Overview
In 'Keeping Busy', James Dowling describes a variety of activities designed to bring meaning and enjoyment to the lives of persons with dementia.Includes music/exercise/horticulture/humor/ pets/social events/incl. word games to help w/communication.
Editorials
Booknews
The principle of encouraging people suffering from dementia to engage in empowering and normalizing activity has long been established, and here is a set of suggestions for specific activities and how to implement them, drawn from experiences at the Alzheimer's Care Center in Gardiner, Maine. They include word games, music, art, cooking, gardening, pets, and spirituality. Paper edition (unseen), $12.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
While little can be done for the disease of dementia itself, much can be done to help direct the quality of life of the persons with the disease, and Keeping Busy succeeds in providing ideas for improving the quality of life for the Alzheimer patient.
Connections from the Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center
Provides detailed information about programming activities and developing an atmosphere that is responsive to patients with dementia. Topics include exercise, horticulture, communication, pets, humor, social events, and music. Each description include the rationale for the activity and some of the trial and error involved in developing the activity. Colorful anecdotes enliven the text and illustrate both successes and limitations.
OT Week
A practical, compassionate book that offers a variety of activities for people with dementia that can help improve their quality of life... The books closes with an appendix of 'good catalogs' that offer resources for caregivers of people with cognitive impairments or dementia.