Kathy Wilhelm, a blog reader who works for the Ashton-Drake Galleries, has worked on a project dear to heart , a doll for memory care patients. She sent me Ashton-Drake’s newest baby doll, Kayla, the comfort doll, “I hope this baby doll can bring joy to one of the residents at the mansion.
She also offered to send some diaper bag items used to help care for the baby.
I did this once at the Mansion, we purchased a doll for Diane, and that has been a wonderful success, Diane sleeps with her doll, she changes her diapers, worries about her, loves and holds her.
It has calmed her and given her focus.
Kathy donated the Kayla doll, she wouldn’t take any payment, or set any conditions.
She asked only for some perspective on how the Mansion resident might react. Tomorrow, I’m bringing the Kayla doll over to the Mansion, and I’ll have a meeting with the staff to talk about which resident would benefit most from this generous gift.
If this works out, Ashton-Drake might send another one. That would be great.
I studied the use of dolls for some months before I got one for the Mansion, there is some controversy about them – this is America, after all – some doctors feel they infanticize dementia patients.
it is used mostly with memory patients, especially those with dementia.
I haven’t seen any evidence of that at all. These patients are not getting younger, they are getting older. Could it hurt for them to feel younger? Do they need to be more mature? I remember Madeline, a Mansion resident in her 90’s telling me once “any more mature is the grave!”
It was a great line, but there was some truthful sting to it.
When I see the doll being used, I see how it calms people, eases their confusion, gives them a purpose, and calls up some of the best and most loving parts of their memory. It gives them something important to do, a way of feeling needed and useful.
I believe in them, and I have to say that this doll, the Kayla doll, is one of the best and most life-like that I have seen. The face and the eyes are extraordinary. I have a resident in mind for this doll, if I get permission, I’ll let you know.
It is a curious thing to bring a baby doll to some women in their 80’s – the men don’t want one. But it is a beautiful thing. In some way, it brings their lives back to one of the most loving and essential times. There is not much else that can do that.
The comfort doll was not a gift I would ever have thought of bringing, yet I’m eager to see the joyous face of the resident who receives it. I’ve seen that look before.
I’ll let you know what happens.