The ethical considerations
centre around dignity, age appropriateness and whether the person with dementia is being lead to believe
that the doll is a real baby. Andrew (2006) states that
the therapeutic benefits come from the belief that the
doll is a baby and that this should be reinforced. This
is not the same as presenting the doll as a baby, but to
follow the lead of the person. Andrew (2006) describes
how verbal or physical abuse, agitation and emotional
outbursts can be humiliating for the person with
dementia, and if doll therapy reduces this and provides comfort, dignity is preserved.