The simple truth is that dementia patients want to feel loved and are still able to give love and flourish in the right care and environment. Bringing doll therapy into the equation can help break barriers for patients and give them a sense of responsibility.

Doll therapy helps to reduce stress levels in those with dementia and can alleviate disruptive or challenging behavior which is common amongst patients.

Distress occurs in 60 to 90% of people with dementia which can manifest in anxiety, depression, fear, excessive walking, aggression, or withdrawal. Doll therapy has shown a success rate of 76% in clinical trials at reducing distress which leads to an increase in quality of life.

A doll can be many things to a person including a treasured baby to nurture and protect and a way of communicating a need to others or projection of their own vulnerability.