How Can Individuals With Dementia Benefit From A Therapy Doll?
Individuals living with dementia and Alzheimer's may benefit from "adopting" a doll. If you have been considering this coping mechanism for yourself or someone you love, it can be valuable to learn more about how doll therapy works, its benefits, and the controversy surrounding this practice.
What is doll therapy?
The concept of DT is based on the idea that human beings instinctually attune themselves to babies, calming their behavior by gently rocking back and forth when holding an infant. Doll treatment may also be referred to as child representation therapy (CRT) or nurture counseling. This idea was popularized by British psychologist John Bowlby's attachment theory.
The symptoms of cognitive decline in older adults can include high aggression, low food intake, and other behavioral and emotional symptoms that could impact overall health and wellness. Pairing dementia clients with dolls for them to care for may be beneficial for keeping these individuals calm and improving their emotional state. Studies have even found that doll treatment can improve food intake for individuals experiencing dementia.
Initial research on doll therapy's benefits focused on treating childhood mental health conditions. Eventually, it expanded to include clients diagnosed with dementia. Dolls were distributed in mental health facilities, and research was conducted on their effectiveness.
Symptoms of dementia
People with dementia may experience:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger
- Suspicion
- Confusion
When seniors with declining cognitive abilities are paired with a new, life-like baby doll that looks like a real baby, they may experience a reduction in the above symptoms.
Benefits of dolls stuffed toys, and action figures
"Adopting" a doll can have several benefits for those living with dementia. One of the benefits of doll therapy is that it can help calm agitated patients without using pharmaceuticals. Clients with dementia may become confused about their location and wander off. Doll therapy could reduce wandering to keep individuals safer.
Symptoms of agitation and aggression can negatively impact the health of individuals with dementia and their caretakers. These individuals may feel uncomfortable needing a caregiver after being independent throughout their life, which could increase their agitation. A doll can help them come to terms with this and feel like they are also a caregiver and give them a sense of purpose.
Allowing clients to nurture a doll or stuffed animal can also increase self-esteem and calm negative emotions. This treatment can be used daily and may help those with dementia feel less alone in their experiences. For those that do not want a doll, robot pets or dolls made to look like animals may also be beneficial.
The potential benefits of dolls include the following:
- Improving communication
- Reducing aggression
- Improving one's emotional state
- Increasing food intake
- Increasing self-esteem
- Lessening the need for medications
- Reducing wandering behaviors
- Improving social behavior
- Increasing interest in activities
Different types of dolls for play therapy
The two most common dolls are life-like doll babies and animals. A realistic stuffed animal can have similar benefits as other animal therapy interventions, such as therapy dogs but with increased safety. Some clients may have better results when paired with a stuffed animal instead of a baby doll.
In addition, some companies create robot pets like dogs or cats that interact with the individual but do not require 24/7 care like a real pet. For those with dementia, having a robot pet that moves may remind them of the comforting feelings they may have had with a real pet in their past.
Can dolls be an effective treatment?
The effectiveness of dolls as a treatment for dementia and other patients has been a topic of debate. More research may need to be conducted on dolls as a treatment option for those with dementia and Alzheimer's. Still, current research shows that there could be significant benefits from baby doll therapy. However, try not to force doll treatment upon an individual. The individual's willful cooperation may be necessary in order for the treatment to work.
Effectiveness of a therapeutic doll
A 2022 systematic review of the current details on the effectiveness of therapy dolls found that they could improve the emotional state of individuals and reduce negative behaviors like aggression. Therapy dolls could also be beneficial for improving communication. Around half of the studies in the systematic review concluded that therapy dolls positively affected people living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Some experts believe that attachment behaviors are natural instincts and that tapping into them can benefit those with dementia and age-related cognitive conditions. People with dementia have been known to experience distress over their desire to be reunited with their parents or another family member. Doll treatment may help fill the instinctual need for attachment, thus lessening their distress.
Tips for increasing the effectiveness of therapeutic dolls and toys
Below are a few options for increasing the odds that doll treatment is effective:
- Use life-like baby dolls or stuffed animals
- Provide props like clothes, blankets, and bottles
- Educate the individual about how doll treatment works
- Talk to mental health professionals and nursing home staff about how to use doll therapy
- Combine doll treatment with talk therapy
Who can benefit from therapy doll treatment?
Dolls were originally tested as a treatment tool for children with mental health conditions. Research expanded to include the elderly and patients with dementia. Current detail supports the idea that a doll can help reduce symptoms in individuals with dementia, Alzheimer's, and age-related cognitive disorders. Other mental health conditions may also benefit from DT, but more research is needed.
Understanding the limitations
DT may not be right for every patient. For the treatment to be effective, it may be necessary for the individual to willingly "adopt" the doll or stuffed animal. Some people may assume that only women want to nurture baby dolls, but men can also benefit from DT. The best type of doll for the individual may depend on their preferences and budget, as some therapy dolls come at a high price.
It may be recommended that caregivers allow the individual to voluntarily "adopt" the doll as their own. For example, it may be left on a table for them to find. Introducing the patient to the doll can be a natural process, with the goal of maintaining the client's dignity and avoiding infantilizing or demeaning them.
Why is doll therapy controversial?
Some mental health professionals have expressed ethical concerns about whether doll therapy is infantilizing or patronizing to older adults. However, DT is not designed to undermine the patient's dignity. Instead, it is a treatment option that can help reduce symptoms of dementia that could impact their health and wellness.
