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Shadowbox Press – Innovative Products for the Memory Impaired

03/031 Comment

Shadowbox Press bring Interactive Books
dogs

Interactive Books for the Memory Impaired

Shadow Box Press creates books for the memory impaired. Books that are more than “picture books” or “storyteling!”

The mission of Shadowbox Press is to develop interactive products for memory-impaired adults to revisit and share memories through the experience of reading. Yet, some people with Alzheimer’s, Dementia or other memory-loss have impairment too severe for reading.

My mom was an avid reader and could often be seen with an open book in her lap. I’d watch as she read a single page and turned to the next. Then a bewildered look would wash over her face before she turned back to the page she’d already read. This scenario played-out over and over as her memory could longer span the time it took to turn the page.

The Shadowbox Press Books have solved this issue. Each page is a story within itself. When you turn the page a complete, new story is there to read on the next page. With large, colorful photos and extra large, bold text each book is easy to read and follow along. Every book can be read independently by the person with memory-loss or shared by a caregiver, loved one, staff member or volunteer.

As anyone who has been a caregiver knows, there is nothing like a loved one’s smile of accomplishment and happiness when they are able to do something which had previously been impossible–like Reading!

Of all the requests this website receives each month “Ideas for activities” for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, dementia or memory loss is at the top of the list.

The Shadowbox Press Books solve this issue. Besides the wonderful short stories on each page, there’s a surprise in the back of each book.

  • Conversation starters: A series of four questions which correlate with the pages in the book. These include both open-ended and closed-ended questions to ask your loved one. My mom was in late stage Alzheimer’s when she passed away but she could have responded to many of these “Conversation Starters.” A great source for the caregiver who is sometimes speechless with the person who has memory loss.
  • Sensory Stimulation Activities: With the help of a caregiver, these is a long list of activities that correlate to the pages of the book. Simple activities such as assembling a puzzle, clipping coupons, or snuggling a stuffed animal. And a few outdoor activities if weather permits.
  • Creative Expression Activities: These are arts and crafts projects that are simple to make and easily accomplished with a little assistance. They will certainly bring pleasure to the person with memory loss who still feels a sense of pride for such an accomplishment.
  • Physical Movement Activities: Easy to do indoor and outdoor activities that bring pleasure, build strength and stamina, and give that “ahh good” feeling to someone we love!

Shadowbox Press Books will spark the imagination, promote self-reflection, and provide a way to findshadowboxpress meaning in experiences. All accomplished with these books!
Any of these books would make a perfect gift for anyone with Alzheimer’s, dementia or memory loss.

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Check out a Shadowbox Press Book below:

Dogs and Puppies – Heartwarming Stories of Man’s Best Friend are designed to provide an easy and effective way to improve the quality of communication between caregivers and memory-impaired adults. Dogs and Puppies chronicles the antics and adventures of man’s best friend. From playing catch in the park to rooting for scraps in the trash, each heartwarming tale accompanied by an endearing photograph, recalls a treasured moment of dog ownership.

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Filed Under: Books Reviewed, Recommended Reading Tagged With: alzheimer's activities, books, dogs, impaired, memory, puppies, reading

Finding the Sweet Moments in Alzheimer’s

01/161 Comment

Finding the sweet moments in Alzheimer’s

by Linda Austin

My mother was in a nursing home the last three and a half years, suffering the later stages of Alzheimer’s. Her mind had become too dangerous to let her live alone, but she fought the disease—and me trying to help her—with such vehemence I had to move her to a new “senior apartment with helpers.”

She had been kicked out of her real senior apartment for sending billowing smoke from the microwave into the hallway, which set off the smoke alarm causing all the elderly to evacuate the six-story building into a winter night. She told the firemen she knew nothing about any smoke coming from her room.

Looking back at photos, I see her decline was frighteningly rapid. She went from wandering the nursing home with an ankle monitor to being unable to walk to being unable to complete even half a sentence. Then she needed help eating.

She became a tiny, sleepy shadow of her normally feisty, busy-body self, and the despair I felt seeing her like that was soul-crushing. I was left feeling grateful for the smallest of things. That she usually remembered who I was had become a very big thing.

