Customer Reviews

Alzheimer's Activities That Stimulate the Mind

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I sent this book back, it could encourage unproductive activity situations. Although there are some good activities mentioned in this book, most of the activities outlined either simply don't work or are, at worst, counter productive for Alzheimer's persons. The author, who appears to lack knowledge of dementia and activities (she is a nurse not a RT) should become acquainted with Reisberg's 7 Stages of Alzheimer's or Johnson and Johnson's Alzheimer's as a 'trip back in time' article (American J. of Alzheimer's Disease, April, 2000). Just because a person works at a facility which cares for demented persons does not mean she knows what she is talking about. I wonder if this person has a degree in Gerontological Nursing or Gerontology? This author ill-advises readers to use activities that aid in "reality orientation" or "24 hour reality orientation" for a person with dementia. That idea is so dated and counter-productive it is ridiculous. The requirement for 24 hour reality orientation in nursing facilities is currently being either changed or questioned by most gerontologists. For example, the trend is for changes in the 24 hour RO requirement written into the policy and procedures for dedicated dementia wings or for nursing facilies (since they are running over 60 percent dementia),where the Activity Director validates the Alzheimer's person's delusions. Why? Because RO simply doesn't work or delievers a bad message for most demented persons. Unlike depression or delirium, demented persons have lost their abilities to think, remember and reason. So instead person-centered activities are the trend, where the activity accomopanies the AD person on his or her "trip back in time" instead of imposing your reality on the different reality of the AD person. When the Alzheimer's person has time-traveled back to age 20 or 30 and she is told she has grandchildren or an 80 year old husband, the only result of this correction will be either an argument or a message to the AD person that she is dumb! In summary, reality orientation does not work for dementia persons and should be restricted to depressed or mildly confused elders only. RO was originally used for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome men in Alabama and then became a national requirement for all nursing homes. But nursing homes house mainly demented persons now. So this outdated procedure is counter productive for demented persons. Activities focused on person-centered care are the current trend. Person-centered activities do mostly the opposite of what is suggested in this really bad book. Person-centered activities use validation instead of reality orientation and are matched with the 7 stages/sub-stages of AD persons in sink with the person's "trip back in time."

this is the best book I have ever ead that explains alzheimers to the lay person. You know how that person feels when you finsih it and also itis obvious that the writer understand how the caregiver feels. It has enhaced the time i spend with my grandmother more than anythinf I have ever found. I would recommend this book to eveyone, it is an invaluable asset.