Yesterday, following the death of a resident at Jan's home, a new resident was moved in. She's a lovely old lady of West Indian extraction. She has gone downhill a lot since I last saw her.
Anyway, she was sitting on a settee, slumped slightly sideways, seemingly oblivious to everything.
One of the care workers brought a life-size baby doll in and held it in front of her.
She immediately sat upright, eyes opened, and took the 'baby' in her hands. She talked to it softly for a few moments, then moved it to nursing position on her shoulder, and rocked back and forth.
She was an entirely changed person, demonstrably more content.
I know it is standard practice, and there have been many residents at the home with dolls, stuffed animals, etc - but I've never seen the immediate result of a person one minute having one demeanour, then changing completely after.
Anyway, she was sitting on a settee, slumped slightly sideways, seemingly oblivious to everything.
One of the care workers brought a life-size baby doll in and held it in front of her.
She immediately sat upright, eyes opened, and took the 'baby' in her hands. She talked to it softly for a few moments, then moved it to nursing position on her shoulder, and rocked back and forth.
She was an entirely changed person, demonstrably more content.
I know it is standard practice, and there have been many residents at the home with dolls, stuffed animals, etc - but I've never seen the immediate result of a person one minute having one demeanour, then changing completely after.