I went to see the cherry blossoms today
but their season was over.
Instead I reveled
in the blooms of crab apples

It was during my mom’s last year or so that I began writing poetry, documenting my experiences at the nursing home while hoping to prevent myself from getting Alzheimer’s by keeping my mind sharp. Poems That Come to Mind appeared on Amazon.com a few days before my mother felt ill and never recovered.

The book is a tribute to her and our new friends at the nursing home with dementia. The bittersweet poems give dignity to those lost in dementia and are reminders that despite the tragedy of Alzheimer’s there is still beauty in their lives.

Small moments, in fact, can carry an exquisite sweetness when those simple pleasures are all that is left.

pink magnolias
we both nap in the spring breeze
no thoughts needed

Accepting the situation was key to being able to see and appreciate these sweet moments with my mother. The visits where I could relax and slow down time with her let me notice and appreciate the littlest things, like feeling the quiet peace of just holding hands, listening to a dove coo on a warm afternoon, or singing an old lullaby together. Being with the other residents let me have special moments with them, too, looking at magazine photos, taking turns sniffing a flower, or simply sharing a smile hello. Many times someone would momentarily break free of the dementia clouds and come out with a funny or feisty remark that would set us all to laughing. You never know what they might say!

Even if your dear one sleeps most of the time or doesn’t know who you are, he or she can feel your touch and hear your voice and can feel comforted by your presence. Talk to her, sing to him, kiss her and tell her you love her. She is there, he is there. Watch for the little precious moments and carry them in your heart.

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Poems That Come to Mind: For Those Who Love Someone With Dementia

 

 

It’s only a game
the two of them played
entwining smiles

Author: Linda Austin enjoys poetry and encourages life writing through her blog at http://moonbridgebooks.com. Her books include her Japanese mother’s WWII memoir, Cherry Blossoms in Twilight, and Poems That Come to Mind: for those who love someone with dementia. Linda lost her mother to Alzheimer’s in November 2012.

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Filed Under: Recommended Reading Tagged With: Alzheimer's, behavior, memory, memory loss, mother, your story

Dementia, Alzheimer’s and other books with health in mind

01/072 Comments

books

Dementia, Alzheimer’s and other Books

Recently, I was searching Amazon for the new book by Gary Joseph LeBlanc “Managing Alzheimer’s and Dementia Behaviors: Common Sense Caregiving,” and was surprised to see how many new Alzheimer’s books have been released recently. I try to stay up to date with reading and reviewing new ones, but  I think I’ve been slacking recently.

While I was caring for my Mom, I think I read a book a day sometimes, every new nugget of info about Alzheimer’s was like gold. It’s like an unfed hunger when you’re trying to make sense of this disease and help someone you love so much. So here are a few new books for our list of “good reads” about Alzheimer’s.

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 Managing Alzheimer’s and Dementia Behaviors: Common Sense Caregiving

alz

Of course, I already know Gary LeBlanc’s new booklet will be helpful for the caregiver as well as the person with Alzheimer’s.

Gary Joseph LeBlanc is a columnist, speaker and book dealer from Spring Hill, Florida. He was the primary caregiver of his beloved father stricken with Alzheimer’s disease for nearly the past decade.

I’m sure the information in this new booklet will be a catalyst in creating a better understanding between professional caregivers and the family members of the patients who they are caring for.

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The Alzheimer’s Diet: A Step-by-Step Nutritional Approach for Memory Loss Prevention and Treatment (Volume 1)

 

alz-diet

I think I may have been a little skeptical of this diet book while caring for my Mom. I did take care that she got a balanced diet but now that I’m coping with COPD, I have anew insight into guarding even my balanced diet. If I eat the wrong food, I can be immediately short of breath. No fun predicament and a real eye-opener for me about diet, food and our general well-being.

Dr. Richard Isaacson and renowned nutrition expert, Dr. Christopher Ochner team up to create this ground-breaking nutritional guide for individuals concerned about memory loss. In recent years, there has been an explosion in research on nutritional interventions for Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment, which is considered to be the most severe public health crisis of our day.

