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ElderCareRead Life Scenes 1

ElderCareRead Life Scenes 1 is a reading activity to improve cognitive ability in people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

ElderCareRead Life Scenes 1brings the gift of reading back to people who loved reading, but no longer can due to vision or confusion. The bookfacilitates communication and sparks conversation, and is a stimulating activity between a person with dementia and volunteers, staff or family members. The discussion questions on each page make the book an excellent group activity.

Providing hours of fun, activity and discussion, this innovative book is geared to help people with dementia, who are no longer able to read because they can't process the dense information in newspapers, books or magazines or because they have vision problems, to read again. A 2-page introduction, including how to use this book and helpful hints on reading with people with dementia, is provided.

Purchase for $16.99 US. Volume discounts available and purchase orders accepted.

Click here to purchase ElderCareRead Life Scenes 1

About ElderCareRead Life Scenes 1

Because each reader is unique, with their own special abilities, likes and dislikes, each page has three “access points” described below. These are ways that the reader can use the ElderCareRead Life Scenes book.

1. The Photo: Each page features a large colour photograph depicting a scene from every day life. Based upon the reader's abilities or eyesight, you can look at the photograph together and ask the reader to describe the scene.

2. The Story Text: The story text describes the scene in the photograph. The text is printed in a large readable font, with ample space between each line for added readability. The sentences are short. You can read the story text to the person with dementia; alternatively you can encourage the reader to pick out and read only the words printed in blue in the larger font or to read all the text. Our experience is that even people who no longer read will have success reading this book.

3. The Trigger Questions: The Trigger Questions are located in the shaded box at the bottom of each page, denoted by large question marks. After reading the story text and/or discussing the photograph, you can ask the Trigger Questions. These questions spark conversation and are are designed to accommodate various ability levels. For example, some questions require only “yes” or “no” answers. Some questions require factual answers, such as describing an item as “green.” Some questions require answers that are subjective, such as “cold,” while other questions would require the reader to consider the emotion portrayed by a person in the scene. For those who are able to remember their past (or make up a great story!), each Trigger Question box ends with a “tell me a memory” question meant to trigger a memory based on the scene in the photograph.


Click here to purchase ElderCareRead Life Scenes 1

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What's Being Said About ElderCareRead...

"I am a Speech Language Pathologist and needed some new material. I used the book today for the first time and I love it!!  The pictures are fantastic and it really helps to generate spontaneous language. I have patients with expressive aphasia and I find this book to be very helpful. I hope there will be more books to follow."
- Debbie Hugelmeyer 

Hear Laura being interviewed by Viki Kind on BlogTalkRadio. The topic is the importance of early diagnosis for memory issues. 

"Mom and I read your Life Scenes book this weekend and she loved it. She read it through and through, including the discussion questions on each page. She stumbled over a few words, but then began to just fill in another word in context. She read aloud to a group of her neighbors and then I passed the book around among them. One of the ladies who very rarely speaks, smiled and said, 'that's really nice.'
I deem it a success. Much thanks for giving us a way to pass an hour with quality."
- Kathy and Rue, Dallas, TX

"Laura, the staff LOVE your books! We ALL need to work together to change the way our seniors with dementia are currently being treated. Congratulations on all YOU do!"
- Judy Berry, Owner, Lakeview Ranch Inc., Specialized Dementia Care

ElderCareRead books are featured in an article by Patricia Grace, examiner.com's Senior Care Examiner. 4 ways to communicate with a person with dementia.

"I received your wonderful book yesterday. It is just what my husband needed!  He is supposed to read out loud daily, but it has been frustrating for him to do so due to the vision problems created by his Parkinson's. He was able to pick up your book and read it without any problems. It was great to see him enjoy your book. This will give him many hours of pleasure."
-  Pat DeVolder, Caregiver

"I volunteer to spend time with residents in a memory care unit. It is great to have the book, Elder Care Life Scenes 1.  I was surprised when the person I was visiting did such a great job reading.  We then talked about the questions under the picture. It led to a conversation that flowed very well."
- Ben Solomon, Volunteer

"Laura, I ordered your book and it is fabulous! I work in a retirement facility and we have assisted living residents that I wanted to find some additional activities to do with them. Your book has really helped and they seem to enjoy it. Your book was the only one I could find that was just what I needed.  I encourage you to continue doing the great job you have done. Thanks again."
- Tammy Grayson

"ElderCareRead is the only book my grandmother has picked up and read in a year! And the most invaluable tip [in the Hints section] as the caretaker of a loved one with dementia was, 'let go of your reality... and step into theirs.' Thank you for my new mantra."
- Lisa Cerasoli, Actor/Author

 “As a person with dementia caused
by a form of Parkinson's, I am so intrigued by the book Life Scenes 1. My vision is nearly shot, but with the help of a bright light, I'm able to see the beautiful photos and read some of the words. It was great to sit with my wife and a friend and talk about the stories and share some memories. Instructions are clear on how to use the book to unlock conversation, memories, and feelings of self-esteem. I eagerly await the next book!”
– Vincent Collin Beach, author of Don't Throw Away Your Stick Till You Cross the River 

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