FIL moved into skilled nursing facility in retirement community, MIL lives in apartment in same community. FIL recently purchased a stuffed dog that he takes everywhere with him. He talks to it and pets it as if it is real. Is this something that we should be worried about? He told his social worker that he is very attached to this stuffed dog.
recent test study was done in a NH...they provided baby dolls to patients. They found that they were cuddled and handled just like real babies, and those patients with the dolls adjusted better, were happier and more medically stable.
there are lots of “up side” benefits, and no bad side effects.
encourage it.