dolls and stuffed animals for dementia patients?
 

My group was asked if we could make dolls and stuffed animals for a local assisted living facility that specializes in caring for those with alzhiemers and dementia. And, since dolls used to be my speciality before I realized that children don't really like dolls any more-but I digress.

I've done some searching on the net, and therapy dolls seem to be the new thing to help those with problems with memory.

I've been playing phone tag iwith the lady who requested this project. All I know is she want's them to be washable, at least on the gentle cycle.

Have any of you made dolls that will go into the wash? Which pattern should I be looking at? I'm not sure if the dolls I made in the past would be good after they washed-more for the yarn hair then the sewing

Thanks

There is a QB member named wordpaintervs who makes dolls for very sick kids. I'm not sure if they would be washable but you might send her a PM with your question.

Thank you so much, I knew I saw photos of her dolls but couldn't find them when I did a search before I posted my message. I just checked, and her dolls might be washable. I'll send her a PM about her pattern.

You might want to find out if the people like them squishy or firm? or maybe that's an individual preference?

Maybe for hair you could sew on a short bob of applique fabric, stitched to the head. Therapy dolls also need zippers, snaps, velcro, etc. Things to fiddle with and fabrics with lots of texture. You could put beans or lentils in the dolls feet. Everything needs to be sewed on tight. Alzheimer's and autistic people also love lap quilts with textures and things to fiddle with. Thank you for thinking of them.

I know, the hair is the problem. I had donated about 50 dolls a few years ago to an organization that supports young cancer patients and their siblings. (I had surgery and had 6 weeks of recovery. I cut out several of a pattern while I was in bed and I'd sew for a few minutes until it hurt and then go back to bed. By the time I went back to work I had dolls all over the place) One develpmentally challenged boy picked one of the dolls up and immediately stuck the yarn head in his mouth. Then his mother glared at me like it was my fault he stuck yarn in his mouth.

Things to play with-how about tassles? Our group received a donation from a design studio. One of the things they gave us was a book of about 3" samples of different tassles and decorative trims. They are so small that we havne't figured out what to do with them. But sewing them to doll clothes might work if they'd wash well. I guess the best thing to do is create a little, see what works and what doesn't.

I can't wait to get started. This is going to be so much fun. And a great way to use up my stash.

If I remember correctly, there are some baby toys that have things to touch and feel. Some were just triangular tabs of fabric, probably doubly thick, and well sewn on. They also had a crinkle fabric that made a little noise when "crushed" in your fist.

I wonder if using corduroy or velveteen would work for the hair. Of course, it would be a 'short haircut' look - - - -

I had a link to my flickr photos, but it was removed by mods. I didn't realize that photo links count as a personal website. Sorry about that.