Guidelines to Developing a Doll Therapy Policy

Members article

By Jane Verity © Dementia Care International

1. Policy

It is the policy of (insert name of facility) to provide activities of therapeutic benefit to residents with dementia.

2. What is Doll Therapy?

(Refer to Jane Verity’s The Doll Therapy Debate editorial)

3. Benefits of Doll Therapy for the Person with Dementia

Insert details e.g.
When the person with dementia speaks directly to a doll, words seem to flow more easily and sentence structure is correct etc.

4. Responsibility

Insert titles and positions e.g.
Care manager, Occupational Therapist etc.

5. Supporting Documentation

Insert e.g.
Permission letter/consent form for families to participate in doll therapy etc.

6. Evidence & Literature Supporting the Use of Doll Therapy

Insert associated publications and articles e.g.
Jane Verity editorial – The Doll Therapy Debate
Jane Verity – Dos and Don’ts of Doll Therapy
Journal of Dementia Care – May/June 2005 – The Therapeutic Use of Dolls in Dementia Care etc.

7. Equipment

Insert equipment items e.g.

Lifelike baby doll – We recommend Lee Middleton Original Dolls, which elicit the most compassionate response with their lifelike look and feel. They are weighted as a 6 month old baby, have floppy heads and soft cuddly bodies. (Please refer to Jane’s article for full details and methodology.)

8 Standards

• Aged Care Act 1997 Quality of care principles
• Standard Nos. Insert applicable standards

9. Procedures

Insert procedures e.g.

1. The facility develops a doll therapy policy covering how and when they plan to use the dolls etc.

10. Some keys to success using doll therapy.

Insert examples e.g.

1. Give care staff a list of people who have been assessed and have permission to use doll therapy so that the doll is not given to someone inappropriately etc.

Policy sample written by Jane Verity, Founder & CEO of Dementia Care International in conjunction with Hilary Lee, President Spark of Life (DCI 2017)

Neither Dementia Care International Pty Ltd, Jane Verity or Hilary Lee accept any form of liability for the contents of this Doll Therapy Policy sample. The information, opinions and advice contained in it are of a general nature only and may not relate to or be relevant to your particular circumstances.