Rocking chair therapy dolls are having a positive impact on residents at Lambton County's three long-term care homes.
North Lambton Lodge Administrator Carolyn Hodges said they have two dolls at her facility in Forest.
"We found that people living in the home often respond well to having a caregiving type role or a purpose, and sometimes that could be a therapy doll such as these ones, other times, for people who are animal lovers, you can get fairly realistic dogs or cats," said Hodges.
She said holding the dolls often triggers fond memories.
"The ladies, when you ask them if they'd like to hold the doll, most of them understand that it is a doll, but they enjoy it because the dolls feel like it was when they had their own children or their grandchildren."
The dolls feel so realistic, because they are weighted, Hodges said.
"Many of them [residents] when you hand them the doll, if they're in a chair, they start rocking or they start bouncing. They all come with a set of clothing, a soother, and they are designated as either a boy or a girl."
Hodges said holding the dolls also sparks a positive discussion.
"[The residents] will talk about their own experiences with children and sometimes when someone's agitated or upset about something, if you give them the doll, it refocuses them and has them doing a purposeful activity. It redirects their attention to that child."
Hodges describes the expressions on the baby dolls faces as "priceless."
"Some of them are sleeping, some of them are awake. The person who makes them, she hand makes them. The painting of them is just so beautiful that I think it really occupies people's attention and it's just so calming to look at a baby."
The dolls are also available at Marshall Gowland Manor in Sarnia and Meadowview Villa in Petrolia.