Caring for a loved one with dementia comes with challenges that impact many areas of life, but it is also rewarding as you offer them essential care and support. Families often strive to find ways to make sure that their loved ones feel safe, cared for, and emotionally supported.
One unconventional yet increasingly recognised approach to dementia care that is used to improve overall well-being, is doll therapy. What may initially seem like child’s play is, in fact, a thoughtful and therapeutic tool that has shown immense potential for soothing a person who is living with dementia’s anxiety, promoting emotional connection, and even improving their quality of life.
Here at Access Care, our 30+ years of experience as a live-in care agency in the UK have shown us just how impactful personalised care methods can be. That’s why we’re exploring the many ways families and live-in carers can benefit from incorporating doll therapy into their dementia care solutions.
In our next Access Care guide we will cover all that there is to need to know about doll therapy in dementia care and specifically dementia care at home, including what it is, how it works, its benefits, practical tips for implementation, and considerations for families and live-in carers.
What is Doll Therapy?
Doll therapy, also commonly known as doll-based therapy or using dolls in dementia care, involves the use of lifelike dolls or soft toys to help people living with dementia manage their symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, and any feelings of distress.
Contrary to the belief that doll therapy is a patronising or trivial activity, it is rooted in the therapeutic benefits of nostalgia, sensory engagement, and emotional connection. For those live-in care clients or loved ones with dementia, holding or caring for a doll can bring them feelings of calmness, joy, and purpose. It can also serve as a bridge to memories of parenthood, caregiving, or simply nurturing something meaningful.
This form of therapy is often used for people who are in the later stages of dementia, though it can benefit those at varying stages depending on their needs and preferences.
The Benefits of Doll Therapy in Dementia Care
Here are a few of the ways that doll therapy can enhance dementia care at home:
1. Reduces Anxiety and Distress
Live-in care clients or loved ones with dementia may experience moments of intense confusion or emotional distress, such as the phenomenon known as "sundowning," which often occurs in the evening time.
Having a doll to hold and focus on can offer your live-in care client or loved one a calming distraction and promote feelings of safety and structure.
2. Promotes Emotional Well-Being
Holding a doll or soft toy can help to ignite feelings of love, purpose, and comfort. These emotions often carry over into the live-in care client or loved ones overall mood, reducing any feelings of loneliness and isolation. This is particularly important for live-in care clients who may struggle to connect with the world around them due to cognitive decline.
3. Encourages Communication
For those who find communicating verbally a challenge, a doll can offer new ways for them to connect. It can act as a point of conversation for family members or live-in carers . They might notice that their live-in care client may begin talking to or about the doll, creating opportunities for engagement and understanding.
4. Restores a Sense of Purpose
One of the heartbreaking realities of living with dementia is the loss of independence that the person with it experiences. Doll therapy can help restore a sense of purpose through nurturing activities. By “caring” for the doll, holding it, dressing it, or tucking it in, live-in care clients may experience a renewed sense of meaning in their daily lives.
5. Helps to Build a Connection Among Families
For families, particularly younger members such as grandchildren, engaging with a loved one through doll therapy can bridge generational gaps. It can help to create opportunities for interaction and moments of shared closeness that don’t involve or need verbal communication.
How to Incorporate Doll Therapy into Dementia Care at Home
Step 1: Introduce It To Your Live-in Care Client Gradually
Don’t hand the live-in care client a doll or soft toy and expect an immediate connection. Instead, gently introduce the doll or soft toy by placing it down somewhere visible, such as on a chair or table. Give your live-in care clients a chance to discover it in their own time.
If they do show a natural interest, you might casually start up a conversation about the doll or teddy. For example, you could perhaps say, “Isn’t it a cute little teddy?” or “Doesn’t she have a lovely smile?”
If they don’t respond, don’t force the interaction. Some live-in care clients just simply aren’t interested, and that’s okay. You could always try again at a later date with a different approach.
Step 2: Opt for Simple and Affordable Options
There is no need to buy expensive dolls that are marketed specifically for dementia care, ordinary dolls or soft toys can and will work just as well. Experiment with different types (lifelike dolls, soft toy animals, etc.) to see which resonates most with your live-in care client.
Step 3: Observe Their Responses
Pay attention to how your live-in care client interacts with the doll or teddy. Do they talk to it? Hold it? Smile at it? These behaviors can give you clues about how they feel and what role the doll might play in their daily care routine.
Step 4: Use It to Promote Conversation
If and when your live-in care client has connected to the doll/teddy, it can serve as a useful tool for meaningful engagement. You could ask questions or mention things about the doll, using it as a way to chat and make a connection.
Example of things to mention might include:
For a doll: “Doesn’t she have a lovely dress?”
For a soft toy animal: “Doesn’t it look like Max, the dog you used to have?”
