What a delightful find! Leah, your poetry is just what I've been looking for, and your thoughts on how if could help people with a dementia are inspiring. Next week to celebrate World Poetry day our cafe for people with memory problems will be having a poetry afternoon. I'd love to use some of your words, if you wouldn't mind.
Hi Leah,
I loved reading this post and found it really encouraging. My name is Katie and I work for The Reader Organisation, a charity based in the U.K. which delivers read aloud reading groups. Our project Get Into Reading works in care homes with people with dementia. I have been running one of these groups for the last four years and am constantly amazed at the way poetry can spark memories and also conversations about how people are feeling right now. There is definitely something very powerful in rhyme and rhythm. You can read a bit about one of my groups here...
http://thereaderonline.co.uk/2010/07/06/igniting-the-spark/
At the end of September we are having a book published, A Little, Aloud: An anthology of poetry and prose for reading aloud to someone you care for. You can find it on amazon. I hope it will be a really useful resource for people to enjoy reading to their loved ones and for staff to use in care home settings.
Thanks again for your inspiring post. I will keep reading!
Katie
Hi.
You will probably find this project I am doing with the residents of our nursing home interesting. Keep up your good work.
The Poppy Project: http://briantomlinsonphotography.blogspot.com/
Brian.
I visited your site and am so very impressed by your photography and the poetry. I would suggest that you try to get more shots like the first one, showing activity of some sort (I know he is just sitting there, but it does give one more insight than the pictures showing just the face). I like the fact that you are trying to show the real person. We are so much more than many people see...Thank you for your work!!!
I just want to say thanks for this great and encouraging blog.
Poems could indeed be a bridge to a person with dementia. Of course there needn´t to be always absolutely profound ones; I think it is also just nice to have funny poems (maybe about animals,...) - and what could be better than having a common laugh?!
All the best!
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Hi Leah - thanks for going out on a limb for all of us - it is always so rewarding; for me anyway!
Thanks for sharing your poetry - it is great. And you are right, reading poetry, or anything else for me (if it's good) takes me out of this world and into that of the author. I think we all need this kind of relief now and again from the busy, hectic world (especialy here in NOVA!
).
Please share your stories, poems, songs, etc with us - that is why we are here!
All the best, sue (moderator)
PS - here are a few links covering ascpects of dementia (not just Alzheimer's).
Most Early-Onset Dementia Not Alzheimer's
Groups Issue New Dementia Drug Guidelines
Antibiotic Use in Dementia Patients Questioned