What is a Cognitive Care Kit?
A cognitive care kit includes games, puzzles, books, and workbooks that encourage social connection and provide meaningful links to daily activities. Materials in the kits are designed to support the skills and abilities of people living with dementia. We have three of these kits.
Our other very special kit is a locally made, reborn baby doll. Lifelike dolls or soft toy animals can have great benefits for some people with dementia, particularly in the later stages. They can promote feelings of relaxation and pleasure, and are considered a form of therapy – not merely ‘playing’ with a toy. Holding or just being with a doll or soft toy animal, such as a cat or dog, can be particularly helpful for people who are withdrawn, restless, distressed or anxious, improving their wellbeing and ability to communicate. The sensation of holding a doll or toy animal can be soothing. It might remind them of a time when they had young children or a pet of their own. Some people with dementia experience ‘sundowning’ – a state of intense confusion and distress that typically occurs in the evening. They may feel a strong need to go home, even if they are already at home, or to collect their child from school, even if they are grown up. Having a doll or toy animal to focus on at this time of day may ease these feelings of distress and insecurity. ‘Caring’ for a doll or soft toy can also give people with dementia a renewed sense of purpose and help them connect with the outside world. This can have a knock-on effect on their energy, activity levels and mood. If there are younger people in the family, such as grandchildren or – in the case of young onset dementia (where symptoms develop before the age of 65), the person’s own children – playing with or talking about the toy together could help them interact and foster feelings of closeness.
These kits are free to use and take home to help a loved one.
Click on this link to learn how to use a care kit.
Click on this link for more information about cognitive care kits.