Step 5: Maintain Boundaries
Make sure if there are others in the home that they understand the significance and purpose of the doll. For instance, if young children tend to come over, it’s helpful to set boundaries with them to avoid upsetting their loved one.
Additionally, if your live-in care client becomes overly attached to the teddy, and starts to show behaviours such as neglecting their own care to focus solely on it, introduce structures like “babysitting” or limiting its presence at mealtimes.
The Role of Live-In Carers in Doll Therapy
For families using live-in care services like those provided by us here at Access Care, doll therapy can be seamlessly integrated into a loved one’s care solutions.
Live-in carers are highly experienced in delivering person-centered live-in care support for their client, they can identify when doll therapy might be suitable for their live-in care client and help facilitate its use.
Here’s how a live-in carer can support doll therapy effectively:
Introduce them to their live-in care client and monitor the use of dolls or soft toys with sensitivity.
Incorporate doll therapy into their live-in care clients daily routines in a way that complements other activities.
Communicate openly with their live-in care clients family members about the observed benefits and any adjustments needed.
At Access Care, we understand the importance of holistic care that goes beyond just the physical needs of our live-in care clients. Our live-in carers are trained to provide emotional and social support for their live-in care clients and make sure that they can safely stay in their own home while also enjoying a better quality of life overall.
Considerations When Using Doll Therapy
To make sure that doll therapy is a really positive experience for a live-in care client, be sure to keep these points in mind:
Respect Autonomy: Allow the live-in care client with dementia to choose whether or not they want to engage with the doll/teddy.
Communicate with Loved Ones: Discuss the role of the doll/teddy with family members to address any concerns or misconceptions that they may initially have.
Have a Backup: Consider having a duplicate doll/teddy in case the original is lost or damaged.
Introduction to Live-In Care and Supporting People Living with Dementia
Live-in care provides a personalised and compassionate approach to supporting people living with dementia. Offering one-on-one live-in care help within the familiar surroundings of their own home, this care model is centered on maintaining a live-in care client’s dignity, as well as their independence, and comfort.
Here are the key benefits and aspects of live-in care for people living with dementia:
Continual Support at Home
Living in a familiar environment can really reduce confusion and agitation for those live-in care clients living with dementia. With live-in care, your loved one can stay at home, in a space they know and cherish, surrounded by their own personal belongings, memories, and routines that help to ground them.
Tailored, Person-Centered Care Solutions
Live-in care prioritises individualised care. Live-in carers design plans around their live-in care clients own unique preferences, needs, and abilities, which helps to make sure that they receive the right support at the right time. This approach also includes adapting to changes in their cognitive, physical, and emotional needs over time.
Consistency in Live-in Carer Relationships
Regular interaction with the same live-in carer helps to create trust and builds a close bond between live-in carer and client. Having consistency also helps to lessen any anxiety that the client may have, as many people with dementia may become distressed when dealing with new faces or changes to their daily routine.
Supervision for Safety
Dementia often brings about safety challenges, such as wandering, difficulties with cooking appliances, or forgetting medications. Live-in carers provide the necessary oversight to prevent accidents, ensuring that they stay safe and secure at all times, day or night.
Assistance with Medication Management
Forgetting or mismanaging medications is a common problem for people who are living with a diagnosis of dementia. Live-in carers can oversee their live-in care client’s medication schedules, provide them with reminders, or give them any necessary medications to make sure that they stick to their treatment plans.
Encouragement of Routines and Activities
Establishing and keeping to a daily routine helps create stability for people with dementia. Live-in carers can use routines that align with their client’s cognitive and emotional needs, including getting them to take part in meaningful activities like listening to music, drawing, cooking, or light exercises to stimulate both their mind and body.
Improved Emotional Well-Being
Unfortunately dementia can often cause isolation and loneliness. Live-in carers not only provide physical support but also offer companionship and emotional engagement, fostering a sense of connection even as communication may become more difficult.
Support for Family Members
Caring for someone with dementia can often be physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing for families. Live-in care helps to lift this burden by making sure that your loved one receives consistent care while allowing family members to focus on maintaining a healthy relationship without the strain of full-time caring for a family member.
Nutritional Support and Meal Preparation
People with dementia may forget to eat or struggle with recognising hunger signals. Live-in carers are able to ensure that their live-in care client is eating properly by preparing balanced meals and making mealtimes a comfortable and positive experience.
Promotion of Cognitive Stimulation
Engaging activities and sensory experiences can help maintain cognitive function and elevate mood. Live-in carers can incorporate games, puzzles, conversations, or reminiscence activities that are designed to help people recall memories and maintain engagement with their environment.
24/7 Availability and Peace of Mind
Whether it’s during the day or through the middle of the night, live-in carers can be a constant presence and assistance, offering peace of mind for both their live-in care client and their family in knowing that help is always on-hand.
Facilitation of Social Connections
Live-in carers often support staying connected with family and friends, either by organising visits or setting up phone or video calls. Maintaining social bonds is so important to combating isolation and improving overall quality of life.
