An 80-year-old woman who was diagnosed with dementia has regained her speech and some memories - with the help of a six-month-old baby.

 

Morleen Templeman had been struggling to communicate since she was diagnosed with the disease. She moved into the care facility of Feros Village in Bungalow, New South Wales, Australia for full-time assistance. 

 

The Aussie woman got along very well with the staff at the centre, but faced problems communicating to them because of her disease. 

 

“One of the biggest ways she's been affected is her speech, she'll be out there muttering and muttering but nothing is clear, only very occasionally she might say 'thank you' or 'pretty flower',” care manager, Jo Dwyer told ACB News Australia.

 

However, when carer Sally Fletcher visited the centre with her sixth-month daughter Lola, Morleen was miraculously able to communicate properly.

 

"It blew my mind away. I watched when we welcomed Morleen into the village, and her journey then was quite difficult and to see the woman she becomes around Lola … her transformation is incredible," Sally said.

 

 

Morleen's maternal instincts are instantly triggered when she sees the little girl, and she perks up straight away. 

 

"When Morleen sees Lola, her whole body just changes. She has this really maternal energy, and you can just see her shoulders become upright. She starts putting her hands out like she wants to hold Lola, her speech becomes so much more improved."

 

According to Sally, Morleen has been able to say full sentences like: “Where’s her nappy?” and “Can I hold her?”. 

 

Sally says that Lola and Morleen help each other. Baby Lola is able to trigger speech and past memories for Morleen; while Morleen helps little Lola get to sleep, and changes her nappy. 

 

"Lola sleeps so well post-visits. I did not expect the benefits that I was going to gain. Research is out there about the benefits to seniors, but I definitely underestimated the benefits Lola and I benefited from," said Sally. 

 

 

"For me, you can go through days just holding your baby and not actually being able to watch her, so coming to a village and handing her over to someone you trust and then sitting back with a cup of coffee and watching your baby is really special,"

 

Sally went on to explain that Morleen even helps her to remember important things when she's struggling with baby brain. 

 

"Then in winter I didn't put socks on and Morleen reminded me I should put socks on, so here I am with baby brain and Morleen living with dementia and the two of us get the job done." she said. 

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