Nursing homes turn to doll therapy to soothe Alzheimer’s patients

BATON ROUGE, La. (InvestigateTV) — Alzheimer’s disease not only robs patients of their memory, but most will experience anxiety or become agitated as it progresses.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, agitation can occur suddenly with no apparent reason or result from a frustrating situation. The person may appear restless, pace, have verbal outbursts or in some cases try to hit or hurt someone.

One solution to help soothe these troubling physical and emotional symptoms is an emerging field called “doll therapy.” While some may find it unorthodox to give a doll to an older adult, nursing homes and memory care centers have reported success using this treatment.

Baby doll therapy shows promise

Lillian Ledet is a resident at a nursing home and memory care facility outside Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She’s holding baby Elizabeth, a doll that looks and feels similar to a real baby.

“I had five kids in six-and-a-half years,” Ledet said.

For some, the sight of an older adult holding a doll could be confusing or even concerning, but the “toy” Lillian’s holding is part of a program called baby doll therapy or BDT.

Program Outreach Director Verna Law says the doll helps some dementia patients recall happy moments from their long-term memory.

“It is so effective, I cannot believe, I really, I knew it was going to be something good, but I’m shocked every time when we present the baby to someone,” Law said.

Studies on baby doll therapy are limited, but research conducted in the United Kingdom found that people with dementia who used doll therapy were less irritable, and it reduced the need for medication. Other research reported significant mood improvements and lower evidence of depression.

At a memory care facility in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Lynn Howerton echoes the studies, saying she saw an immediate reaction in her father. The U.S. Air Force veteran received a doll made especially for him, dressed in patriotic colors.

“Just having that emblem gives them that proud moment when they served our country,” Howerton said.

Angels Embrace, a non-profit out of St. Louis, crafted the personalized baby dolls for these residents in Jonesboro. Founder Barbara Stafford says she witnessed one woman who hadn’t spoken since she’d been in a memory care facility start talking to her doll.

“To some people a doll is just a doll but for them we’re creating a moment of joy, laughter, love we are trying to trigger memories,” Stafford said.

Critics raise dignity concerns

But some critics argue an adult with memory loss is not a child. A February 2025 article in “Very Well Health” seems to support this thought, citing clinicians who say, “A diagnosis of dementia does not erase the need to be treated with dignity.”

“We also don’t just give them the doll, we have to make sure that they are willing to accept the doll,” Law said.

Back in Louisiana, baby Elizabeth has been introduced to nearly a dozen residents. Law says it’s been amazing to witness the interactions with the dolls, and she hopes every resident in the memory care unit will soon have their own baby to care for.

“It’s so good for us to see something positive come out of what they’re experiencing just in the day-to-day with their progression of their disease, so this has been a wonderful experience,” Law said.

Treatment not suitable for all patients

Experts say baby doll therapy is not for all dementia patients. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends any patient experiencing behavioral symptoms receive a thorough checkup to rule out any physical causes or medication-related side effects.

Caregivers can also try art, music, or other activities to divert attention away from anxiety.

For more information on this symptom, go to the Alzheimer’s Association’s website at alz.org.

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