Posted on January 4, 2010 - by Nurse Virginia

COMFORT TOY A GREAT ACTIVITY FOR ELDERLY WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Sometimes a doll will help elderly with Alzheimer’s according to British Psychological Society

Nursing home in UK studied the effects of giving dolls to Alzheimer’s residents and presented findings at The British Psychological Society Conference in July of 2006. The nursing home found that the dolls seemed to reduce agitation or distress, improve communication problems and make residents less withdrawn. The nursing home staff seemed to feel that the introduction of the dolls with certain elderly Alzheimer’s residents improver quality of life.

Dolls at The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

While some elderly residents have gone through periods of time when we would always see them with their doll, the vast majority of elderly do not carry comfort toys. But when the  elderly are in late stages of Alzheimer’s disease, having something to hold can comfort those with limited psychosocial interaction. When the elderly have lost their ability to communicate verbally, they may still be able to connect through touch.

Great alternative to doll – “Twiddle Cat”

While a doll can increase some anxiety in elderly with dementia, because at times they think it is real and are worried for the doll. The Twiddle Cat provides not only the comfort and warmth of a doll but provides for the elder a safe activity. The elderly can finger the ribbons, wooden beads, bag of marbles and soft satin pocket while appreciating the joy of movement of their hands and doing something.

The “cat” is a stuffed muff with a squeeze ball in the center of the muff. It has a sweet cat face on one end with ears and a soft tail at the other end. The cute little “cat” provides for increased communication between residents and staff.   The staff then can initiate conversation with the resident about their cat.

The Twiddle Cat is a great comfort toy and a great on-going independent activity.

See the Twiddle Cat @ web site – Best Alzheimer’s Products

See also Blogs here on: Alzheimer’s Activities

Virginia Garberding, R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance