[Michlib-l] Outreach and Programming for Dementia Sufferers

[Brenda Dunseth]

There was a great article in the September/October Horn Book Magazine titled "Reading with my Mother" by Elizabeth Poe.  Elizabeth writes about reading picture books with her mother after her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  She describes how the books they read changed as her mother's world narrowed, the types of things that seemed to engage her mother and the special moments they were able to share because of these simple books. 

I know this speaks to one-on-one sharing but it might still be useful to you as you plan your program. 

Brenda Dunseth
Youth Services Department Head
Highland Township Public Library

----- Original Message -----
From: "Lois Sprengnether Keel" <LoiS-sez at lois-sez.com>
To: "Cindy Stanczak" <cstanczak at albionlibrary.org>
Cc: michlib-l at mail.mcls.org
Sent: Monday, September 9, 2013 6:05:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Outreach and Programming for Dementia Sufferers


On 9/9/2013 10:42 AM, Stanczak, Cindy wrote: 


We've been asked by a local adult care facility if we could come once each month to lead a craft or other program.  About 80% of their residents have Dementia.  There would be some supervision by staff, but I need program ideas that are appropriate.    





Do any of you lead programs in adult care facilities and/or for dementia sufferers? 


Cynthia Stanczak 
Adult & Teen Services Librarian 
Albion District Library 
501 S. Superior St. 
Albion, MI  49224 
(517) 629-3993 
Cindy, 
You seem to want to be able to do your own program.  My blog at <http://www.storytellingresearchlois.com/search/label/Alzheimer%27s> will give you both links and a brief summary of what I did this past summer.  I enjoyed the work immensely, but had to keep the particulars confidential when posting.  If you look at the resources and would like still more information and training, I'd be happy to work with you or anyone wanting to offer what I call Elder Stories.  

The personality of the leader may make a difference in how well such programs work.  Keep it fun and a social event, rather than therapeutic!  I would very much like to do more of this type of program which encourages communication in people with Dementia.  It uses what the participants see in developing stories, rather than memory.  It also tends to open the minds of their caregivers in what still is possible. 
LoiS(eeing the Baby Boom aging, this is an area of Outreach that will be growing) 
-- 
Lois Sprengnether Keel
Website: <http://www.LoiS-sez.com> , Blog: <http://www.StorytellingResearchLoiS.com> ,
and posting Detroit newspaper accounts of Michigan's "Fighting Fifth" Civil War Infantry
at the pace they appeared 150 years ago at <http://mich5thinfantry.net> * Storyteller in MI Arts and Humanities Directory <http://www.michiganhumanities.org/programs/touring/Storyteller/#/18> * In Historical Society of Michigan Directory <http://www.hsmichigan.org/resources/storytellers-speakers-musicians/storyteller-lois-sprengnether-keel/> * State Liaison for National Storytelling Network and Board Member of Youth, Educators, Storytellers Alliance (YES!)
* Webmaster for <http://www.MichiganStorytelling.org> 
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