Huggy Dolls for Alzheimer’s Patients

 Alzheimer’sNotes.com

When I saw these dolls, they reminded me of a family and stories you could relate with Alzheimer’s patients.  Perhaps the stories would be of their memories and family members.  Possibly they would be fantasy. 

These, or similar dolls, could be a springboard for communication.  At least if the patients are communicating, whether in the present, fantasy or yesterday’s world, they retain something of themselves.  A bit of their personality comes through, perhaps a glimpse of the former man or woman.

“Look at her.  She’s playing with dolls.  How silly,” Mother remarked, in the earlier days when she stayed at a nusing home during the day while I taught school.

However, later on, when Mother experienced the more advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, she would take a doll offered to her by the nursing staff.  She might talk to it and tell stories when asked.  Mother never became attached to dolls as other patients did but didn’t reject them. 

However, knowing Mother, she may simply have been playing along with the staff and laughing to herself.  Much as she did when she hid her suitcases outside the back door, waiting for a chance to slip.  “I fooled them,” Mother later told me, after someone saw her cross the parking lot with two suitcases.  “I almost got away and caught the bus.”

(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen