Dementia can affect memory, communication, mood and the way a person experiences the world around them. As the condition progresses, familiar routines and comforting objects can become increasingly important.
Doll therapy is one approach that some families and care professionals use to provide comfort and reassurance for people living with dementia. While it is not suitable for everyone, a lifelike doll can sometimes offer a sense of companionship, purpose and familiarity.
Understanding how doll therapy works and why it may help can allow families to decide whether it could be a positive addition to a loved one’s dementia care.
What is doll therapy in dementia care?
Doll therapy involves introducing a realistic-looking doll to a person living with dementia and allowing them to interact with it in a way that feels natural to them.
The approach is sometimes known as therapeutic doll therapy or attachment-based doll therapy. It is based on the idea that caring for a doll may provide comfort and encourage feelings of connection, particularly for someone who has previously enjoyed caring for children or has a strong nurturing instinct.
A person might hold, dress, talk to or simply sit with the doll. There is no set way that someone needs to interact with it. The important thing is that the experience feels comforting rather than forced.
Doll therapy is not intended to suggest that a person living with dementia is behaving like a child. Instead, it can provide a familiar activity that gives them an opportunity to express emotions and feel needed.
How can doll therapy help someone with dementia?
The effects of doll therapy can vary considerably from one person to another. For some people, having a doll nearby can provide reassurance during moments of anxiety or distress.
Potential benefits may include:
- Comfort and reassurance: Holding or caring for a doll may help someone feel calmer when they are distressed.
- Companionship: A doll can provide a comforting presence, particularly for someone who spends periods of time alone.
- A sense of purpose: Looking after the doll can give someone a simple activity and something to focus on.
- Encouraging communication: Talking about the doll may encourage conversation and interaction with family members or carers.
- Supporting familiar routines: Caring for a doll may replicate activities that were once an important part of someone’s daily life.
- Reducing distress: For some people, doll therapy may help redirect attention during periods of agitation or anxiety.
It is important to remember that dementia affects everyone differently. What feels reassuring to one person may be confusing or unwelcome to another.
When might doll therapy be useful?
Doll therapy may be particularly helpful when a person living with dementia experiences periods of anxiety, loneliness or distress.
For example, someone might become unsettled in the evening or repeatedly ask about a family member who is no longer living. Offering a doll may provide something tangible and familiar to focus on.
It may also be useful for someone who has always enjoyed caring for others. Giving them the opportunity to nurture and care for a doll can recreate aspects of a familiar role.
However, doll therapy should always be introduced sensitively. There is no need to persuade someone to use a doll if they show no interest in it.
How to introduce a doll to someone with dementia
If you think doll therapy could benefit your loved one, introduce the doll gradually and see how they respond.
Choose a realistic doll that is comfortable to hold and appropriate for the person’s preferences. Some people may respond better to a weighted doll that feels more natural to hold, while others may prefer a lighter option.
You could:
- Place the doll somewhere your loved one can see it without insisting they pick it up
- Allow them to decide whether they want to interact with it
- Offer simple items such as a blanket or clothes if they enjoy caring for it
- Talk naturally about the doll if they initiate a conversation
- Give them time to develop their own relationship with it
- Observe their response and stop if it appears to cause distress or confusion
The aim is to follow the person’s lead rather than dictate how they should interact with the doll.
What should families consider?
Doll therapy can be beneficial, but it is not appropriate for everyone. Families should consider their loved one’s personality, preferences and stage of dementia before introducing it.
It is also important to respect how the person understands the doll. If they believe it is a real baby, correcting them or repeatedly explaining that it is only a doll could cause unnecessary distress.
Instead, carers can respond to the emotions behind what the person is saying. If they appear happy and reassured while caring for the doll, there may be no need to challenge their perception.
Families should also make sure that everyone involved in the person’s care understands how the doll is being used. It should never be taken away simply as a behavioural management technique, particularly if the person has developed a strong attachment to it.
Can doll therapy be used alongside dementia care?
Doll therapy should be viewed as one possible activity within a wider, personalised approach to dementia care.
Someone living with dementia may benefit from a combination of companionship, familiar routines, meaningful activities and practical support. As their needs change, the type and level of care they require may change too.
Live-in care can provide continuity and personalised support for someone who wishes to remain at home. A live-in carer can help with everyday routines, companionship, personal care and activities while taking the individual’s preferences into account.
For families considering care for someone living with dementia, it can be helpful to look at the wider picture rather than focusing on a single activity or approach.
Is doll therapy suitable for everyone with dementia?
There is no single approach to dementia care that works for everyone.
Some people may form a strong attachment to a doll and find the experience soothing, while others may have no interest in it or find it confusing. A person’s response may also change as their dementia progresses.
The most important consideration is whether the activity contributes positively to their wellbeing. If your loved one becomes happier, calmer or more engaged when interacting with the doll, it may be worth incorporating it into their routine. If they become upset or frustrated, it may be better to try a different activity.
How Patricia White’s can support someone living with dementia
At Patricia White’s, we understand that supporting someone with dementia involves much more than helping with practical tasks. Familiar routines, meaningful activities and a sense of independence can all contribute to someone’s quality of life.
Our live-in care service provides personalised support in the comfort of your loved one’s own home. We take the time to understand each client’s routines, personality, interests and preferences before introducing them to a suitable carer.
A live-in carer can provide companionship and practical assistance throughout the day while helping your loved one maintain familiar routines and continue doing the things they enjoy.
If you are considering care for a loved one living with dementia, call Patricia White’s on 01293 224708 or complete our online enquiry form. Our team can talk through your circumstances and the care options available.
