Do you love to read? Most of us enjoy the simple pleasures of sitting down with a good book and losing ourselves in the pages of a story. It’s something that everyone at every age can enjoy, even for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
“We talk a lot about reading out loud to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia as a meaningful, enjoyable activity,” says Fred Kelly, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Lexington. “Alzheimer’s care specialists also understand that someone living with dementia can still enjoy reading throughout their journey. Even in the later stages of cognitive decline, individuals can still enjoy looking at picture books or simple reading books, even if they require assistance with other activities of daily living.”
It’s important, of course, to make sure that whatever books you choose for your loved one reflect their ability without pandering to or insulting them.
“Many easy-to-read books are written for children, which aren’t suitable for older adults who should be respected for the people they are,” Fred explains. “Fortunately, there are many authors who have seen the need for thoughtful, interesting and enjoyable books for those with diseases like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.”
One of these authors is Emma Rose Sparrow, who is considered a leader in the genre of books written for those with dementia and other cognitive diseases. When her parents were diagnosed with dementia, she realized there was a need for books that are enjoyable, formatted for the reader’s abilities and written for dignified, easy reading.
Emma’s books come in three different levels. Level 3 is for individuals in the earlier stages of dementia. These books feature large printing, have additional spaces between sentences to make the story easier to follow and bright color photos scattered throughout the book. Level 2 stories are designed for those in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease and focus more on colors and photos instead of printed words. Level 1 books are designed for those in the later stages of dementia who can no longer read the printed word but still enjoy holding, looking at and paging through books. These self-described “picture books for adults” feature beautiful, full-color photos of nature scenes, animals, birds and babies.
Some favorites from Emma’s 20+ book collection include:
- What the Wind Showed to Me
- A Dusting of Snow
- The Sandy Shoreline
- The Splendor of Babies
- A Bevy of Blue
Sunny Street Books is a publishing house solely dedicated to creating uplifting, enjoyable books for seniors with dementia as well as those with eyesight or strength challenges. To respect their readers, Sunny Street Books designs books that are as beautiful and carefully curated as those meant for a more general readership. Perhaps most importantly, books from Sunny Street never mention Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or any other challenges the reader might be facing. This allows their stories to be enjoyed by anyone without embarrassment, offense or discomfort.
Sunny Street Books offers three different types of books: pictures-only books; picture books with minimal text; and illustrated stories in large print. They also offer adult coloring books. Several favorite Sunny Street Books include:
Jamie Stonebridge is a pen name used by a collaboration of writers who all have direct, positive experiences of working with individuals with dementia. These books are designed around the idea that enjoyment is gained from the simplicity of everyday events and the calming effect of a satisfying ending. Beyond being relevant for those with dementia, they are also excellent choices for those with concentration issues or who are in rehabilitation after a stroke. A few examples from the collection include:
There are a wide variety of other writers and publishing houses that specialize in books and activities for those with Alzheimer’s disease, including Shadowbox Press and Mighty Oak Books. Thanks to the Internet, these books are easy to find and easy to get, making a meaningful afternoon for you or your loved one just a few clicks away.
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