Results of our customer questionnaire 2008-9

77% of people who responded to our 2008-9 questionnaire, said they are very happy with the books and the person for whom the books had been bought is very interested in them.

How do people respond to our books?

When asked how the person with dementia used and reacted to the books we had the following responses:

In most cases (85%) the carer or visitor looks through the books with the person with dementia. In the majority of cases (80%) the books encourage conversation and communication. It seems that even those with limited communication enjoy the books, as even more people with dementia smile when shown the books (86%). 

A high percentage of those (56%) responding to the questionnaire said that the person with dementia happily looks through the books on their own, whilst over a third (37%) pick up the books unprompted. Over half (54%) read some or all of the text out aloud.

Using the books in care homes

We always try and encourage care homes that buy the books to leave them displayed in lounges so that residents, carers and visitors can pick them up and use them at any time. Only just over a half of those care homes responding say that they are freely available, whilst the remainder said they were not.

When used in care homes the books can have additional benefits. Nearly half of respondents said the books help to make visiting easier by providing an enjoyable and easy, shared activity. Over a third said the books help staff to get to know residents better, whilst half said the books help staff to communicate with residents.

Although nearly a third of respondents feel that the books are a little on the expensive side, at Pictures to Share we believe that people with dementia deserve the best. Our books are of a very high quality and are expensive to produce. By giving them the best, we aim to make the person with dementia feel that they are valued. We believe that this is important in a world where those with dementia are often patronized and stigmatized. Over 40% of respondents clearly understand our ethos and believe that the books are good value for money.