Posted
2 March 2020
Therapy Dolls Boost Wellbeing for Dementia Residents
Activity staff at Rogers House Residential Care Home have created a reminiscent activity for residents, designed to promote calm, wellbeing and boost engagement.
Residents at the Drewery Drive residential care home have been introduced to doll therapy this week, an approach that offers lifelike toys to individuals to improve their comfort, engagement and quality of life in a calming manner.
Whilst it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, some older people, particularly those living with dementia, have found the experience therapeutic and generally beneficial to their wellbeing.
Doll therapy involves offering dolls to people living with dementia with the aim of improving their comfort, interaction and general quality of life. Most evidence in support of doll therapy is anecdotal, though research is mounting. A study in 2007 found it was an effective approach in caring for older people with dementia and Australian research in 2019 cited by the Social Care Institute for Excellence agreed that doll therapy can provide some older people with enjoyment and purposeful engagement.
Jackie Miles, General Manager of Rogers House said: “Doll therapy isn’t for everyone but for some residents, we have noticed the dolls having a really positive impact, those that have taken to it are calmer and engaging better. We’ve found that giving them the opportunity to care for something, brings a real sense of purpose to their day.”
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