Baby Doll Therapy Dementia Activity Ideas

Baby doll therapy dementia activity ideas... are a wonderful way to promote self-esteem and a sense of well being in a person suffering with dementia.

I recently was asked by a family caregiver if it was OK to give her grand mother with dementia, a baby doll. This caregiver has several small children at home, one a 3 year old daughter.

It seems that the 3 year little girl, Bella, has an army of baby dolls. Grandma helps to babysit these baby dolls when Bella shares her dolls.

Bella recently had a birthday, and was given an interactive fur stuffed animal. It’s robotic baby monkey with a banana baby bottle it eats from and it coos and snuggles.

It seems to remind her of a time when her kids were little babies and she held them and talked to them. Her caregiver told me that her grandmother seems to have fewer and fewer good memory days. And latches onto the ones she does have.

This family caregiver asked if she should get a doll for her grandmother and how should she introduce it?

Bella’s monkey was enthralling to grandma. She enjoyed feeding it, changing it and just snuggling it.

Poor 3-year-old Bella, was so frustrated, because grandma thinks EVERYTHING is hers!

Oh, out of the mouths of babes.

Baby dolls and stuffed animals bring such comfort to a person with dementia.

For those that are concerned about how to introduce a stuffed animal or baby doll... here are a few suggestions:

After making your purchase, you may want to leave the stuffed animal or doll out in a common area in the house. A place… where…  your family member will be sure to find it.

For some, it may just showing them the baby doll or stuffed animal and showing it to them.

I find that animal lovers and those that loved to nurture in the past... will take the newfound gift, and sit and rock, sing and enjoy just having something to hold and snuggle.

You may find that your family member with dementia is able to show affection and express love. It is a basic human need to touch. This need is met through this therapy.

I have had many dementia patients still find comfort in their stuffed animal or baby doll... in the last stages of dementia.

Have any questions about the benefits of this type of therapy. Look and learn about PARO

Paro is very expensive for an individual. Here are some alternatives that are wonderful.

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