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Original poster

A picture book for Xmas - for "FIL" who has dementia

29 replies

dumdumdumdumdum · 06/12/2020 23:01

MILs husband has dementia and literally only sits now. He can't concentrate to read and my MIL won't let him watch daytime tv ( poor man) I just wondered if anyone could recommend a book with just nice photographs or images that might be something for him to spark some conversation. He doesn't drink or have any hobbies now. They do like gardening, but he isn't able to help now, but enjoyed plants conservation stuff/ National trust work. The other gift I considers was a water bottle with the times on. As drinking enough water is an issue, but I haven't found one quite right yet. As he's not my DH's Dad and we haven't know him that long, I just need something general rather than a book of somewhere he's been as I have no idea on that.

OP posts:
Nannyamc · 06/12/2020 23:04

Old Ireland in colour..beautiful restored photos

StealthPolarBear · 06/12/2020 23:04

Hi op I know you asked about books, but near the end of my grandma's life I got her one of those lamaze baby blankets eith the different colours and textures, to give her something to hold and stroke and hopefully to interest her.
You may feel that would be demeaning x

KatyaZamolodchikova · 06/12/2020 23:05

What about a book of things from when he was a teenager/early 20’s?

We found some that seemed to be aimed at those with dementia when my grandma was ill, things like pictures of the fashions, the recording artists, cars, film stars, just a couple per page and a few sentences that meant we could start a chat about it and show her the pictures. Even when she struggled to join in it was obvious she really enjoyed hearing us talk about it and asking questions. With dementia long term memories are easier to access and so reminiscing about when they were younger is more likely to trigger that feel good factor!

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Dementia & alzheimer's
Embracelife · 06/12/2020 23:06

Seem to be some search
Books for dementia
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1796716383/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_7owZFb63ASWJC?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

FedUpAtHomeTroels · 06/12/2020 23:06

Someone gave some coffee table books to the Demtia home I work in, they were very popular.
One was pictures of days gone by, a big book hardback with old black and white pictures of streets with cars, kids playing parks etc, ordinary stuff.
Another was flowers, and others were The royal family, and Cars.
Whatever he used to like I'm sure they is a big hardback book with mostly pictures and small excerts about the pictures.
Have a look on Amazon for ideas.

FedUpAtHomeTroels · 06/12/2020 23:07

*Dementia

Koffeekake · 06/12/2020 23:08

Could you made your FIL a family album? You could maybe add short sentences about the people in the pictures and how they relate to him? I would be great if you had pictures of his uncles, aunty, grandparents etc who he will have long term memories of

Koffeekake · 06/12/2020 23:09

Make...

ineedaholidaynow · 06/12/2020 23:09

www.alzproducts.co.uk/1910s-1920s-1930s-1950s-1960s-1970s-scrapbook-robert-opie

I got something like this for my dad

maras2 · 07/12/2020 03:44

Is he interested in the history of his city?
Here we have not just our city's story books but also ones that can be coloured in.
Great for adults and younger people too.
You sound very kind. Have a lovely Christmas. Flowers

joanwinifred · 07/12/2020 03:54

@dumdumdumdumdum

MILs husband has dementia and literally only sits now. He can't concentrate to read and my MIL won't let him watch daytime tv ( poor man) I just wondered if anyone could recommend a book with just nice photographs or images that might be something for him to spark some conversation. He doesn't drink or have any hobbies now. They do like gardening, but he isn't able to help now, but enjoyed plants conservation stuff/ National trust work. The other gift I considers was a water bottle with the times on. As drinking enough water is an issue, but I haven't found one quite right yet. As he's not my DH's Dad and we haven't know him that long, I just need something general rather than a book of somewhere he's been as I have no idea on that.

Could you get a book with old pictures of the city he grew up in? It could spark conversation.
Also you could make a photo album if you have access to old photos of him and his family and friends?
I used to buy books of old pictures of the city my grandad grew up in and he'd tell me stories about his childhood and when he was a younger man, and photo albums always helped him to talk a little more and jog his memory.
I think it's a lovely thing you're doing for him.

Canyousewcushions · 07/12/2020 04:13

The Alzheimer's society has some games and activities in their online shop- adult jigsaw puzzles with very few pieces, snap etc.

The lamaze blanket idea is called a twiddle muff if you wanted to Google for more grown up options.

Crocklebog · 07/12/2020 05:44

I recently bought the Robert Opie decade scrapebooks for my DM. They are large and mainly pictures. Really well made and spark a lot of conversation. She has quite advanced dementia now.

missmeg3leg · 07/12/2020 06:57

Different memorabilia / reminisce packs from this company including a gardening one....

www.mempackcompany.com/product/the-garden-memorabilia-pack/

lesleyashfishlips · 07/12/2020 08:31

About the drinking, did you know about jelly drops? They were designed by someone who watched his grandparent with dementia struggle to drink enough. They're like a jelly type sweet but one which has a really high water content.

Original poster
dumdumdumdumdum · 07/12/2020 09:50

I don't have access to any photos and I've only met his kids a few times. I know he moved around with his job a lot. I like the look of the Robert Opie scrapbooks. What era for you all think I should buy, he's 75, so born in 1945 .. would 60's be better than 1950's ?

OP posts:
Original poster
dumdumdumdumdum · 07/12/2020 09:53

@lesleyashfishlips I'll send the link to my MIL and see if she thinks he'd like them.

OP posts:
Magissa · 07/12/2020 10:08

I know you are asking about books and I do have a list somewhere which I will post later however there is a lovely BBC service for music and news for people with dementia. I would often sit with my dad listening to it. Maybe dmil will allow this!

musicmemories.bbcrewind.co.uk/

Magissa · 07/12/2020 10:10

My favourite section is Memory radio from different decades. Also social music.

Haveacrackingday · 07/12/2020 10:17

I don't have any ideas but wanted to say how lovely you sound, that is such a thoughtful thing to do!! Xx

35andThriving · 07/12/2020 13:52

What about a bird table / bird feeders forbthe garden?

StealthPolarBear · 07/12/2020 19:19

Excellent idea and if needed you can ge the ones that stick to the window

Browniee · 07/12/2020 19:26

Someone has already mentioned this but what about a jigsaw puzzle? Or sudoko? My FIL with Alzheimer’s can’t concentrate on a book or TV (but was never a big reader anyway) but can sit and do both of those things for hours.

SpudsandGravy · 07/12/2020 21:14

Consider colouring books too. They've become very popular with adults, and my aunt came out of her respite rest home with one last week. Looks good!

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