We all know that children love their teddy bears.
We have talked about adults still owning a bear in previous blogs, but what about our senior citizens?
Will the teddy bear still feature in our lives when we reach our senior years?
Well, the answer is yes! One in three adults over the age of 70 have a bear-shaped cuddly toy in their house.
Often, these teddies are gifts from Grandchildren or children sent for special birthdays, Get-Well wishes, or just to provide comfort and companionship when they cannot be there.
Stuffed toys remind the person of the relative who gifted them, helping to provide a connection with them.
The Healing Power of the Teddy
Increasing numbers of our senior citizens are spending their last years living in nursing homes.
Often, they have lost a loved one that provided comfort and security for them.
Some have no family to visit and life can be lonely. Can a stuffed toy help to fill that gap?
Well, it’s not too surprising to learn that a cuddly bear or animal can help in these circumstances.
These plush creatures are capable of putting smiles back on faces and helping the elderly to feel comforted.
Often, they bring back memories of their childhood and this helps to create feelings of contentment and happiness.
Staff in nursing homes have reported that cuddly toys can provide hours of comfort and cuddles and the same sense of security that a favourite teddy bear can provide for a child.
Click here to see our lovely range of Voice Message Teddies
This year, when visiting elderly relatives in care homes has been difficult, the voice message teddy has been a popular gift to send to Grandparents to let them know how much they are loved.
Hearing a special message from a loved one has helped many people.
You can imagine the delight on Grandpa’s face when he squeezes the bears tummy and hears his young Grandchildren telling him that they love him. It really is a special gift that is worth its weight in gold.
Build a Bear
Earlier this year, Bears4u provided a local care home with a number of build-a-bear teddies.
With the help of the care workers, the residents assembled the bears.
Stuffing them and placing a heart inside them with a voice message for someone provided hours of therapeutic fun.
The bears were then sent to Grandchildren and friends and some donated to a hospital.
The True Value of a Teddy
Isn’t it just amazing the different ‘uses’ that a bear can have?
We can’t think of any other toy that is suitable for so many different occasions and from birth through to our final years.
The teddy bear truly is a unique character. A lifetime friend.
Bear Shopping: If you are looking for a special gift, you can browse our full range of teddy bears here.
