Kennemerhart Occupational Therapist Presents Innovative Doll Therapy at European Dementia Care Conference
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC – September 7, 2025 – Kennemerhart occupational therapist Nicole van Brunschot shared expertise in doll therapy at the European Reminiscence Network Conference in Prague, held from September 5-7. the conference brought together European healthcare professionals to exchange knowledge and best practices in personal dementia care and reminiscence therapy – utilizing the recall of memories to enhance the well-being of individuals living with dementia.
Van Brunschot’s presentation,”Doll Therapy: reconnecting through Reminiscence in Dementia Care,” highlighted the benefits of offering lifelike dolls to dementia patients,fostering feelings of security and triggering positive memories. She demonstrated how this specialized form of reminiscence can provide comfort, pleasure, and opportunities for meaningful connection to the past.
Using practical examples, including the “Pop ’Saar” approach, Van Brunschot explained how doll therapy promotes peace, connection, and memory recall. “Doll therapy is more than handing over a doll – it’s handing back a memory,” she stated.
Kennemerhart has developed a guideline for doll therapy, based on research conducted at its Overspaarne location, an expert facility for dementia and complex behavior. Doll therapy is presented as a non-drug intervention to reduce or prevent problem behaviors associated with dementia.
Further information on doll therapy is available at https://www.kennemerhart.nl/nieuws/de-kracht-van-poppentherapie/ and the therapy guideline can be found at https://www.kennemerhart.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Richtlijn-poppentherapie.pdf.
