{"id":149,"date":"2025-06-21T01:42:41","date_gmt":"2025-06-21T00:42:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/?p=149"},"modified":"2025-06-21T01:44:18","modified_gmt":"2025-06-21T00:44:18","slug":"doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/","title":{"rendered":"Doll Therapy in Aged Care: Comfort, Controversy, and Connection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For some aged care residents, holding a doll brings comfort. For others\u2014especially staff or families looking on\u2014it can raise eyebrows. But beneath this gentle act lies a powerful and surprisingly effective therapy: one that\u2019s calming distressed residents, improving communication, and offering connection where words and memory have faded. Known as doll therapy<\/strong> or child representation therapy<\/strong>, this approach is being embraced in more Australian aged care homes\u2014not without controversy, but often with heartening results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Doll Therapy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Doll therapy involves giving a lifelike doll to a person with dementia, often someone who was once a parent or caregiver. The idea isn\u2019t to play make-believe, but to meet the person in the emotional world they\u2019re living in now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For someone with dementia, especially in the later stages, abstract reasoning and short-term memory often fade. What remains strong are emotional memories\u2014particularly those linked to attachment and caregiving. Holding a doll can tap into these deeply rooted instincts, giving a sense of purpose and calming restlessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As dementia support specialist Dr. Eva Kittay puts it, \u201cThe therapy doesn\u2019t ask a person to leave their reality. Instead, it joins them there\u2014with gentleness and respect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Evidence: What Research Shows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Growing research backs up what many carers see anecdotally: doll therapy works\u2014when introduced with care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • A 2021 Italian randomised controlled trial<\/strong> found that residents given dolls showed significantly reduced agitation, apathy, and wandering<\/em> compared to those receiving usual care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • A 2024 scoping review<\/strong> published in Dementia & Geriatric Cognitive Disorders<\/em> concluded that doll therapy improves mood, encourages communication, and reduces distressing behaviours across multiple settings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Observational studies have noted positive impacts on nutrition<\/strong> and daily routine<\/strong>\u2014with some residents becoming calmer and more engaged during mealtimes when holding their doll.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Locally, aged care providers like Mayflower and Arcare report similar outcomes. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen non-verbal residents begin talking to their dolls, smiling more, even eating better,\u201d one Mayflower staff member told ABC News in a 2023 segment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Doll Therapy in Australia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Doll therapy is increasingly used across Australia, though practices vary widely. In many aged care homes, it\u2019s part of diversional therapy programs<\/strong>\u2014non-medical approaches that aim to stimulate wellbeing through meaningful activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Dementia Support Australia (DSA)<\/strong> and the Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA)<\/strong> both include doll therapy in their resources for managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Their guidance emphasises the importance of care plans, consent, and ongoing review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One regional example is the program run by Play Move Improve<\/em>, an Australian occupational therapy service working with rural care homes. Their founder, Leanne Bell, says empathy dolls are \u201cgentle tools that often unlock emotion when nothing else does.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Yet implementation is patchy. Some care homes embrace the approach; others remain cautious or avoid it entirely. Concerns about infantilisation and staff discomfort are common barriers\u2014more on that below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Dos and Don\u2019ts: What Makes It Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The difference between successful doll therapy and a distressing experience often comes down to how<\/strong> it\u2019s introduced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    DO:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • Obtain consent<\/strong> where possible\u2014from the resident or next of kin\u2014and document it in the care plan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Respect the emotional reality<\/strong> of the person. If they call the doll \u201cmy baby,\u201d follow their lead. Don\u2019t correct or contradict.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Use lifelike, diverse dolls<\/strong> with soft features. Dolls with open eyes, weight, and realistic clothing tend to be more effective.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Treat the doll with care<\/strong>. Mishandling or \u201ctaking away\u201d the doll can be traumatic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Monitor outcomes<\/strong>: Is the resident calmer? Are they sleeping better, eating more, or communicating more?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      DON\u2019T:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • Force the doll on anyone. If the person isn\u2019t interested, that\u2019s okay.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Use dolls with closed eyes or sound effects, which can be confusing or distressing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Talk down to the resident or use patronising language. This isn\u2019t about pretending they\u2019re a child\u2014it\u2019s about meeting them emotionally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Allow staff to use dolls as \u201ctools of compliance\u201d or to quiet someone down without further engagement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        A Question of Dignity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        The ethical debate around doll therapy often centres on dignity<\/strong>. Is it infantilising? Are we fooling residents into a false sense of reality?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        There\u2019s no simple answer. Critics argue that giving a doll to an adult strips away autonomy and treats them like a child. Others worry it can lead to obsessive attachment or conflict if dolls go missing or are taken by others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        But supporters say the opposite: that doll therapy, when offered with respect and choice<\/strong>, honours a resident\u2019s reality and offers comfort no drug can match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        As one aged care nurse from Victoria\u2019s Gippsland region put it, \u201cWe\u2019re not pretending they\u2019re children. We\u2019re honouring their need to love and be needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        There have been rare but serious breaches. In 2022, a therapist in a NSW facility was reported for deliberately mistreating a resident\u2019s doll as a form of punishment\u2014an act the Health Care Complaints Commission labelled \u201ccallous and degrading.