It won’t make the New York Time’s Bestseller list, but a new book, self-published by Susan Berg, might just help spark conversations between dementia patients and their families or caregivers. An article called “Book Helps People Talk to Dementia Patients,” by The Salem News writer Amanda McGregor, told the story of a nurse’s idea to break down the dementia conversation barrier.
Berg’s picture book, “Adorable Photographs of Our Baby,” features photos of her two sons as babies: splashing in baths, sleeping, eating, singing, and doing other fun baby activities. In addition, it contains simple, large-print sentences and conversation starters for caregivers or families on the back of each page.
Berg’s idea came from her knowledge that families and caregivers often have a hard time starting discussions with dementia patients. They sometimes are at a loss of what to talk about, and sentences beginning with “Do you remember…” are common and frustrating for people who just don’t remember.
Berg’s book, which has been making its debut at the Hunt Nursing and Retirement Home, is a stress-free conversation starter, since most people appreciate babies, and looking at pictures of someone else’s means that you don’t have to worry about reasoning out or remembering who the babies are – you’ve never met them.
Dr. Paul Raia, one of the directors for Massachusetts’s Alzheimer’s Association chapter, agreed with Berg’s ideas behind her book. In The Salem News article, he was quoted as saying, “That’s the advantage of this particular exercise, is that it’s open-ended, and it doesn’t depend on the person remembering something.”
To find a copy of Susan Berg’s “Adorable Photographs of Our Baby,” go to her website at www.AlzheimersIdeas.com.
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