Resistance to therapy doll
Resistance to DT does exist, but it can be a beneficial tool for improving the cognitive and behavioral health of individuals with dementia and other age-related mental health conditions. However, DT may be unethical if forced upon an individual or used to neglect caregiving duties.
Alternative treatment options aside from therapeutic dolls
One of the benefits of DT is that it can be administered individually without the oversight of a caregiver or mental health professional. However, talk counseling may be beneficial in conjunction with doll therapy for reducing symptoms of dementia. People with dementia may experience transportation limitations and other hurdles that prevent them from leaving home and attending appointments, so online counseling through a platform like BetterHelp may provide a solution.
Online support
The convenience of online counseling may make it easier for individuals of all ages to avail of mental healthcare services. In addition to treating individuals with dementia, research has also found that online counseling can be beneficial for caregivers and family members who may experience anxiety or depression. For example, going to therapy can support the mental and emotional needs of caregivers.
Clients with dementia may require assistance from a caregiver to use online counseling platforms. Still, by eliminating the need to travel, the process may be less time-consuming. Individuals with dementia may experience fear of leaving their homes or have physical disabilities that impede their ability to travel. Online counseling enables them to have care from home and reach professionals with a broader range of specialties.
Takeaway
A doll can be an effective treatment tool for individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's. Although more research may be required, doll therapy has a positive track record dating back to the 1980s.
Evidence supports the idea that nurturing a baby doll or stuffed animal can improve the behavior and emotional state of individuals experiencing symptoms of dementia and age-related cognitive decline. To learn more about these treatments or discuss dementia-related concerns, consider contacting a licensed therapist for guidance.
Frequently asked questions
For examples of questions that might be beneficial to explore in therapy, please see below.
Should baby dolls be anatomically correct?
Experts advise caregivers that there are many benefits to anatomically correct baby dolls. For example, they can facilitate the beginning of conversations about body parts, consent, exclusivity, what type of contact is okay, and healthy body image.
When a child interacts with a doll with missing body parts, it might lead to feelings like internalized shame or believing that these body parts are “weird.”
What was the name of the first African American doll?
The first African American doll is thought to be “Christie.” This doll was created in 1968 and marketed by the company, Mattel, as Barbie’s cousin. The first Black Barbie doll didn’t debut until 1980.
Additional questions about therapy dolls
Read below for additional questions and answers about this topic.
What does anatomically correct mean in a doll?
An anatomically correct doll is a doll that accurately shows the human body, including some primary and secondary features of external sexual organs. These dolls can be used by caregivers to provide their loved one with age-appropriate education about human anatomy, and they might be used in therapeutic or legal settings to help children who may have experienced inappropriate touch.
Is there a mixed-race African American Girl doll?
The American Girl Doll, Evette Peeters, was the first biracial doll created by the company. The creators of Evette say that Evette’s mother is Black, and her father is White.
Diverse dolls can help children see the world from the perspective of others, learn more about other people, and see themselves represented positively, which can lead to joy and celebration of diverse people.
What is figurine counseling used for?
Figurine counseling refers to the use of dolls, figurines, and other items in the therapeutic context to help clients’ express thoughts, emotions, and memories that might be blocked or difficult to express with words.
Play therapy can foster a trusting and caring environment, and ss clients continue therapy, it often leads to increased verbal communication of emotions.
Do toys and action figures help with mental health?
Yes, toys and action figures can help with mental health by improving coping skills, creating opportunities for emotional expression, relieving stress and anxiety, and fostering greater trust and comfort.
Why is doll therapy or play therapy treatment controversial?
Doll therapy is considered controversial in some settings, particularly in dementia therapy for elderly individuals. Some suggest that this therapy may infantilize or demean clients because dolls are typically used by children. Furthermore, dolls might cause additional stress and anxiety for people with difficulty distinguishing reality from non-reality, who might falsely believe they must care for a real infant.
What are the disadvantages of figurine counseling?
Some of the disadvantages of figurine counseling may include:
- Reliance on the therapist’s skill and expertise to correctly interpret the play
- Lack of structure, which may not be suitable for everyone
- Potentially a significant time commitment
- Subjectivity and variability
- Risk of demeaning adult clients
Overall, research tends to support play-based therapy as a suitable therapeutic approach for preschool and school-aged children. However, there have been some mixed results on the efficacy of the approach.
Do toys help with anxiety?
Yes, toys can significantly reduce anxiety in both child and adult populations. Surveys given to parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and high sensory-seeking scores revealed a high degree of agreement that fidget toys are beneficial for reducing anxiety and helping some children concentrate.
What is the psychology behind toys?
People engage with toys for a variety of reasons, such as to stimulate the mind, avoid boredom, have fun, engage in movement, solve problems, and interact with others.
The psychological effects of toys are significant, contributing to the development of emotional expression, social bonding, imagination, creativity, problem-solving skills, teamwork, self-confidence, and empathy in children.
What is the doll effect in psychology?
The “doll effect” refers to a famous doll study in which psychologists, Kenneth and Mamie Clark, assessed how children reacted to dolls with different skin colors and perceived race. The study found that, regardless of race, many children preferred white dolls, and finding that internalized racism, social pressure, lack of representation, and stereotypes drove these choices.
Is it normal for adults to have toys?
Yes, many adults enjoy collecting, playing with, or holding onto toys from their childhood. It can help adults engage in creativity, remind them of positive childhood memories, and relieve stress. According to one survey of parents, 58% of parents bought toys and games for themselves.
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