what is doll therapy?

Doll Therapy is giving dementia patients dolls. When the patient becomes attached to the doll it seems to decrease aggitation and increase the interaction between patients, staff, and visitors. Some know they are dolls and some think they are real (not just babies but people they know). For those that accept the dolls it is a benefit to the patient. They tend to transfer their emotional state to the doll and satisfies their need for attachment. It gives them an opportunity to play or gives them a sense of purpose. Depending on the patient they can provide many benefits.

Hope this helped....

Love, Deb

Well done Deb !! Perfect.

I have had quite a few dementia residents enjoy our therapy doll (although the fight over the 'baby' was a bit distressing at the time :confused: ).

Doll therapy is a doll who weighs a similar amount as a newborn, has floppy limbs and open/close eyes. It's not a 'kids' toy that wets and makes noises, because these dolls retail for about $600AU (rough estimate). That being said, depending on the cognition of the person needing it, a child's toy can still be suitable, as can a teddy bear or a childs 'learning bear' where they have buttons and zips and velcro to play with.

Another therapy we came across was when one of our staff created a fabric 'book'. Using different textures, laces and other decorative items (being careful with buttons). She also had a 'page' that had garter belt straps and stocking type material to attack to it. Absolutely brilliant. The ones with buttons are for the more cognitive .. the ones without for those who have diminished cognition.

Therapy, when used properly, is fantastic and worthwhile, however, some therapy's can be overused and become useless when staff are dependent on the resident being calm with the therapy doll.

That's all from the desk of research now ....... Cheers :-)