Flexible Care Levels
Dementia progresses at different rates for everyone, and live-in care offers a flexibility to address varying stages of the disease. From light help and support in early stages to comprehensive care in advanced stages, live-in care adjusts as client’s needs evolve.
Focus on Preserving Dignity
In-home dementia care involves sensitive tasks like hygiene or dressing. Live-in carers approach these responsibilities with respect and discretion, helping clients feel dignified and respected throughout their care.
Expertise in Dementia-Specific Strategies
Many live-in carers are trained in dementia-specific techniques, such as validating emotions, employing redirection methods during confusion, and recognising nonverbal expressions of needs or discomfort, which can really enhance care delivery.
Live-in care for people with dementia means that they can remain in a familiar, supportive environment while preserving their quality of life. By addressing their specific needs holistically, this approach offers an invaluable solution for both live-in care clients and their families, creating a harmonious balance of care and independence.
Why Personalised Care Matters
Doll therapy acts as a reminder that personalised, empathetic care can make all the difference in your loved one’s life. By remaining in their own familiar home environment with the support of a home carer, your loved one can get involved with therapies like this in a way that feels natural to them and supported. At Access Care, we’re passionate about helping our live-in care clients and their families find the right care solution for their loved ones.
Our live-in carers work to create a bespoke experience tailored to their clients individual needs, ensuring quality live-in care backed by years of expertise. If you’d like to find out more about how a live-in carer could transform dementia care for your loved one, contact us today.
Charities That Support Those Living with Dementia and Their Loved Ones (UK)
There are lots of charities and organisations in the UK that are dedicated to supporting people living with dementia as well as their families. These charities provide valuable resources, advice, and services to improve quality of life and offer much-needed help and assistance.
Alzheimer’s Society
One of the leading dementia charities in the UK, the Alzheimer’s Society offers a wealth of invaluable resources, including a helpline, local support groups, and online forums. Their Dementia Connect service provides personalised information and guidance tailored to individuals’ needs.
Dementia UK
Dementia UK focuses on providing specialist dementia support through its team of Admiral Nurses. These highly skilled professionals work with families to offer practical advice, emotional support, and strategies for managing dementia effectively. If you're interested in learning more about how doll therapy can support a loved one with dementia, including the benefits and practical applications, Dementia UK offers a lots of helpful information and resources on the topic. You can explore their detailed guide on doll therapy here.
Age UK
Age UK supports older people, including those who are living with dementia, through a range of different services such as local community activities, befriending programs, and advice on legal and financial issues related to dementia.
Young Dementia UK
Tailored specifically for people who have been diagnosed with young-onset dementia, this charity provides a wealth of invaluable information, peer support, and advocacy for younger people and their families navigating the challenges of dementia.
Marie Curie
While primarily known for palliative care, Marie Curie also helps and supports people with dementia and their families by offering care services, expert guidance, and resources on managing the later stages of the condition.
Carers UK
Recognising the important role of unpaid family carers, Carers UK provides extensive resources, advice, and support for those looking after loved ones with dementia, helping families cope with the demands of caring.
The Lewy Body Society
Focused on a specific type of dementia, this charity raises awareness about Lewy Body Dementia and provides support to those who are affected, as well as funding research to improve understanding and treatment options.
These charities play an important role in providing practical help and support and emotional comfort to those who are impacted by dementia. If you or a loved one are seeking support, reaching out to one of these organisations can be a great first step.
Who We Are at Access Care and Our Work with Dementia Clients
At Access Care, we are dedicated to providing compassionate and personalised live-in care that empowers people to live with dignity and independence in the comfort of their own homes. Our mission is to match highly trained and empathetic live-in carers with families in need of support, creating a partnership that enhances the lives of those we work with.
When it comes to working with dementia live-in care clients, we understand the complexities of the condition and the unique challenges that it often presents.
Our live-in carers are carefully chosen and trained to provide holistic, dementia-focused care that revolves around the live-in care clients needs, preferences, and personality.
By focusing on familiarity and stability in the home environment, we aim to lessen any anxiety that our live-in care clients might be feeling and promote a sense of security for them. Our approach to live-in care is guided by empathy, respect, and expertise in dementia care.
We take pride in empowering families by offering tailored live-in care solutions and ongoing guidance through every stage of dementia progression.
At Access Care, we believe that every live-in care client deserves to receive the best care possible, enabling them to live their lives fully, with comfort and respect.
Contact Us Today
If you feel we could help your loved one who is living with dementia, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
At Access Care, we are here to listen, support, and provide expert care guidance to make sure that your loved one receives the compassionate care that they deserve.
Phone: Call us on 01264 319 399 to speak with a member of our friendly team.
Email: Reach out to us at hello@access-care.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
We look forward to helping you and your family find the right live-in care solutions.
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