Designed
specifically for people with dementia, Pictures to Share books provide large
scale, clear images combined with short text to get conversations going and
encourage reminiscence.
Getting
the most from your Pictures to Share book.
Books
designed for people with dementia can encourage quality communication and
discussion when shared with carers and provide a calming activity for the
person to do alone to promote a feeling of worth and wellbeing. The sharing of
books needs to be a supportive, person centred environment. It is best to sit
close together, helping to turn pages when needed. Linger over any pages that
seem to interest the person and use comment, questions and your own experiences
to generate conversation.
It
can be helpful to talk about what you think about the picture or text. Comment
on where the picture is or what the people may be doing or talk about who might
have taken the photograph or painted the picture. If the person is uncertain
about what is in the pictures, suggest what you think it could be. ‘It looks a
bit like...' ‘Do you think it could be a...' ‘To me it looks like...' Avoid asking questions such as, ‘What
is this?' or ‘Do you remember...? These questions ask for facts stored in the
memory and this is the very area that is the most challenged in people who have
dementia. In contrast, by using questions such as, ‘What are your
thoughts...?' you can create a warm and rewarding experience for both yourself
and the person with dementia. For more communication hints, read our article, Sparking
Conversations.
Pictures
or text may prompt other memories not immediately connected to what is in the
picture. Time spent talking about these memories is all part of the benefits of
this type of book. Some people may also want to go through the book again and
again. This may be because they enjoyed looking at the book or having some one-on-one
attention. Leave the book with them so they can continue to enjoy the
experience.
In the Garden ...in pictures
In the
Garden provides a taste of outdoors life from growing vegetables to playing in
the snow. Bright and detailed images of flowers and garden wildlife bring the
beauty of nature indoors.
This
delightful book is ideal to encourage meaningful communication between the
person with dementia and carers or visitors.
With a selection of beautiful, powerful and amusing images and words,
Pets in Pictures is another in our series of books designed
specifically for people with dementia in mind
This
book portrays the special relationships between people and their pets.
Travelling in pictures takes the reader on a fascinating journey.
Whether travelling by foot, boat, plane, train, car or camel, this book
reminds readers of days spent ‘on the road'.
The book also incorporates
themes of immigration, exploration and the journey
of the three wise men.
