Alzheimer’s disease is one of the cruelest diseases in the world, and over 5.8 million people in the United States alone suffer from it. While the disease is difficult for those suffering from it, it is hard for their family members as well, as they are forced to watch their loved ones suffer while being powerless to help them.

Now, one nonprofit is making life a little bit easier for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease by donating baby dolls to them as a source of comfort. The Kentucky nonprofit organization Pearl’s Memory Babies has donated over 300 baby dolls to patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in nursing homes in Indiana and Kentucky.

Doll therapy has become more and more popular among Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, who often become anxious, aggressive, and agitated. The dolls lower their anxiety levels while also giving them comfort.

Sandy Cambron founded the nonprofit after she gave a doll to her mother-in-law, Pearl Walker.

“She started talking again and she never went anywhere without that baby,” Sandy said. “She took ‘baby’ to the dining room with her and slept with her in her arms every night.”

“When she passed away a year later, we even buried her with that well-loved baby doll,” Sandy added.

Sandy and her husband started donating dolls to other patients in Pearl’s facility.

“Their response was touching and truly amazing,” Sandy recalled. “To honor her after her passing, we continued this tradition at other healthcare facilities with memory care units (as our finances could afford) through the years.”

“I had no idea that it would take off like this. It’s a simple idea, but it works,” Sandy added.

“Some people cry when you hand them their baby,” Sandy said. “Even though we don’t know exactly what they’re thinking, you can tell that the doll has helped bring back some kind of nice memory.”

Elise Hinchman is the marketing and development director at Sayre Christian Village, which recently received 41 dolls and stuffed animals from Pearl’s Memory Babies.

“It’s overwhelming to see how they naturally fall into a rhythm of swaying, rocking and cooing,” she said. “The way they light up is like taking a step back in time. You can imagine them holding their own children.”

“They are still ‘Mom’ or ‘Dad’ inside,” she added. “Some residents feel a real purpose in taking care of their babies because it is ‘important’ work. That nurturing instinct is so innate, and the doll babies bring back fond memories of long ago.”

Find out more about this in the video below.