Through the Seasons: An Activity Book for Memory-Challenged Adults and Caregivers [Hardcover]

Cynthia R. Green (Author), Joan Beloff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 25, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0801888441 | ISBN-13: 978-0801888441 | Edition: 1

Mental stimulation has been found to offer demonstrable benefits for people with Alzheimer disease, dementia, or other memory impairment. Through the Seasons helps family members and caregivers engage memory-challenged adults in simple, enjoyable activities that provide stimulation and enhance communication.

Fun and easy to use, this large-format color picture book is divided into themes representing the four seasons. Each section describes several multisensory experiences—such as picking apples or raking leaves—along with related topics for discussion and activities to elicit memories and encourage new positive associations. The topics and activities incorporate all five senses to facilitate connections and conversations with memory-challenged persons across a wide range of cognitive function.

Designed by nationally recognized experts in gerontology, geriatrics, and memory enhancement, this workbook provides a scientifically sound, well-developed program that will help family caregivers and professionals maintain and enhance relationships with the persons in their care. It also helps memory-impaired individuals to retain dignity and remain active companions, even as their communication skills become increasingly limited.

Through the Seasons includes an introduction with instructions for family and professional caregivers as well as a resources section at the end of the book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Written by a specialist in gerontology and a psychologist with expertise in memory and brain health, this book offers a variety of creative activities meant to stimulate communication with loved ones who have a memory disorder.

(Family Caregiver Alliance 2008)

This book provides a great way to interrupt the daily routines of caregiving with activities that are easy and fun for both the caregiver and the person with dementia. The ideas offered are realistic yet adult in tone, rely on life-long experiences, and are simple to put together.

(Nancy L. Mace, coauthor of The 36-Hour Day 2008)

Through the Seasons is a creative way of conceptualizing, in a practical way, enhanced communication and connection with persons in the moderate to advanced stages of dementia.

(Darby Morhardt, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine )

As a geriatrician who has cared for thousands of people with memory disorders and Alzheimer's disease, I have found that the greatest challenge is creating quality of life. That is what Through the Seasons is about. Patients need structured activities that are intellectually challenging, even though they may have dementia. Perhaps even more valuable, the content in Through the Seasons can greatly assist caregivers in their efforts to fill each day with meaningful activity.

(Howard Fillit, Ph.D., Executive Director, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation and the Institute for the Study of Aging )

This book was very useful in Memory Care. It gave GREAT questions to ask. The photos were nice, clean and clear.

(Eileen Fredman, AAC NCCAP )

About the Author

Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D., is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and the founding director of the Memory Enhancement Program at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She is the president of Memory Arts, LLC, and the author of Total Memory Workout. Joan Beloff, ACC, ALA, is the director of Community Outreach and of the award-winning New Vitality program at Chilton Memorial Hospital.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1 edition (June 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801888441
• ISBN-13: 978-0801888441
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #388,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized expert on memory fitness and brain health. Known for her engaging and personable presentation style, Dr. Green lectures extensively on memory improvement, brain fitness, successful aging and related topics as president of Memory Arts, LLC (www.memoryarts.com). She also provides training and consultation services to numerous corporations, organizations and to the media.

Dr. Green has served on the faculty of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the Mount Sinai Medical Center since 1990, where she is currently an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Green has held various positions within the Mount Sinai Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, including serving as a co-principal investigator on several Alzheimer's disease clinical treatment trials. She has also published several professional articles on the subject.

In 1996, Dr. Green founded The Memory Enhancement Program at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, a unique and innovative program designed to enhance memory fitness in healthy adults of all ages. The program received wide professional and general acclaim, leading to the publication of her self-help book "Total Memory Workout: 8 Easy Steps to Maximum Memory Fitness." Dr. Green is also co-author of "Through the Seasons: an Activity Book for Memory Challenged Adults and their Caregivers," which offers a program providing cognitive and social engagement for persons with dementia. Her latest book is Brainpower Game Plan: Foods, Moves, and Games to Clear Brain Fog, Boost Memory, and Age-Proof Your Mind in 4 Weeks!, written with the editors of Prevention Magazine.

Dr. Green's work has been featured frequently in the media, including Good Morning America, The Early Show, 20/20, CNBC, National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation", Time, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The London Standard, Good Housekeeping, and Parenting. Dr. Green serves as a brain health expert for Prevention, and is the author of the "Stay Sharp!" blog on the Prevention website (www.prevention.com/staysharp).

Dr. Green received her B.A. cum laude from Smith College and her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from New York University. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Society on Aging and the American Geriatrics Society. Dr. Green also serves on the Scientific Review Board of the Institute for the Study of Aging.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Memory exercises that work, May 7, 2010

By 

Marguerite C. Combs (N/E Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Through the Seasons: An Activity Book for Memory-Challenged Adults and Caregivers (Hardcover)

Mom and I have enjoy working through the activities together. The structure and ideas provide impetus sometimes difficult to come by when working with victims of dementia.

2 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Maybe a good idea, or several, here, May 9, 2010

By 

T. Ervin "much2learn" (tucson az usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Through the Seasons: An Activity Book for Memory-Challenged Adults and Caregivers (Hardcover)

We are not entirely convinced that these loving activities (they are loving and they sound loving) will be a good fit for our parents. We'll give them a try. Certainly the activities (remembering old friends, remembering the war, making scrapbooks, touching different fabrics) are not going to stop the tide of dementia. The activities may be pleasant, that's very nice and maybe healthful in its own way. But we see that the activities are also quickly forgotten, and that's as disappointing as can be, somewhat punishing for the caregiver. Try it, see if it helps your patients.