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Baby dolls brought these Alzheimer's patients so much joy

This is truly incredible

Baby dolls brought these Alzheimer's patients so much joy

This is truly incredible

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Baby dolls brought these Alzheimer's patients so much joy

This is truly incredible

Before Sandy Cambron's mother-in-law, Pearl, passed away from Alzheimer's disease in 2008, Cambron and her husband bought Pearl a baby doll. As simple of a gesture as it was, the doll ended up being what made Pearl's final days a little easier — it became a close companion for her when she needed it most.Knowing what a difference the toy made in Pearl's life, Cambron has continued to support other Alzheimer's patients by giving them baby dolls through a project she calls "Pearl's Memory Babies." This Valentine's Day, for example, she and her coworker Shannon Gray Blair brought a wagon full of baby dolls and stuffed puppies to a Kentucky nursing home.The idea of using lifelike toys to boost the spirits of Alzheimer's patients is known as "doll therapy," according to Alzheimers.net. There hasn't been a ton of research done on the practice just yet, but one small 2007 study found that doll therapy is, indeed, an effective therapy for Alzheimer's patients and can be used to increase positive behaviors. Plus, there's plenty of anecdotal evidence that shows that caring for lifelike baby dolls gives Alzheimer's patients a sense of purpose and brings back pleasant memories of early parenthood. After visiting the nursing home on Valentine's Day, Cambron's coworker Blair shared photos and videos from the emotional experience on her Facebook page. You're going to want to see the heartwarming footage for yourself — these patients' reactions are absolutely priceless.If you'd like to learn more about Pearl's Memory Babies, visit their Facebook and GoFundMe pages.

Before Sandy Cambron's mother-in-law, Pearl, passed away from Alzheimer's disease in 2008, Cambron and her husband bought Pearl a baby doll. As simple of a gesture as it was, the doll ended up being what made Pearl's final days a little easier — it became a close companion for her when she needed it most.

Knowing what a difference the toy made in Pearl's life, Cambron has continued to support other Alzheimer's patients by giving them baby dolls through a project she calls "Pearl's Memory Babies." This Valentine's Day, for example, she and her coworker Shannon Gray Blair brought a wagon full of baby dolls and stuffed puppies to a Kentucky nursing home.

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The idea of using lifelike toys to boost the spirits of Alzheimer's patients is known as "doll therapy," according to Alzheimers.net. There hasn't been a ton of research done on the practice just yet, but one small 2007 study found that doll therapy is, indeed, an effective therapy for Alzheimer's patients and can be used to increase positive behaviors. Plus, there's plenty of anecdotal evidence that shows that caring for lifelike baby dolls gives Alzheimer's patients a sense of purpose and brings back pleasant memories of early parenthood.

After visiting the nursing home on Valentine's Day, Cambron's coworker Blair shared photos and videos from the emotional experience on her Facebook page. You're going to want to see the heartwarming footage for yourself — these patients' reactions are absolutely priceless.

If you'd like to learn more about Pearl's Memory Babies, visit their Facebook and GoFundMe pages.

[h/t People]