Can “doll therapy” really soothe the emotions of elderly people with dementia?

Dementia is a clinical syndrome characterized by loss of cognitive function, usually manifested as memory impairment, especially recent memory impairment, accompanied by changes in daily life behavior, personality or social behavior, and decreased mobility. Currently, there is no specific treatment for dementia in clinical practice, and drug treatment is prone to adverse reactions. Repeated use of drugs such as antipsychotics may accelerate cognitive decline and increase the risk of falls.

Non-drug therapy is of great significance to patients with dementia. Its main purpose is to enrich the patient's life, promote the patient's health, and reduce potential distress. Non-drug therapy includes reminiscence therapy, music therapy, reality-oriented therapy, horticultural therapy, etc. "Doll therapy" is an emerging non-drug treatment method that is people-centered and people-oriented. It aims to reduce abnormal behaviors and mental and psychological disorders in patients with dementia. It is an intervention method for patients with late-stage dementia and those with agitated and irritable behaviors. So can "doll therapy" really effectively soothe the emotions of elderly people with dementia? The answer is that it varies from person to person. Next, I will introduce doll therapy to you in detail.

| What is doll therapy?

Doll therapy is a non-drug intervention that is used as a treatment for some people with dementia. The effectiveness of this therapy relies on a person's nurturing instinct, which is naturally stronger in some people. This instinct is a major factor in determining whether doll therapy is effective.

| Why “Doll Therapy” Works

1. According to the Alzheimer's Association, this method is widely used in homes and hospitals because it brings incredible changes to elderly people with dementia. Doll therapy improves the negative emotions of dementia patients in the process of implementation in the nursing home, helps the elderly with dementia feel useful and needed, and increases happiness and satisfaction. Similar to the effect of plush toys, hugging soft things helps the elderly with dementia feel comforted and relieved. At the same time, this therapy can also keep patients busy, making the elderly happier and more cheerful when getting along with dolls. When patients with dementia hold dolls, they will show more joy.

2. Another reason why therapeutic dolls are useful is that they can evoke happy memories of early parenthood for elderly people with dementia. Many elderly people like to rock and hug their dolls, and some even treat them as their own children and make caring for "children" part of their daily lives, which can relieve loneliness and sadness. Because studies have found that when interacting with real babies, elderly people with dementia are more energetic and calmer.

3. Increase interaction and promote communication. As the disease progresses, dementia patients are prone to communication barriers. Doll therapy can promote interaction between the elderly and medical staff and other elderly people.

The emotional experience of doll therapy persists over time. After receiving doll therapy, the elders became more willing to talk, smiled more, and their range of activities gradually expanded. In addition, the elders' emotional communication became richer and their emotions became more stable.

| A real case of “doll therapy”

Grandma Wu has Alzheimer's disease and currently lives in a special care area of ​​a social welfare center. Before she was exposed to dolls, she wandered back and forth on the floors every day, trying to escape from the institution. She was emotionally unstable and often went to other elders' rooms to rummage around, even hiding some of other people's daily necessities.

Since she had the baby, Grandma Wu's main task every day has become taking care of the baby. After getting up, she meticulously dresses the baby, then picks the baby up and coaxes him, takes the baby to watch TV, and discusses the baby's situation with other elders on the floor, such as how the baby is doing recently? Is he sick? What nice name should he give the baby? When it's time to rest, Grandma Wu lies on the bed with a peaceful look, hugs the baby next to her, and gently says to the baby: "Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep quickly."

Through the use of doll therapy, we have seen good therapeutic effects on Grandma Wu. In the process of taking care of the dolls, the elders can have some memories of taking care of their children in the past, making their lives fuller and better.

| The controversy surrounding “doll therapy”

Dolls are a safe and low-cost "therapy" for elderly people with dementia. Many family caregivers are relieved to find a non-drug solution to relieve dementia symptoms, and the elderly have become calmer and happier after having their own dolls. However, some caregivers worry that giving an elderly person a doll is disrespectful, and that the image of the elderly singing to or hugging a doll is disturbing. However, helping elderly people with dementia feel safe and happy in their current reality is a top priority.

So if trying some unconventional therapies, such as baby dolls and other simple activities and toys, can help someone with dementia feel better and enjoy life more, why not give it a try? If they are distracted by the dolls, this approach can be abandoned.

| Some problems that may arise with “doll therapy”

1. If the doll is treated incorrectly or not considered as important as other family members, the patient will feel anxious and distressed, so it is best to let everyone (including family and friends) understand the "new member" of the family and treat the doll like a real child.

2. Compared with men, more women prefer doll therapy, but it is important to remember that everyone is different, so it may or may not be effective.

3. Doll therapy may also prolong the discrimination against dementia. Some family members worry that their loved ones will be laughed at for holding a doll.

But when we use doll therapy, we don't want to treat the elder as a child, that's not the real meaning of this activity. In fact, when the elder is with the doll, she will be awake and her whole person will glow.

| Things to note when using "doll therapy"

1. Do not call the doll a doll. Call the doll by the name the patient has given it. 2. Provide a cradle or crib for the doll. 3. Do not buy a doll that cries loudly, which will make the patient more frustrated. 4. Let family and friends know that the patient believes the doll is real and let them treat the doll as such. 5. Try to provide the doll with the same life and scale. 6. Do not force the patient to fall in love with the doll, but let them choose how to interact with the doll. (Picture from the Internet)