Round table reading is a montessori style activity that can be done w/residents of varying level of cognitive impairment.
According to Michelle S. Bourgeois, a professor of speech and hearing at Ohio State University and the author of "The Sunshine on my Face," "people who were literate maintain their ability to read until the end stages of dementia."
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/many-alzheimers-patients-find-comfort-in-books/?_r=0
Round table reading is the same as "buddy reading" in school. Everyone one is given the opportunity to read a page.
Of course, when you are working w/residents w/varying levels of cognition, physical abilities, and motivation, you respect them for where they are in that moment.
Often, activity professionals and other caregivers just do not understand how round table reading can ever be a successful activity.
This, as most other activity programs, is not something that you can simply place in front of people then walk away from. You may even have to stand and move around the table assisting as needed.
People are successful in different ways on different days. There may be an individual who can read every page. Someone else may only be able to read a word or two and need assistance. Another, may be able to turn the page w/the group. While another may need assistance w/turning pages and may simply enjoy looking at the pictures and listening to the story.
Not every story has to have pictures. The books presented were designed for mid to low level Alzheimer's.
You can purchase read along books too. The following are pictures of ones I made. They were time consuming but simple to make with the help of the internet. Basically, I just copied, pasted and printed.
The most challenging aspect of this activity is helping your workers to be into it. I've worked with only a few people who have "gotten it" and only a couple of them who had the knack to make this enjoyable and empowering for the residents. It's really helpful to celebrate the small things and be enthusiastic.
According to Michelle S. Bourgeois, a professor of speech and hearing at Ohio State University and the author of "The Sunshine on my Face," "people who were literate maintain their ability to read until the end stages of dementia."
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/many-alzheimers-patients-find-comfort-in-books/?_r=0
Round table reading is the same as "buddy reading" in school. Everyone one is given the opportunity to read a page.
Of course, when you are working w/residents w/varying levels of cognition, physical abilities, and motivation, you respect them for where they are in that moment.
Often, activity professionals and other caregivers just do not understand how round table reading can ever be a successful activity.
This, as most other activity programs, is not something that you can simply place in front of people then walk away from. You may even have to stand and move around the table assisting as needed.
People are successful in different ways on different days. There may be an individual who can read every page. Someone else may only be able to read a word or two and need assistance. Another, may be able to turn the page w/the group. While another may need assistance w/turning pages and may simply enjoy looking at the pictures and listening to the story.
Not every story has to have pictures. The books presented were designed for mid to low level Alzheimer's.
You can purchase read along books too. The following are pictures of ones I made. They were time consuming but simple to make with the help of the internet. Basically, I just copied, pasted and printed.
The most challenging aspect of this activity is helping your workers to be into it. I've worked with only a few people who have "gotten it" and only a couple of them who had the knack to make this enjoyable and empowering for the residents. It's really helpful to celebrate the small things and be enthusiastic.
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