For Baby Doll Therapy

Although there is some debate surrounding “baby doll therapy”, most memory care homes we have assisted find that this activity brings a great deal of comfort and purpose to the lives of some of their residents.

Having a “backdrop” that supports activities relating to this theme, such as clothes folding and baby doll care, can enhance the experience and keep residents involved for longer periods of time. The comforting “homelike” atmosphere is perfect for recalling those happy early memories of baby care and family life.

Why this imagery?

We chose four Classic Nursery Rhymes of yesteryear. These - as well as many others - are so well known that the residents would not only have recited them to their children, but would have learned them when they were children. Other features follow the guidelines that we receive from professionals in the field, such as:

• Arial font for the text (easiest to read for persons with dementia)

• Contrast in colours so that the text and images stand out and are easy to see

• Yellow background, considered the “most luminous” for those residents whose sight may be compromised.

• Retro features - teal colour is cross-generational. It was used earlier in the 20th century and also heavily used in the 50’s and 60’s. It is also a gender-neutral colour for a nursery setting.

Retro Toy Cupboard has dual purpose!

This wrap (approx. 42” wide X 80” tall) can be used to cover a door in an activity room or simply as an object in the activity room’s “Nursery” setting

A Toy Cupboard filled with cross-generational mid-20th century toys

Reminiscing is important - especially to residents in Memory Care. The objects displayed in our “retro-toy cupboard” wrap represent the kinds of toys residents may have played with as children and which would have been available in the time they raised their children (circa 1950s - 60s).

Hand-painted elements (reproduced):

The Sock Monkey has an interesting history, first emerging in the U.S. in 1932, it was easily made out of old socks for children during hard times of the depression. Sock Monkeys had a resurgence in popularity in the 1950s with additional manufacturers. They are considered “good luck charms” and have been given to patients in hospitals and veterans overseas to speed recovery and relieve homesickness.

The iconic Raggedy-Ann Doll (seen sitting with the teddy bear) first emerged under patent around 1915, thought to be inspired by a homemade rag doll found in the attic of the creator’s parents’ Indianapolis home. It was the inspiration for many children’s books to follow. Like the sock monkey, Raggedy-Ann had a resurgence in popularity in the 1960s when the Knickerbocker Toy Company began producing Raggedy-Ann and Raggedy-Andy dolls.

The Spinning Top is about as old as the oldest toy and is found in some form in many civilizations all around the world. Although more popular prior to our high-tech times, these pump-action spinning tops are still available to purchase new today!

Toy Soldiers recall children’s storybooks of the 20th century which often told of knights, castles, princesses and “happy-ever-afters”! The teddy bear needs no explanation, except that the one we depict has the look of “articulated” arms and legs typical of the early, vintage teddy-bear such as those produced by the Steiff firm in Germany in 1902. It continues to be a popular toy to this day. The teddy bear and Raggedy-Ann doll are sitting in what every kid in the 50’s and 60s had - a wagon!! Even the football is a vintage design and the toy truck seems “homemade”.

Window to a Summer Day

Well it may be raging winter outside, but in our setting it is a lovely summer day. This scene brings a warmth to the room and reduces any sense of confinement . It may be a good place to put a comfy chair in which to hold “baby” or to place the clothes folding table? Every home will have its own configuration of our nursery backdrop pieces, for their own purposes.

How to implement?

That’s where our creative clients come in. Those Administrators of Care, the Recreation Therapists, the Activity Directors, the Behaviour Support teams, the Directors of Resident Programs to name a few! We learn so much from you and are always happy to hear your feedback so that we may better serve you and your residents.

We may suggest that our backdrop is used as a setting to fold clothes, to share stories of family life, to recall those old nursery rhymes and toys that will spark more comforting memories. Perhaps some yarn and knitting implements? We know you will think of even more things to make this home nursery a positive experience!

As always, we love to hear from you - if you have more questions or suggestions - we are listening!