Beebe implements doll therapy for memory loss patients

Patients who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other memory loss conditions can easily become confused, agitated, irritable and even destructive. It is important for physicians, nurses, therapists and other clinicians who care for them to have access to activities and tools that can divert attention to something positive and calming.

Now at Beebe Healthcare, one of those tools is a baby doll.

Early this year, with support from Beebe Medical Foundation, Beebe launched a new doll therapy program. Patients diagnosed with memory loss are given baby dolls, along with a bottle, doll clothing and a blanket, as a form of therapy. The dolls provide distraction, comfort and a sense of purpose. They reduce feelings of stress and loneliness, and often successfully shift focus away from the fact that the patient is in the hospital, undergoing treatment for a complex illness.

“Doll therapy is not a new concept, but is definitely newer in hospital environments, and we are incredibly proud to have this program now available here at Beebe,” said Logan Jarrell, BSN, RN, NICHE coordinator at Beebe. “This is an evidence-based practice with a lot of research and outcomes reported to demonstrate the positive impact doll therapy can have on the patient experience in the hospital, as well as quality of life long-term.”

The dolls are acquired through Beebe’s partnership with Angie’s Purpose, a national organization that promotes the benefits of doll therapy in caring for elderly patients who suffer from memory loss diseases. It also provides videos to educate professional staff and patient families, guidelines for which patients can benefit from receiving a doll, and instructions on how to properly introduce dolls to patients. Doll therapy is useful for both male and female patients on units across the hospital, and varied doll options are available.

“Many of the patients we are caring for believe the doll is real and become quickly vested in caring for it as if it is their own child,” said Loretta Ostroski, vice president of integrative care and continuum of care at Beebe. “In many cases, the doll brings back positive memories for the patient, perhaps from the days when they were raising their own child. It doesn’t take long for family members to see the benefits; they are so grateful for the program when they realize how much joy it is bringing to their loved one.”

Beebe team members have also provided positive perspective on the program. “We were recently caring for a patient who was trying to get out of bed and had become very agitated. We decided to introduce a doll, and the patient liked it right away,” said Leeaynne Stewart, a patient care technician in the emergency department. “The patient relaxed while holding the doll. At one point, the patient fell asleep holding the doll.”

Heather Cassel, CNA, had a similar experience. “The patient was actually treating the baby doll like a real baby,” she said. “The patient played with it, checked its diaper, talked to it, and rocked the doll to sleep. I personally love seeing patients benefit from doll therapy.”

Once distributed to a patient, the doll is theirs to keep and goes along with the patient after discharge to go home or be transferred to a post-acute care facility. Beebe has strong working relationships with many post-acute facilities in the area and ensures their teams are aware of the doll therapy initiative. Many offer similar diversional programs.

“We know how important it is to work together as patients transition between our facilities and to have continuity in our care practices,” said Ostroski.