How can our empathy dolls & pets help people with Dementia?
We have a wide range of lifelike dolls and pet animals which can have great benefits for people with dementia, particularly in the later stages. They can provide feelings such as relaxation and pleasure and are considered as a form of therapy that aids people who are suffering with this condition. Please remember this is not merely ‘playing.’
People with dementia can experience something called ‘Sundowning.’ This occurs mainly in the evening and is a state of intense confusion and distress. This can often make people feel adamant that they are in the wrong place, and they strongly feel that they need to go home, even if they are home. They may feel as if they have forgotten to do something for example going to collect their children from school and this may make them agitated. Having an empathy doll or pet animal to focus on at this time of day may ease the stress. For example, you can set up an evening routine which includes them and their empathy doll such as getting them ready for bed.
As the day goes on, the person with dementia becomes more tired, and this can lead to symptoms worsening. Being hungry, thirsty, and experiencing physical pain can also play a part in making dementia symptoms worst.
Just by being with one of our dolls or animals can be helpful, especially for people who are restless, distressed, withdrawn or anxious. This can aid improvement of their wellbeing and ability to communicate with others. By caring for one of our dolls or pets this can provide people with dementia a new sense of purpose and boost their energy levels and mood. That feeling you get when you are holding a doll or pet animal can be soothing to some people. It may remind them of a time in their life which they enjoyed when they had young children or a pet of their own to care for.
If the person with dementia has a family, it helps if the family interact with the empathy doll or pet animal as they would with a real-life baby or pet. This can make the person with dementia feel relaxed and happy that their doll/pet has been accepted into the family unit.
