, he said. A lot of people associate the doll with their younger days and having people to care for.
At Sunrise Beverly Hills, the nursery is set up like a babys room. A stuffed bear rests inside the wooden crib. On a shelf above are framed photos of Guzofsky and a few other women who regularly interact with the dolls. A few bottles, a swaddling blanket, a Dr. Seuss book and diapers sit on a nearby changing table.
The nursery is just one of several areas in the Sunrise centers designed to engage residents, said Rita Altman, senior vice president of memory care for Sunrise, which has facilities in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. There are also art centers, offices, gardens and kitchens where residents may find familiar objects from their past.
The executive director of the Beverly Hills facility, Jason Malone, said he was skeptical about the use of dolls when he first heard about them.
Read Also: Vitamins To Help Prevent Dementia
Doll & Pet Therapy For Dementia
Alzheimer’s doll and pet therapy is a known resource in helping those with Dementia. Using a Robotic Pet or a Baby Doll can be a very effective way for a person with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia to decrease stress and agitation. A caregiver can use doll therapy for dementia patients as a way to put responsibility, caring and structure back into the lives of those afflicted with Alzheimer’s. Working with a realistic doll or pet has to be introduced to those with Alzheimer’s very carefully. A doll, dog or cat can be seen as a welcoming gift that reminds them of their youth or the recipient can fear the therapy doll as an unwanted responsibility.
From experience, introducing doll therapy in a controlled atmosphere by allowing the patient to take responsibility rather than giving them the doll to play with, can bring structure to their lives. The dolls and pets can help a person who is not verbalizing to initiate speech again. It is part of the basic thought process to speak, hum or sing to a baby in your arms or a pet on your lap. The therapy dolls can have its clothes washed, folded and put away and then dressed the next day while the pups and kittens need to be pet, brushed and looked after.
A baby doll and animated pet can
The Doll Became Real Before Our Eyes: This Group Delivers Baby Dolls To Alzheimers Patients
Almost 15 years ago, Sandy Cambron noticed her mother-in-law, Pearl Walker, had become withdrawn and quiet after she moved into a nursing home for Alzheimers patients in Shepherdsville, Ky.
We tried everything photo albums, old stories but nothing worked, she said. It was really hard on everyone to see how she had changed.
Then one day, while Cambron was in a toy store, she had an idea: Why not give Pearl a baby doll so she could feel like she was caring for something again? While she was at it, why not give one to all the other care center residents?
The plan worked. As soon as Cambron gave Pearl the doll, wrapped in a soft pink blanket, her mother-in-law’s face lit up.
“She started talking again and she never went anywhere without that baby, said Cambron. She took ‘baby’ to the dining room with her and slept with her in her arms every night. When she passed away a year later, we even buried her with that well-loved baby doll.”
In the following decade, Cambron and her husband, Wayne Cambron, continued to buy dozens of dolls in Pearls memory, dressing them in cute footie pajamas and handing them out to residents of care centers near their home in Shepherdsville every Christmas, instead of giving each other gifts.
Now Pearls Memory Babies is a nonprofit group that has donated more than 300 dolls to seniors with Alzheimers disease or dementia at nursing homes throughout western Kentucky and southern Indiana since February 2018.
Read more:
Don’t Miss: Do Alzheimer’s Patients Stop Speaking
Doll Therapy Gives Alzheimers Patients Purpose And Connection
For some residents, including 87-year-old Marilou Roos, holding the dolls is one of the only times they interact with the staff. Roos is confined to a wheelchair and rarely speaks. She sleeps much of the day.
There is not much can participate in, said Vladimir Kaplun, former coordinator of the secure memory floor. When she spends some time with the babies, she wakes up and she brightens up.
On a recent day, caregiver Jessica Butler sat next to Roos, who held a doll against her chest and patted her on the back. She kissed the doll twice.
The babys beautiful like you, Butler said.
Its a boy, Roos said. Five months.
Is the baby five months? Butler asked. Youre doing a good job holding the baby.
Caring for the dolls is second nature to Roos, who made a career of being a mom to five children and was involved with the PTA, Girl Scouts and other activities, according to her daughter, Ellen Swarts.
