Have any of you had experience with providing life-like baby dolls to your loved one (or patients) with Alzheimer's, and if so, have any of them been men? What has your experience been?

One of my uncles had Alzheimer's. They lived far from me, but we got a picture of him once, sitting on a couch holding a large teddy bear. Behind him on the back of the couch were several more stuffed animals. He was about 88 and died soon afterwards.

The thing is, as the disease progresses, the victims become more and more childlike. If they enjoyed dolls and teddy bears as kids, they will also enjoy them as advanced AD patients.

It is a harmless thing, and if it makes them feel happy, go for it!

love,

Martha

My mother enjoyed holding a stuffed animal. We had another friend (with AD) that carried a life like doll around all the time and treated it like a baby. That was one of our clues that there was something wrong. If it comforts them...male or female....so what! It's probably more common in females, but if a male is comforted by a stuffed animal or doll....give them one. At that stage it is about making them comfortable, not about how it looks to others.
God Bless and Prayers,
Choquis

My dad doesn't have dolls or stuffed animals but he has a real toy poodle that he carries around with him almost everywhere he goes and does NOT like being without that dog. He treats the dog just like a stuffed animal. It has to sleep with him and be with him all the time except for when he goes to the bathroom.

I think whether it be a man or woman, stuffed animals or dolls are fine as long as it makes the patient happy and content. That's one of the biggest goals and too often, it's one goal that seems impossible to achieve. So whatever works......

Love, Barb

Doll Therapy, if used properly, can be exceptionally effective ... my ex-charge enjoyed carrying around a little stuffed dog, yet I know of another lady who has a proper (expensive) therapy doll ... and yes, there are a couple of gentlemen who enjoy cuddling a doll or even taking 'baby' outside in a stroller for a turn around the garden.

Doll therapy can be a great distraction if an unwanted behaviour is happening or about to happen, and it can also sooth if the person involved is upset.

It can also backfire big time (I've raised enough kids, why you giving this to me? Take it away ......... !) which doesn't mean it won't always work, just not that time.

Give it a go.

This reminds me of many years ago when I visited my MIL in a nursing home, I saw this little old lady in a wheelchair with a doll. I had my daughter (who was only about 7) with me and she got very upset because this little old lady was spanking this doll saying you naughty girl. She spanked her the whole time we were there. She was really getting her frustrations out on that doll. Makes me wonder what kind of life this poor soul had. Just thought I would share this with you.
Jan

i have seen dolls used very successfuly with some people,

we had one lady who was constantly looking and calling for her children. we gave her a soft cuddly baby doll and she was so happy! she nursed it , sang to it, wrrapped it , burped it, she must have been a wonderful mum judging by the way she cared for it. she was much more happy and settled with it..
other people don't like it or just ignore it
you will soon know if it is helpful by the persons response so just try it and see what happens.

lollylegs

Hi Everyone,

I just have a question. How far advanced do yall think an alzheimers person has to be to want/need a teddy bear (male).

My dads middle name in Theodore (Teddy). His 80th birthday is in January. We are hoping that he can still understand, somewhat. Just have to wait and see on that.

I was thinking of buying a nice, soft cuddly bear and putting the name Teddy on it.

Got any ideas of stage wise, as to when to give something like that?

Thanks, Love, Wannabe

Never too old, and never too advanced.

:-) LOL :-)

Hugs

My mum used to carry a baby doll because she thought we were all still babies and she spent a lot of time getting upset that the "baby " was lost or alone. Giving her the doll meant she was easier to calm and not so upset. As the disease advanced she justheld on to the doll as if it were some sort of security blanket. She was losing recognition of most peolpe and things areound her but she has managed to hang on to the doll. In the earlier stages she used to "look after " the doll and this gave her something to do. She does not do that anymore though.

My mom always loved dolls, too. And now, even more so. She has several from her collection with her and talks about them all the time. She's even made up histories for all the dolls, though none are accurate. It makes her happy.

For the past couple months, visits with mom have been so depressing. All she can talk about is getting out, running away, killing herself. We've tried everything.

Well, yesterday when I arrived, one of the girls who works there had had a problem finding a babysitter. The lady who runs the place allowed her to bring her 4 year old to work with her. Oh my goodness! This little boy loves my mom and follows her everywhere. She was on cloud-nine all day.

When I first arrived, they took him out of her room and closed the door. We could hear him wailing outside and Mom was upset. I opened the door and allowed him to play in her room and she was as content as could be. He was up and down in her lap, and when I finally left, she was fast asleep in her recliner with the little boy napping on her lap. A great day for mom!