DOLL THERAPY IN DEMENTIA
Iliana Tsampoula, Ioannis Koutelekos
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Publication year:
2020
Authors:
- Tsampoula Iliana, MSc in Applied Clinical Nursing, University of West Attica, Department of Nursing, Athens, Greece
- Koutelekos Ioannis, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Nursing A',Technological Educational Institute of Athens
Keywords index:
Pages: 24-32
Abstract:
Introduction: Although doll therapy was introduced in the 1990s, long-term care institutions aimed at reducing behavioral and psychological disorders in people with dementia, however, interest in this approach is growing today. Purpose: To explore Doll Therapy in patients with dementia. Material and Method: A bibliographic search was carried out in the electronic database "PubMed" with the keywords: "doll therapy, dementia, elderly", for the period 2014-2019. Results: According to the literature, patients with dementia who have moderate or severe cognitive impairment may participate in a doll therapy program. However, the vast majority of participants in these programs are women. The treatment is based on a specific protocol and is completed in 3 weeks to 6 months with daily sessions lasting 30-60 minutes. Although the outcome of each benefit varies, it usually occurs after 3 weeks of sessions. More specifically, dolls serve as a tool for the patient with dementia to regain older memories and behaviors, such as social life, emotional bond development with other people, and personal care. Also, doll therapy contributes significantly to the promotion of communication, to the reduction of depression, irritability, aggression, unnecessary wandering while is also strengthening the motivation for daily activity of patients. Conclusions: Doll therapy is an intervention that requires a multidisciplinary team in which the nurse has a dominant role.
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