AGE OF CREATIVITY FESTIVAL OF CREATIVITY FOR OLDER PEOPLE 1st – 31st MAY 2019
21/02/2019
The University of West London wants to hear your views on dementia education and training.
07/03/2019

Doll Therapy

 

During a day-long observation in a care home in Ireland
earlier this year, there was a man, ‘Patrick’ who appeared
quite worried and was pacing along the hallways in the
home looking for ways to get out. A member of staff
approached him and they walked together for a bit to
an area where there was a large silver cross pram parked.
Patrick looked into the pram and his facial expression
was transformed from anxious to happy and animated
in seconds as he looked down at the doll. The member
of staff gently picked up the doll and offered her to
Patrick to hold. He took her in his arms very tenderly and
competently (he was a father of eight children and many
grandchildren). Patrick sat down with the doll cradled in
his arms, and occasionally lifted her up in the air smiling
and made silly faces and noises at her. At one point he
started to sing her a beautiful lullaby, rocking her gently
from side to side. For the entire period I observed him
he was completely enraptured by the doll with all his
anxieties disappeared as his entire focus was on caring
for his baby.  Read more – Click here to download the article