UK Dementia Book Club

This book has been written specifically for people living with dementia who find reading normal print difficult. This book reminds the reader of favourite British meals from around the UK, from Scottish shortbread or Roast Beef to Bakewell tarts.

This book has been written specifically for people living with dementia who find reading normal print difficult.. This book reminds readers of the English tradition of fêtes and shows, including some of the most popular activities such as hoopla and the tombola.

This book has been written specifically for people living with dementia who find reading normal print difficult. This book explores the history of the Olympic games from ancient to modern. The book reminds the reader of highlights of both the Olympic and paralympic games.

This book has been written specifically for people living with dementia who find reading normal print difficult. This book tells the story of the pop star Elvis Presley and remembers his songs and films.

This book has been written specifically for people living with dementia who find reading normal print difficult. The book reminds readers of the traditional trip to the British seaside, including mentions for many of the most popular resorts such as Blackpool, Brighton, Great Yarmouth and Llandudlo.

This book reminds readers of a popular crime writer and remembers her most famous detectives and the film, theatre and television adaptations of her novels.

This book reminds readers of the long and eventful reign of Queen Elizabeth II, including her childhood, coronation, Jubilee celebrations and her funeral.

This book has been written specifically for people living with dementia who find reading normal print difficult. The book describes how the tradition of celebrating Valentine’s Day developed  and how chocolates, roses and cards became popular.

This book has been written specifically for people living with dementia who find reading normal print difficult. This book reminds readers of going to the pictures including queueing, choosing between the stalls of the circle and the pleasures of watching popular films and film stars.

The book reminds the reader of the history of drinking tea in Britain and remembers the development of our favourite biscuits to accompany a cup of tea.

The book reminds the reader of the history of popular children’s sweets, remembering the delights of going to the shop to buy pocket money sweets.

This book reminds readers of the history of shops and the shopping experience. From markets and corner shops to large department stores.

This book reminds the reader of the traditional celebrations of a British autumn such as Harvest Festival, Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night

This book reminds the readers of how the Scouts, Guides and Boys Brigade began and the adventures children had in the uniformed organisations.

The book reminds the reader of the custom of decorating homes and streets for Christmas, remembering Christmas trees, lights, garlands, stockings, cards and the visit of Father Christmas.

The book reminds the reader of the annual mass football game which takes place in Ashbourne, Derbyshire on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, remembering its long history and its ‘anything goes’ excitement.

The book reminds the reader of the history of the royal residences used by our Queen, remembering Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle.

The book reminds the reader of the development of stately homes in Britain, remembering the people who lived and worked in the houses and focusing on Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

The book reminds the reader of the history of holidays through the ages, from the Crusades to package holidays of the 1970’s, remembering holiday camps, and TV programmes such Wish you were her with Cliffe Michelmore.

This book reminds readers of the space race when Russia and America competed to be the first to send a man into space and then on to the Moon.

The book reminds the reader of the development of the sports in which they may have participated at school, remembering football, cricket, hockey, netball and rounders.

The book reminds the reader of National Service, remembering the varied experiences of the men who were conscripted between the Second World War and 1963.

The book reminds the reader of the development of the industrial revolution and its impact on rural and town life in the Derwent Valley, and how the innovations changed the world for ever.

The book reminds the reader of the life of Charles Dickens, remembering his most popular books such as ‘Great Expectations’, ‘David Copperfield’ and  ‘A Christmas Carol’.

The book reminds the reader of the joys of home preserving and brewing, using fruit and vegetables from the countryside and the vegetable patch.

This book reminds the reader about the history of advertising and how magazine, radio and television adverts such as “Pick up a Penguin”, “the Milky Bar Kid” and “Go to work on an Egg” became part of household language.

This book explores the history of Di it Yourself, and reminds the reader of how B&Q started, and the joys and disasters of home improvement!

This book reminds the reader about how pubs became places in which to drink alcohol, socialise with friends and family, catch up with gossip and play games.

This book reminds readers of the routines and traditions of baby care in the mid-twentieth century and remembers the Welfare Clinic, large prams, terry towelling nappies and Farley’s rusks.

This book reminds readers of the traditional festivals held around Britain in the summer, such as Wimbledon, The Proms, Glastonbury as well as local events such as well dressing, village fetes, county shows and carnivals

The book reminds the reader of the pleasures of sharing games with friends in the playground, remembering such games as hopscotch, skipping, marbles, ‘It’ and conkers.

The book reminds the readers of the history of TV and radio and some favourite programmes such Hancock’s half hour, Sunday night at the London Palladium and Dads Army.

How to carry out a Reading Screen.

It may be helpful to establish if a person is able to read by carrying out a reading screen.

As the ability to read, is embedded in procedural memory, it is likely that, if they
could read before they developed dementia, they will still have the ability. It may, however, be a little “rusty”.

You will be surprised how many people can still read, if given the correct type of
book and given the opportunity.

Watch this short video to learn how to do a reading screen with person who is living with dementia.

The reading screen will help identify the size of font the person may need for signs as well as for reading books.

Remember:

• Ask them to help you.
• Ask them to read and do what it says- to learn if they can read and understand the instruction.
• Don’t talk while they are doing it… it may distract them.
• They cannot fail – how  ever far they get and whether it is wright or wrong, .. Thank them for their help.
• You may want to repeat the screen at different times to establish if this helps them.
• Only repeat it 2 times more.