Based on empirical evidence, The Alzheimer’s Diet outlines what to eat, what not to eat, and highlights a step-by-step approach for improving memory and protecting the brain through diet.

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Creating Moments of Joy: A Journal for Caregivers, Fourth Edition

alz-memories

Jolene Brackey has a vision. A vision that will soon look beyond the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and focus more of our energy on creating moments of joy.

When a person has short-term memory loss, his life is made up of moments. But if you think about it, our memory is made up of moments, too. We are not able to create a perfectly wonderful day with someone who has dementia, but it is absolutely attainable to create a perfectly wonderful moment; a moment that puts a smile on their face, a twinkle in their eye, or triggers a memory. Five minutes later, they won’t remember what you did or said, but the feeling you left them with will linger.

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Use Your Brain to Change Your Age: Secrets to Look, Feel, and Think Younger Every Day

 

alz-brain

I must admit, I haven’t read this book yet but that title is intriguing, don’t you think. I thought it might be an informing read for those of us who can change our behavior and make a difference in our future.

From the bestselling author and PBS star, a brain healthy program to turn back the clock, and keep your mind sharp and your body fit.

For more than 20 years, Dr. Daniel Amen has been helping people look and feel young, healthy, and vibrant with his brain healthy strategies. Now, he shares his complete anti-aging program, to improve memory, focus, and energy; keep your heart and immune system strong; and reduce the outward signs of aging.

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Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear In The Refrigerator?

Max Wallack’s New Book  is an outstanding read for the youngster who is coping with the confusion of living with a loved one who has dementia.

Grandma-has-dementia

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Filed Under: Books Reviewed, Recommended Reading Tagged With: Alzheimer's, books, caregiver, dementia, diet, grandma, memory, reading

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

11/191 Comment

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Many of us are brought into caregiving a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease without knowing What Alzheimer’s Disease really is.

I’ve often stated, David Shenk’s:  “The Forgetting: Portrait of an Epidemic” was the first I found while searching for understanding after my Mom’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

Most of what I knew, thought, and believed about Alzheimer’s was wrong and I was filled with fear about what Mom and myself (as her caregiver) would ultimately face in the future.

“The Forgetting,” is the most comprehensive book I’ve read about Alzheimer’s and I’m glad that it was also the first book I read. There are few caregiver’s stories and more basic facts. Yet, that’s what I needed to understand in the beginning when I had no caregiver stories of my own to compare.

Recently, a friend suggested that I view a new video at You Tube. “What is Alzheimer’s?”

Like “The Forgetting,” she said, this new video makes understanding Alzheimer’s simple and clear.

I watched the video and was surprised to see how simply it explained such a complicated disease. “What is Alzheimer’s?”

After viewing this video, you’ll find many questions answered about origin and nature and the progression of Alzheimer’s on the human brain. It’s Brief but enlightening.

After viewing it myself, I was not surprised to learn that it had been Written and Directed by David Shenk.

View the Video “What is Alzheimer’s” below,  and let us know what you think –

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What is Alzheimer’s – You Tube

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The Forgetting: Alzheimer’s: Portrait of an Epidemic

 

Afflicting nearly half of all persons over the age of 85, Alzheimer’s disease kills nearly 100,000 Americas a year as it insidiously robs them of their memory and wreaks havoc on the lives of their loved ones. It was once minimized and misunderstood as forgetfulness in the elderly, but Alzheimer’s is now at the forefront of many medical and scientific agendas, for as the world’s population ages, the disease will kill millions more….

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Filed Under: Recommended Reading, The Stages, What are the Signs and Symptoms Tagged With: David Shenk, hippocampos, memory, tangles and plaques, The Forgetting, What is Alzheimer's

Mom forgot me yet remembered a family dog from 70 earlier

08/066 Comments

Mom forgot me, yet remembered a family dog from 70 years ago?

The way Alzheimer’s forms in the brain, as tangles and plaque, determines how it progresses. At first it was difficult for me to understand that Mom could forget me yet remember a family dog from 70 years earlier.

