Book Reviews: Adorable Photographs of Our Baby (Susan Berg)-Take your Oxygen First (Leeza Gibbons)

Sharon Brothers MSW and others

Adorable Photographs of Our Baby
Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals

In light of recent research, activities should take on a whole new dimension in long-term care. Activities can no longer be thought of as leisure time fillers, but rather, as opportunities to provide mental stimulation. If done thoughtfully, activities can help those with Alzheimer s disease hold on to their remaining cognitive skills longer and enhance mood. In a word, activities should be therapeutic. Susan Berg s book is a treasure-trove of therapeutic activities that can bring joy and purpose to those with a cognitive impairment.
Paul Raia, Ph.D, Director of Patient Care and Family Support Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts Chapter --

Families often face the challenge of “what do I talk about” or “what can Mom do” during their visits. I think this book opens a window of opportunities for conversation and pleasant visits for our families and their loved ones.
Sandy Whelan, ADC,Director of Resident Programming,New Albany, IN

As an occupational therapist I appreciate how Susan Berg provides detailed directions on how to use these photographs to stimulate patients who are in different stages of memory loss. The simple and attractive photographs have universal appeal and the large, bold captions make the book easy to use by individuals in the early stages of dementia. Each photograph is accompanied by an idea page that suggests ways to use the photograph to stimulate the patient. This may be as simple as saying "The baby in the picture is being hugged" and then giving each resident a hug or the photograph may be used to initiate a discussion of how hugs make one feel.
This book provides a useful tool for professionals who work in the activities field. Family members or friends of memory impaired individuals may feel more comfortable interacting with a loved one when using this guide book filled with fun activities. Thank-you, Susan!
Barbara Smith, M.S., OTR/L author of Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer's Victim You Love and The Recycling Occupational Therapist

Take your Oxygen First
I have to admit I wasn't really sure what the title was about until Leeza explains at the beginning of Chapter 1, after a 30 page introduction to her family's story. She reminds us that, at the start of an airline flight, during the instructions on what to do in case of an emergency we're told to "put your oxygen on first, before the child you're traveling with." For Gibbons, this idea applies to caregiving, too:

"If you think about it for a moment, you realize that if you ignore your own need for oxygen, there is a good chance you may be unable to help your loved one, and if that happens, you may put both yourself and your loved one in danger of serious injury or worse...if you don't take care of yourself first, you'll be unable to care for your loved ones in their time of need."

I'm looking forward to reading more in this book. I'll share with you some of the highlights that I find. But for today, this is the message for family caregivers in a nutshell:

It's a tough journey, but rewarding for those who travel the caregiving path.

Your first task - everyday - is to take care of yourself so you can continue to take care of your loved one.
Sharon Brothers MSW
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