As an Occupational Therapist working across Nursing and Residential homes I am always looking for resources that will help engage people with dementia in activities. The impact dementia can have on someone's communication and concentration often makes it difficult to engage these individuals in many activities, which can be very frustrating and upsetting for care workers, activity coordinators and relatives alike.
Pictures to Share offer beautifully packaged books on different topics, with a variety of full page black and white or colour photographs and paintings. Each picture is accompanied by a short piece of information about the picture, a quote, or an excerpt from a book, poem or song in large clear print. In my work I have seen them bring individuals, both with and without dementia, to life, not to mention staff!
We've run several groups using the books which have sparked off spontaneous reminiscence sessions. One particular time, using 'Beside the Seaside in Pictures' book saw residents sat together outside sharing experiences of past holidays and singing summer holiday songs together. On a one to one basis, individuals with more advance dementia have become captivated by the big pictures and bright colours.
They have also proved a fantastic resource to use with individuals who have presented confused and agitated. Looking at the pictures and having the information and quotes read to them have proved effective in distracting the person and calming them down.
Pictures to Share offer such a wide range of topics that there will always be a book to fit the interests and experiences of the individual. Not only have they proved invaluable in helping me build relationships with the residents I work with, but have also given staff and relatives a new way to spend meaningful time with the people they care for and love. My wish is to see this fantastic resource available in every care home.
Occupational Therapist - September 2010