Doll Therapy for Alzheimer’s — Not for Everyone

The nurturing instinct is strong. This instinct is a big part of the reason that doll therapy is so effective. On the other hand, it can lead to some problems that should be watched for when introducing dolls as therapy. In community settings, ownership issues have led to arguments between residents. Anxiety can result from dolls being mislaid. Redirecting attention until the lost doll is found will usually defuse this potential calamity.

Family members of caregivers sometimes see the use of dolls as demeaning. From the study in Age and Aging cited above:

A question concerning the carers’ ‘initial impression of the use of dolls when they first heard about them’ had intended to capture staff’s misgivings. Three staff reported major concerns, six had minor concerns, 16 were neutral, six were mildly positive and 15 were very positive from the outset. .. 13% of carers recorded that they had misgivings—carer quotes included: ‘Thought it was babyish’; ‘. . . totally demeaning’; ‘. . . patronising’; ‘inappropriate . . ., thought it would confuse residents further..

These concerns can be even more pronounced when trying to convince family care partners that their loved one might benefit from a doll. Another study² reported, “there had been some problems using the dolls, such as arguments between residents over ownership of dolls, residents trying to feed their dolls, and dolls being mislaid leading to distress. In addition, some staff working in homes felt that the dolls may be infantilising residents.”

but having seen the way residents react when using the doll opinion has changed’.

Other considerations: “Despite these positive findings,

* We should repeat here that doll therapy is not for everyone. If you see that it is more problematic than beneficial, discontinue it in favor of some alternate non-pharmacological therapy.

Guidelines for Doll Therapy For Alzheimer’s Disease

Doll therapy (also known as baby doll therapy) is not for everyone. More women than men will choose a doll to nurture, but some men do benefit greatly from holding a doll, so don’t rule out doll therapy for the man or men in your care. Another option to the doll is a Teddy Bear or other stuffed animal. We have a selection of bears and other animals that provide aromatherapy and heat and cold therapy as well as the therapy provided by the act of nurturing. Our best-selling Twiddle Pup and Twiddle Cats, in certain cases, would even qualify for doll therapy.

Providing doll therapy for Alzheimer’s disease

Choose a doll that is lifelike. One that looks like a real baby, is 15 – 20 inches long, and weighs 3 – 6 pounds will get a much better response and result than one that is smaller or unrealistic looking, or one that looks like an older child. This is not to say that other dolls can’t be effective, but our recommendation is evidence based¹.

We recommend a doll that represents an age from newborn to a year or so in age. Dolls that look like toddlers may work for some, but most people with dementia will connect better with a younger looking doll.

Do not hand a person a doll – people don’t like responsibility imposed upon them. Place the doll where it can be discovered, or hold it yourself. Allow the individual to choose the responsibility of caring for the baby.

Some people with dementia will think that the doll is a real baby. Others will know that it is just a doll, but love it just the same. Some will think it is alive one day, and know it is a doll the next. Be careful how you refer to the doll. If it has a name, refer to it by that name.

There are potential drawbacks to doll therapy. It is not for everyone with dementia. Until a bond is created between the individual and his or her doll, be alert to behaviors that may indicate that a connection will likely not happen. There are other therapies and activities that may suit that person better.

Introducing the therapy doll

[pullquote]He’s a different man with a doll in his hand. I found out more about him—the tender side.

~ Caregiver[/pullquote]It is important that a doll not be given directly to the person with Alzheimer’s disease. Rather it should be left somewhere, on a table or sitting in a chair, for example, somewhere that she will easily find it. This way the individual can make the choice to provide care for the doll, not feel that they are being given the responsibility to do so, which could cause anxiety or result in the doll being rejected.

For Doll Therapy to be effective, it is recommended that you use a doll that is as lifelike as possible. Introduce the doll in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s, or even in an earlier stage, depending on the individual. Often when introduced later, the person fails to or has a more difficult time making a connection with the doll. Once the connection has been made, the rest is easy. It’s a self-administering therapy