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…

• Calm someone who is upset
• Provide endless hours of hugs and smiles
• Lull a person to sleep
• Create a distraction from a dangerous, harmful or upsetting event
• Serve as an attention-getter
• Provide a tool for social interaction
• Regenerate warm, nurturing feelings of once again caring for a child or pet
• Make it possible for someone, totally dependent upon others, to care for ‘someone or something’ else

Nothing eases distress and agitation as quickly or effectively as a friend. Our pets and Alzheimer’s dolls are more than just toys, they are a source of comfort and security when your loved one needs it most. Having a small, familiar face to cradle and care for creates an engaging environment that encourages Alzheimer’s patients to interact and encourages healthy emotional responses. These therapies are more than just a distraction; they provide an outlet for someone to step out of their world of being totally dependent on others and to feel like they have something that depends on them. Memory loss therapy is never an easy process, but it can be made easier with the appropriate tools and tactics. Doll and pet therapy allows patients to be a participant in their own healthcare, rather than just a subject.

If you would like to order one of our dolls or pets by phone, or if you have a story of your own that you would like to share, give us a call at 1-800-752-3238.