“Nurturers by nature”: Pearl’s Memory Babies in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – For Dementia sufferers, the smallest things can make a big difference, that’s especially true when they touch emotional ties. Sayre Christian Village is gave Dementia patients a bit of joy through their work with Pearl’s Memory Babies.

“With dementia, residents often have a need to nurture and so having a baby or a puppy to nurture is really important because they have a purpose and they’re thinking of things aside from their normal aches and pains that go along with the aging process,” says Elise Hinchman, Sayre Christian Village Vice President of Marketing and Development.

That’s the idea behind Pearl’s Memory Babies, a group that brings life-like dolls and puppies to Dementia patients and older adults. Friday, the group visited Sayre Christian Village and brightened the day for patients there.

“To see the resident’s eyes light up, and to see how they interact with their babies and their dogs is just, it’s a cup-filler for me and it really reinforces the why behind the reason we do what we do,” says Karen Venis, CEO of Sayre Christian Village.

Sayre Christian Village says people with Dementia remember history, so they often are nurturers by nature.

“A person never forgets the nurturing, they never forget how to love, they never forget that feeling,” says Sandy Cambron, President of Pearl’s Memory Babies.

“The isolation that we have had with COVID, it’s real and so for these folks to be able to interact with these babies and take ownership of these dogs, it will give them a sense of purpose which is what we all need at this point and time during the pandemic,” says Venis.