\u201d This case has since been used as a training example for why empathy, supervision, and ethical boundaries matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Choosing the Right Doll<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        The doll\u2019s design plays a crucial role. It should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Be soft-bodied and realistic, with gentle features<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Have open eyes and human proportions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Reflect diverse ethnicities if possible<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Be washable and safe for hugging or rocking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Some facilities use weighted dolls for added comfort. Others keep a collection so residents can choose, reducing attachment conflicts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Importantly, the doll should be treated like a real object of affection<\/strong>\u2014not a prop to be tossed aside. Staff should be trained to handle dolls gently and avoid scenarios where dolls are \u201cconfiscated\u201d or dismissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Training and Policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          Implementing doll therapy responsibly requires:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • Staff training<\/strong> in emotional intelligence, dementia communication, and ethical use<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Written policies<\/strong> that cover consent, monitoring, and removal protocols<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Ongoing review<\/strong>: not all residents will benefit, and needs can change over time<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Family engagement<\/strong> to reduce misunderstandings and offer reassurance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            As part of a broader dementia care strategy\u2014including music therapy, sensory gardens, and life story work\u2014doll therapy can slot in as one of many non-pharmacological tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Regional Realities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            In regional and rural care homes, where access to specialist dementia services may be limited, doll therapy offers a low-cost, high-impact option<\/strong>. Weighted empathy dolls range from $60 to $150 and don\u2019t require ongoing technology or internet access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            For smaller homes with limited budgets and staffing, doll therapy can bridge a gap: calming agitated residents, easing meal routines, or simply offering moments of connection when time is short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            In Victoria\u2019s South Gippsland, one rural facility trialled doll therapy after seeing a spike in anxiety among residents with dementia. Staff reported fewer after-hours calls and improved sleep among participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Looking Ahead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            Doll therapy isn\u2019t a miracle\u2014but it is a meaningful, evidence-backed approach that speaks to something deeply human: the need to love and be needed. When implemented with dignity, empathy, and careful planning, it can bring calm to chaos and presence to people often lost in fog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            In Australia, there\u2019s growing interest in combining doll therapy with other innovations\u2014from sensory rooms to robotic pets. But no matter how sophisticated the tools become, the core remains the same: connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            And in aged care, connection is everything.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Doll therapy is gaining ground in dementia care across Australia, offering connection where memory fades. But is it therapeutic or infantilising? We unpack the research, ethics, and real-world practice\u2014especially in regional aged care settings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":151,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"1080","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,35,32],"tags":[71,74,72,67,70,75,77,73,76],"class_list":["post-149","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-mind-spirit","category-innovations","tag-aged-care-australia","tag-behavioural-therapy","tag-dementia-care","tag-dementia-support","tag-doll-therapy","tag-empathy-dolls","tag-ethical-aged-care","tag-non-pharmacological-therapy","tag-regional-aged-care"],"yoast_head":"\nDoll Therapy in Aged Care: Comfort, Controversy, and Connection - chrisy.com.au<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Doll Therapy in Aged Care: Comfort, Controversy, and Connection - chrisy.com.au\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Doll therapy is gaining ground in dementia care across Australia, offering connection where memory fades. But is it therapeutic or infantilising? We unpack the research, ethics, and real-world practice\u2014especially in regional aged care settings.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"chrisy.com.au\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-06-21T00:42:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-21T00:44:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/kymme_h_A_serene_aged_care_resident_gently_holding_a_lifelike_1ecc4fcf-e11d-4d12-a9b6-b1e7cddf8714_0.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1456\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"816\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"chrisy.com.au\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"chrisy.com.au\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/index.php\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/21\\\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/index.php\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/21\\\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"chrisy.com.au\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/15443f216f937d6af88f31736dd6fd8f\"},\"headline\":\"Doll Therapy in Aged Care: Comfort, Controversy, and Connection\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-21T00:42:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-21T00:44:18+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/index.php\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/21\\\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1216,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/index.php\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/21\\\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/kymme_h_A_serene_aged_care_resident_gently_holding_a_lifelike_1ecc4fcf-e11d-4d12-a9b6-b1e7cddf8714_0.png\",\"keywords\":[\"aged care Australia\",\"behavioural therapy\",\"dementia care\",\"dementia support\",\"doll therapy\",\"empathy dolls\",\"ethical aged care\",\"non-pharmacological therapy\",\"regional aged care\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Health & Wellness\",\"Mind & Spirit\",\"New Research & Innovations\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/index.php\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/21\\\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/index.php\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/21\\\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/index.php\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/21\\\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\\\/\",\"name\":\"Doll Therapy in Aged Care: Comfort, Controversy, and Connection - chrisy.com.au\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/index.php\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/21\\\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/index.php\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/21\\\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/kymme_h_A_serene_aged_care_resident_gently_holding_a_lifelike_1ecc4fcf-e11d-4d12-a9b6-b1e7cddf8714_0.