Let's Look Together

For anyone of any age who wonders what to say or what to do when visiting someone with significant memory loss, these pictures open possibilities for pure pleasure in the moment. --Lisa P. Gwyther, MSW, Education Director and co-author of The Alzheimer's Action Plan Bryan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Duke University Medical Center (01/01/2001) This book provides individuals living with dementia a failure-free, friendly, emotionally rich, and familiar way to open up and share using their remaining abilities. It is supportive communication at its best and provides the person with memory loss the opportunity to tell old stories, share momentary thoughts, reflect on what they are feeling, or absorb some new information that has value and meaning. Together with the data that Rae-Lynn Zeigler provides regarding the impact and effect of the book on people within an assisted living special care unit, this resource can be used to help guide others as they seek to connect and communicate with those experiencing memory loss. -- (01/01/2001) From both the perspective of a medical librarian and a person who has experienced a family member with Alzheimer's disease, I find Let's Look Together: An Interactive Picture Book for People with Alzheimer's and Other Forms of Memory Loss to be of potentially great value. The book is an especially appropriate tool to include in a medical library collection for the use of health practitioners treating or being trained to treat Alzheimer's and other individuals with memory loss. It is equally useful in a personal setting as a resource for family and friends to use informally to stimulate and engage those with memory loss. -- (01/01/2001) . . . a top pick for senior health collections. -- (01/01/2001) This book provides a wonderful vehicle for creating a meaningful connection with a loved one experiencing Alzheimer's or memory loss. It is a gift to both the caregiver and the family member, decreasing a sense of isolation and hopelessness, and replacing it with compassion, love and honoring of shared life experience. -- (01/01/2001) Persons with cognitive decline hunger for meaningful connections. Rae-Lynn Ziegler addresses this need with 'two gifts for the price of one' in her picture book that is a rich sensory feast as well as a recipe for side-by-side, emotionally present exchanges between 'best friends' over the shared feelings and emotions of the pictures. Magic moments are sure to follow from this rich interaction. -- (01/01/2001) As a member of the Board of Trustees of the Alzheimer's Association Cleveland Area Chapter and the daughter of someone who lived with Alzheimer's disease, I keenly appreciate how hard one must work to communicate with a loved one, particularly in the late stages of the disease. Let's Look Together fosters communication with individuals with Alzheimer's disease, encourages self-expression, and permits connections between caregivers and individuals with the disease. I know that caregivers will appreciate this structured approach to maintaining meaningful interactions. -- (01/01/2001)