Memories are formed in a particular order from the first memories after birth until death. When tangles and plaques begin forming in the brain, they follow the exact same order in reverse. Current memories are forgotten first, and then the forgetting moves backwards wiping out all memories like an eraser on a chalkboard.

Alzheimer’s begins in the hippocampus. As the hippocampus degrades from the formation of these tangles and plaque, the formation of new memories fails. It is not certain how long the plaques and tangles linger there, it could be 5 years, 10 or even 20. But eventually they will begin to spread and spread throughout the temporal, parietal and frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex. Eventually, sticky plaques cover most of the thinking brain. In this process tens of millions of synapses dissolve away.

In 1980 New York University neurologist Barry Reisberg realized that the Alzheimer’s-childhood analogy is not just anecdotal–that it could be measured. He documented these observations in comparison charts. The sequence of abilities gained and lost nearly perfectly mirror each other.

This chart may help to understand what is happening as the Alzheimer’s patient’s memory fails, in reverse of how it was formed in the beginning. (Copyright David Shenk, “The Forgetting”)

Child’s Development

1-3 months     Can hold head up
2-4 months     Can smile
6-10 months  Can sit without assistance
1 Year               Can walk without Assistance
1 Year               Can speak one word
15 months       Can speak 5-6 words
2-4 years         Can control bowels/urine
4 years             Use toilet without assistance
4-5 years        Adjust bath water
4-5 years        Can dress them-self
5-7 years        Can select proper clothing
8-12 years       Can handle simple finances
12+ years        Can hold job/prepare meals,etc.

Alzheimer’s Disease Progression

Stage            Ability Lost

1            No difficulty at all
2            Some memory issues affect job/home
3            Difficulty maintaining a job performance
4            Can no longer hold job/prepare meals/handle personal  finances
5            Can no longer select proper clothing for season
6a          Can no longer dress self
6b          Can no long adjust bath water temperature
6c          Can no longer use toilet w/out assistance
6d          Urinary incontinence
6e          Fecal incontinence
7a          Speech limited to 6 or so words per day
7b          Speech limited to 1 word
7c          Can no longer walk w/out assistance
7d          Can no longer sit up w/out assistance
7e          Can no longer smile
7f           Can no  longer hold head up

I agree that this analogy is sad and devastating to see. But I do believe that it helps to form a new understanding of what our loved ones or other sufferers of Alzheimer’s Dementia are actually going through, to understand how they feel and what they are enduring. Rather than growing angry when they don’t remember something we just said, or re-tell the same story over and over again, we can learn to be more accepting of their predicament.

As caregivers, perhaps we can strive to feel more compassion when they behave childishly rather than as the adult that we remember. By viewing our loved one as reverting back to childhood in behavior and mentalities, we can establish a more loving formula for their care, lower our own expectations for what they can do and what they can not do.

Much of this article is taken from David Shenk’s book, “The Forgetting”
I’ll be forever grateful for all the understanding it gave me while my Mom was struggling on her return to childhood–

You can scroll down and Read the first Chapter of this informative book for FREE!

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the-forgettingFrom Publishers Weekly

With grace and precision, Shenk (Data Smog), a journalist and occasional NPR commentator, presents a lyric biography of Alzheimer’s, “a condition specific to humans and as old as humanity.” At one time, doctors thought senility, or dementia, was an inevitable fact of growing older. Now they know that Alzheimer’s is a specific, formidable disease that threatens to reach epidemic proportions within the next 50 years. The disease is named for the neurologist who, in 1906, first noticed, in the brain of an autopsied patient, the telltale plaques and tangles that strangle the brain’s neurons.

Shenk presents a thoughtful and complex rumination on many aspects of Alzheimer’s, including anecdotes about the memory loss experienced by Ronald Reagan, Ralph Waldo Emerson and E.B. White. He recounts the tales of caregivers, many of whom become clinically depressed and who, along with physicians, draw an analogy between the developing skills of a child and the decrease in cognitive ability that besets Alzheimer’s patients. {For More Information}

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First Chapter for FREE

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Filed Under: communication, EARLY STAGE, LATE STAGE, The Stages Tagged With: childish, Confusing, dementia, Early Alzheimer's, memory

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