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-21T00:42:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-21T00:44:18+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/index.php\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/21\\\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/index.php\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/21\\\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/index.php\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/21\\\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/kymme_h_A_serene_aged_care_resident_gently_holding_a_lifelike_1ecc4fcf-e11d-4d12-a9b6-b1e7cddf8714_0.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/kymme_h_A_serene_aged_care_resident_gently_holding_a_lifelike_1ecc4fcf-e11d-4d12-a9b6-b1e7cddf8714_0.png\",\"width\":1456,\"height\":816,\"caption\":\"Doll Therapy\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/index.php\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/21\\\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Doll Therapy in Aged Care: Comfort, Controversy, and Connection\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/\",\"name\":\"chrisy.com.au\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"chrisy.com.au\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/cropped-ch2@3x.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/cropped-ch2@3x.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"chrisy.com.au\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/15443f216f937d6af88f31736dd6fd8f\",\"name\":\"chrisy.com.au\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/fa419a69c44373688e7af6e7f8426ca41a77c76628773a885e4620705171ea82?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/fa419a69c44373688e7af6e7f8426ca41a77c76628773a885e4620705171ea82?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/fa419a69c44373688e7af6e7f8426ca41a77c76628773a885e4620705171ea82?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"chrisy.com.au\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/chrisy.com.au\\\/index.php\\\/author\\\/chrisy-com-au\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Doll Therapy in Aged Care: Comfort, Controversy, and Connection - chrisy.com.au","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Doll Therapy in Aged Care: Comfort, Controversy, and Connection - chrisy.com.au","og_description":"Doll therapy is gaining ground in dementia care across Australia, offering connection where memory fades. But is it therapeutic or infantilising? We unpack the research, ethics, and real-world practice\u2014especially in regional aged care settings.","og_url":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/","og_site_name":"chrisy.com.au","article_published_time":"2025-06-21T00:42:41+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-06-21T00:44:18+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1456,"height":816,"url":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/kymme_h_A_serene_aged_care_resident_gently_holding_a_lifelike_1ecc4fcf-e11d-4d12-a9b6-b1e7cddf8714_0.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"chrisy.com.au","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"chrisy.com.au","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/"},"author":{"name":"chrisy.com.au","@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/#\/schema\/person\/15443f216f937d6af88f31736dd6fd8f"},"headline":"Doll Therapy in Aged Care: Comfort, Controversy, and Connection","datePublished":"2025-06-21T00:42:41+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-21T00:44:18+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/"},"wordCount":1216,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/kymme_h_A_serene_aged_care_resident_gently_holding_a_lifelike_1ecc4fcf-e11d-4d12-a9b6-b1e7cddf8714_0.png","keywords":["aged care Australia","behavioural therapy","dementia care","dementia support","doll therapy","empathy dolls","ethical aged care","non-pharmacological therapy","regional aged care"],"articleSection":["Health & Wellness","Mind & Spirit","New Research & Innovations"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/","url":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/","name":"Doll Therapy in Aged Care: Comfort, Controversy, and Connection - chrisy.com.au","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/kymme_h_A_serene_aged_care_resident_gently_holding_a_lifelike_1ecc4fcf-e11d-4d12-a9b6-b1e7cddf8714_0.png","datePublished":"2025-06-21T00:42:41+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-21T00:44:18+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/kymme_h_A_serene_aged_care_resident_gently_holding_a_lifelike_1ecc4fcf-e11d-4d12-a9b6-b1e7cddf8714_0.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/kymme_h_A_serene_aged_care_resident_gently_holding_a_lifelike_1ecc4fcf-e11d-4d12-a9b6-b1e7cddf8714_0.png","width":1456,"height":816,"caption":"Doll Therapy"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/doll-therapy-in-aged-care-comfort-controversy-and-connection\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Doll Therapy in Aged Care: Comfort, Controversy, and Connection"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/#website","url":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/","name":"chrisy.com.au","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/#organization","name":"chrisy.com.au","url":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cropped-ch2@3x.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cropped-ch2@3x.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"chrisy.com.au"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/#\/schema\/person\/15443f216f937d6af88f31736dd6fd8f","name":"chrisy.com.au","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fa419a69c44373688e7af6e7f8426ca41a77c76628773a885e4620705171ea82?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fa419a69c44373688e7af6e7f8426ca41a77c76628773a885e4620705171ea82?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fa419a69c44373688e7af6e7f8426ca41a77c76628773a885e4620705171ea82?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"chrisy.com.au"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/chrisy.com.au"],"url":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/author\/chrisy-com-au\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=149"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":150,"href":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149\/revisions\/150"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=149"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=149"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chrisy.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=149"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}