Every time we look at a photo or taste a certain food or something assails our sense of smell like a perfume or particular food we are transported to a memory of something in our lives. Often these memories are especially meaningful when we have lost loved ones. So imagine the darkness that descends as Alzheimer's takes over the mind.
'Family Life in Pictures' is a book that addresses these darker moments. It is a collection of photos from every walks of life. It spans different generations and periods in the last hundred years, I can only imagine the sadness and joy reading this will bring to someone sharing the photos with a parent or friend who has Alzheimer's. It touches so many emotions.
For me it reflected so much of my life and parent's life. It is amazing to me how completely different periods of history and even culture hold so many similar memories for me.
It is impossible to gage the effect on someone suffering with Alzheimer's and I can only speak from my own personal experience of the illness in relation to my mother. Sadly, she is no longer with me but I am convinced she would have derived great pleasure from looking at the photos in this book.
There is a stage of the illness where it really does not matter who is in the photos or who they are actually related to because it is the emotions they evoke that matter.
There are some wonderful quotes and the odd verse to inspire the reader. In my experience keeping some kind of interaction going for as long as possible is beneficial to all concerned. Ultimately what is important when caring for Alzheimer's sufferers is love and creating a sense of comfort and well being.
This book goes a long way to promotion that feeling of care and brings real joy to the reader. I completely recommend it to young and old alike.
Lynda Bellingham - December 2010