Dolls in care homes for the elderly calm and soothe according to one doctor.

Ian James, a doctor at the Centre for the Health of the Elderly at Newcastle General Hospital said the use of dolls in care homes for the elderly can help reduce disruptive behaviour.

“There are a number of reasons for the powerful effect of the doll in reducing some of the challenging behaviour,” he told Reuters (in a story about “reborn babies”) by telephone.

“People are comforted and are so much calmer and quieter — you just have to be there to witness that.”

“It’s a familiar role from time when they were busy and happy,” his co-researcher Lorna Mackenzie said.

I’m scared of the future and old age. I don’t really want to know how life might be 30 years from now or 50 years from now if I’m lucky enough to still be here and healthy. Maybe it’s crazy and hectic and all too much insanity sometimes but it sure beats frailty and dementia.

Yes, we’re busy and we’re happy.