Independent Healthcare Properties and Morning Pointe Assisted Living are working together with Gigibeans’ Sprouts dolls for their special cuddle-therapy program in The Lantern Alzheimer’s memory care communities. Local reborn artist, Gail Raines, is the creator of the life-like dolls.
Cuddle therapy enables those who struggle with Alzheimer’s to connect to a time in their lives that was very meaningful—motherhood. Now, many more of The Lantern residents at Morning Pointe can reconnect to that piece of their past, bringing them calmness, comfort and a sense of purpose.
“Using these dolls that look and feel like real babies, we can reach some of our Alzheimer’s residents and join in their journey through this program, which helps create meaningful days for them. The staff at Morning Pointe and The Lantern Alzheimer’s Centers of Excellence are excited about this new partnership, as we are always looking for new and innovative ways to meet our residents where they are,” said Greg A. Vital, president and CEO of IHP and Morning Pointe.
Ms. Raines started creating her Gigibeans’ Sprouts dolls as a hobby. After learning about the results of cuddle therapy, she immediately decided that she wanted to be a part of it. “I found a way to use these baby dolls that I love to create so they can be useful in my own community,” shared Ms. Raines. “That is why I wanted to donate some of my creations for this wonderful program at Morning Pointe.” She made the special delivery of the dolls to Morning Pointe of Hixson, and in no time, one of the residents loving on baby Hannah started singing her a lullaby. “It kind of brought it home to me that this is why I am doing this,” shared Ms. Raines. “I didn’t know that when I started this project, but I do know now.”