Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer's Victim You Love [Paperback]

Barbara Smith (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1435710258 | ISBN-13: 978-1435710252 | Publication Date: March 1, 2008

This book is the story of the author's mother as she succumbs to Alzheimer's disease over an eight year period. Readers will learn about therapeutic techniques, adaptations and behavioral interventions to promote function and quality of life. Extensive resources and medical, legal and care-giving information provide survival tools. The target audience is friends and family of an Alzheimer's disease victim and readers who enjoy a compelling memoir. Visit the author at: barbarasmithoccupationaltherapist.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Lulu.com (March 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1435710258
• ISBN-13: 978-1435710252
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,809,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have been an occupational therapist for over twenty-five years but it wasn't until I worked with adults with severe developmental disabilities that I discovered a penchant for creating highly effective therapeutic activities out of household materials such as detergent bottles, cardboard boxes and newspapers. My book "The Recycling Occupational Therapist" describes how to fabricate and use these activities. There are also additional photos and activities on my Recycling OT website and Facebook page:The Recycling Occupational Therapist.

When my own mother developed Alzheimer's disease, I put my occupational therapy background and creative abilities to use again to help my mother. My book titled "Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer's Victim You Love" stresses that any person at any stage of this degenerative disease can relate to people and objects when given the environmental adaptations and activities designed for their ability level.

My Youtube movies elaborate on these themes with directions on making activities for individuals with all types of cognitive impairments. Please visit, learn and comment!

My newest book (published 2011, by therapro, Inc.) is titled From Rattles to Writing: A Parent's Guide to Hand Skills. This book is written for parents with typically and atypically developing children from ages birth through five years to help develop the skills needed to read and write.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I found this to be a very helpful book, July 27, 2008

By 

Ellen S-tchakirides (Shepherdstown, WV, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer's Victim You Love (Paperback)

I bought this book when my mother was in the late stages of the disease, but I wish I had owned it earlier when I was learning about the symptoms and how to deal with behavioral changes. The author explains how to adapt the environment and activities not only so that the person can enjoy life to the fullest, but also to enhance relationships with loved ones. We all want to be able to do something - not just stand by helpless - and the author provides some simple things that all of us can do for our family member. Readers will enjoy getting to know Smith's quirky mother and this personal element adds warmth and readability to what is otherwise, a difficult but very necessary subject.

Ellen Tchakirides

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An occupational therapist loves this book, October 18, 2009

By 

Susan K. Weiner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer's Victim You Love (Paperback)

As the Director of the Occupational Therapy Department at a facility that supports adults with developmental disabilities, I have witnessed Barbara's skills in adapting therapeutic activities that creatively maximize peoples' abilities. She was so successful at doing so she put her ideas into a book titled The Recycling Occupational Therapist. Now Barbara has done the same thing for her Mother and has written a book that in a loving story describes therapeutic activities appropriate for each stage of decline associated with Alzheimer's Disease. The story of Barbara Smith's journey in discovering ways to help and enjoy her Mother is told from the perspective of an occupational therapist and that of a loving daughter.
This is a must read for anyone involved with someone with Alzheimer's through personal connections or through his or her work life. While making salient points on every page, her writing style is so engaging that one does not want to put the book down. Barbara is able to make this story a wonderful resource guide as she interweaves the personal account of her Mother and her family's experience with Alzheimer's Disease with resources and activity ideas on every page. It is an uplifting story filled with anecdotes, fun activities, useful information, and even jokes. Many of the suggestions for environmental adaptations would be helpful for individuals with any type of cognitive disability whether living in a residential facility or being cared for at home. One aspect that makes this book so unique is helping caregivers to enjoy the relationship with their loved ones as the person declines. Many nursing home residents do not have visitors as families find it depressing or just do not know what to do during the visits. Barbara is able to inspire people to visit and give them activities to enjoy that will help them share their time together in a meaningful way while still enjoying the blessings of the loved ones. This is truly a must read book for family members and other caregivers of Alzheimer's victims and an inspiration for health care professionals who want to improve quality of life for their patients.

Susan K. Weiner, MHS, OTR/L

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for loved ones and healthcare professionals caring for those with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, July 19, 2008

By 

Susan Berg "alzheimersideas" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer's Victim You Love (Paperback)

"Still Giving Kisses", by Barbara Smith is a hidden jewel of a book for loved ones and healthcare professionals entrusted with the care of a person with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.
The book chronicles Smith's journey with her mother, Sarah, who had Alzheimer's disease.
The reader benefits from Smith's experiences, knowledge and ideas.
She discusses many need to know items such as: depression, adapting activities, and behavioral issues.
She shares things to do with an Alzheimer's person that are enjoyable and stress free for all involved in his/her care.
All healthcare workers and loved ones will want to have this book to use over and over again
by Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby: Meaningful, Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones, and Involved Professionals [...]