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I care for my sister who is in memory care. Does anyone have experience with giving a large weighted stuffed animal to someone with dementia so they have something to cuddle? We had given my mother a baby doll and she thought it was real, however, my sister will know the stuffed animal isn't real. Anytime she has a chance to cuddle a real dog she does so. Thinking about Christmas.

Even if she knows it isn't real, it would most likely help her. The cuter the better. My mom tried to feed her stuffed animals, a dog and cat, that had actions and barked, growled, meowed, purred. Sometimes she'd say "There is something wrong with this dog. I think she might not be real". But that did not stop her from loving her. One think you have to watch out for is other residents taking off with the stuffed animals. Another thought, do they by any chance have a real dog at the facility? If not, maybe look into visiting care dogs. Sometimes dog owners will take their pets in to facilities for the residents to pet and talk to. My mom would get right down on the floor with any animal brought in.
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Reply to ArtistDaughter
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I think it is a lovely idea. I saw the most BEAUTIFUL stuffed animals, everything from cat to chicken to cow in a shop the other day, so soft and cuddly I immediately wanted one. Let us say she doesn't want to cuddle it, it is lovely just to stroke and just to have perched on the bed. Have fun picking it out. GREAT gift (for ME for sure!)
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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They gave stuffed cats now that look so real. Even have action. There maybe dogs too.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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