Baby Love: Therapy for Alzheimer's Sufferers
By Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor
Last updated:
September 29, 2009
Vicki In Wonderland
said...
over 2 years ago
Thanks Paula for your comment. I will plan to get my mother a baby doll for christmas this yr. As you said, now she will love it as a cute gift, later this gift may comfort her.
serioussue
said...
over 2 years ago
my mother just pasted away a few months ago from 8yrs of dementia. her last 4 yrs was in a nursing home. shortly after she was there, i bought her a cute bunny with floppy ears it was the size of a small baby. that was the best present i ever bought her. she loved and cared and talked to that bunny like it was her baby. i believe thats what kept her company and kept her going for 4 more yrs. when she died i wanted the bunny to go with her but i changed my mind at the last minute and decided to keep her with me for my memories.
Paula Spencer Scott
said...
over 2 years ago
dancingbird, I think that when and how people respond to doll therapy varies by individual. She might enjoy it at first just as a sweet gift, as many women collect dolls, and then may or may not take greater comfort in it as time goes by.
pollytnjc
said...
over 2 years ago
My mother is not "there" yet, but I recall how a babydoll really helped my grandmother years ago. She loved that babydoll, and altho she didn't carry it around, she enjoyed having it in her room, and she would laugh about it like she was "in" on some joke, but it always made her smile. I'm all for what works! Course, with me, its probably going to have to be Johnny Depp or Paul McCartney doll.....
Vicki In Wonderland
said...
over 2 years ago
My mom is in the later moderate stage of Alzheimers, would a baby doll soothe her now? Or is the doll therapy best received and helpful when in the late stage?
Thanks!
LKN Caregiver
said...
over 2 years ago
My agency provides care for an elderly woman in the later stages of Alzheimer's, and she loves her baby doll. I'm glad to see that this is recognized as a good therapy for her. We also use Baby Einstein DVDs to entertain her and play with paper dolls with her. She also responds well to very simple puzzles.