Swarts said its been difficult to watch the decline of her mother, who hasnt called her by name in over a year. Watching her with the dolls helps, she said.
To see the light in her eyes when she has a baby in her arms, I dont care if its real or if its pretending, she said. If that gives her comfort, I am A-OK with it.
KHNs coverage in California is funded in part by Blue Shield of California Foundation.
KHNs coverage of aging and long-term care issues is supported by The SCAN Foundation.
Getting Started: Let The Person With Dementia Lead The Way
When initiating doll therapy, its important to let the person with dementia take the lead. If youre presenting a doll to somebody, dont tell them its a living baby if thats not what they want or perceive, Mitchell says. Generally the way we introduce the therapy is we provide the dolls in a space that the person can access on their own, so they can go over and look at it. When we present the doll to the person directly, we would never say that its a human being, but we always hold and cradle it in a way that would not distress the person if they did think it was a baby.
Its important not to force the doll on anyone. Often what we do is present the doll to one person and just watch their eyes to see if theyre interested, notes Mitchell. Some people, even at an advanced stage of dementia, will know its a doll and will not want it. But some people, their eyes light up, and well ask, ‘Do you want to have a hold?’ You can tell in the first few minutes if theres real joy.
It can be very difficult to predict whether someone is going to attach to a doll or not, Mitchell says. The evidence seems to suggest that doll therapy is more effective in women in the middle to late stages of dementia, he adds, but thats not to say men cant engage with it or that you need to have a strong maternal or paternal background. Ive seen people engage with it who have never had any young family.
Read Also: How To Treat Dementia At Home
What Are Therapy Dolls
Therapy dolls, also known as comfort dolls, are specially designed to provide comfort and companionship to people living with medical conditions such as anxiety, dementia and Alzheimers. Often used in nursing homes and memory-care units, they can help reduce anxiety and agitation, while promoting positive social interaction.
Empathy Doll Denim Set
Up to the minute fashion with this Empathy Doll Denim Set, comprising of: 1 x shirt, 1 x trousers, 1 x scarf, 1 x hat and 1 x pair of gloves. People living with a dementia enjoy dressing and undressing dolls and generally caring for them as it unlocks feelings of nurturing and can help give a sense of purpose and relieves boredom. Makes a great gift for a loved one in a care home.
Read Also: What Are The Risk Factors For Dementia
Disadvantages Of Doll Therapy
Caring for dementia patients is a difficult and challenging job. One challenge those caring for them face is the inability of those with dementia to discern physical objects from people. This can lead to many issues, such as increased aggression and reduced eating habits, among others.
For example, if a dementia patient becomes aggressive when one of their dolls is taken away from them, it may cause more problems than it solves.
Along with this, there is also the issue of emotional attachment to the dolls. What I saw in my patients who used dolls, was a strong emotional bond that they experienced with their dolls.
This became problematic only when we had to take the doll away to wash it or clean it somehow. So, we tried our best to include our patients in this task so that they would not get upset. Plus, its a meaningful task which is always a good thing!
Another problem with using doll therapy was with explaining it to the families of the senior with dementia or Alzheimers. The comment I heard the most was Shes not a child. Of course, that is very true.
But the reality is that although the person in front of them appears to be an older adult , the way her mind is now working is no longer of that of an older adult. It has, in many ways, reverted back to a childlike status.
They are adults and we want to treat them like adults
Stephanie Zeverino Community Relations coordinator at Belmont Villate Senior Living in Ft. Lauderdale
Joyk Empathy Doll Heart
Beating heart that will tuck into the pocket of your Joyk Empathy Doll’s outfit and give a calming effect while increasing the feeling of security. 60 beats per minute, this battery-operated addition will help bring your doll to life. Makes a perfect solution for older people living with a dementia in care homes or hospital. Wipe-clean and safe to use for all abilities. Uses 2 x AG13 batteries.
Recommended Reading: Who Treats Alzheimer’s Disease
How Doll Therapy Helps Seniors Living With Dementia
Doll therapy can be a contentious issue, particularly if you have limited experience of dementia. Concerns around dignity are not uncommon. However, experience has shown that doll therapy can have a wonderful effect on some people, bringing a sense of purpose, joy and peace.
It can be heartbreaking to watch a loved one struggling with the symptoms of dementia. Anxiety, depression and agitation can be debilitating but in some instances a therapy doll can provide the right connection to soothe and comfort.
The need to give and receive love is basic to the human condition. People who respond well to doll therapy believe that the doll is a living baby that needs them which can trigger past feelings of care. This provides them with an outlet for giving and receiving unconditional love.
Nina takes great pride in caring for her doll, which reminds her of raising her own children. Nina is pictured here with kind and supportive staff member Shaika. At Mayflower, Doll Therapy is held in a respectful and fun manner, that also honours the residents dignity.
What Are The Best Therapy Dolls For Seniors With Dementia
You know your loved ones best right? If you think this is an appropriate tool to help them cope with their condition, give it a try. It is a cheap, non-drug treatment without side effects. Consider the following therapy dolls to make the most appropriate decision. Perhaps you will even find more than one doll to comfort your loved one.
Price excl. shipping / Last update on 2022-09-29 at 16:20 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Annie Therapy Doll is exclusively designed for seniors with dementia. This cherubic therapy doll engages older adults by boosting their levels of affection and giving them something to nurture. This particular doll brings back old parenting memories, reminding people of happier, simpler times. Dementia patients love cuddling, hugging, and rocking this doll to sleep they even love showing it off to their friends!
Annie helps dementia patients improve communication with their loved ones, reduces feelings of anxiety and withdrawal, and improves their eating habits.
Features
- Lavender scented: The pleasant lavender fragrance helps promote relaxation.
- Fits into doll clothes: The baby doll easily fits into different doll outfits.
- Weighs 3 lbs.: The weight applies a calming therapeutic pressure for added comfort.
- Pretty go-to-sleep eyes: This feature reduces anxiety, and the dementia patient believes that the baby doll is alive.
Features
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Why Do Those Suffering From Dementia Need Therapy Dolls
Dementia patients often feel distressed because they think that other people consider them to be useless. Therapy dolls help them feel useful and needed they resemble real babies and give them something positive to focus on.
Have you ever hugged a soft toy that feels like a stuffed animal? If youve done it, then you may have experienced a nice comforting feeling. Likewise, hugging therapy dolls helps seniors with dementia feel soothed and comforted.
Another added benefit is that therapy dolls bring back happy, comforting memories of early parenthood for many people. They enjoy cuddling and rocking their dolls, and some even adopt the baby-like dolls as their own babies and care for them as part of their everyday routine.
Moreover, caring for the babies also reduces feelings of sadness and isolation. After all, interacting with your own baby is known to lift your spirits and calm your nerves.
How Do You Introduce A Doll To A Dementia Patient
When it comes to introducing therapeutic dolls to dementia patients, it is best to follow a few simple steps. In most cases, the doll should be placed in a location where it will be discovered by the person with dementia, rather than just handed to him or her.
This allows the patient to initiate engagement with the doll if he/she chooses. It also makes it easier to judge whether or not he/she is interested in the doll.
Some tips for introducing a therapy doll to a dementia patient include:
1. Placing the doll in a location where it will be discovered, such as on the bed or at his/her usual spot at a table or desk.
2. Sitting near the person, so that you can see how engaged he/she is with their own baby doll. You may need to sit for a while before he/she notices it and decides if he/she wants to interact with it or not.
3. Speaking calmly and in a normal tone of voice when introducing the doll. This will help to keep him/her from feeling overwhelmed or confused.
4. If he/she seems unsure of what to do you may try to demonstrate how to interact with the doll, such as by giving it a hug.
5. Allowing plenty of time for him/her to interact with the doll. It is important that he/she have the opportunity to explore the doll at his/her own pace.
6. Encouraging him/her to talk about the doll, if he/she wants to, but not pressuring him/her to do so.
8. Cleaning the doll regularly, according to the manufacturers instructions, to ensure that it is safe to use.
Recommended Reading: What Is Reality Orientation In Dementia