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Baltimore, MD (May 6, 2010) — Author Lydia Burdick's best-selling Two-Lap Book Series was featured last week in the popular New York Times Blog, The New Old Age, a blog that offers helpful caregiving information and explores the dynamic relationship between baby boomers and their aging parents. Blog writer Milt Freudenheim, a medical reporter for the newspaper, discusses the benefits to a person with memory impairment of using a read-aloud picture book, such as Ms. Burdick's books The Sunshine on My Face, Happy New Year to You!, or Wishing On a Star.
As noted in the blog, "At the earlier stages of Alzheimer's disease, many literate patients may still enjoy reading books themselves," said Dr. Barry Reisberg, a professor of psychiatry and director of the Fisher Alzheimer's program at New York University. 'Large-type reading materials can be used to assist later-stage Alzheimer's patients to continue reading.'1
The Two-Lap Book series does just that. It offers a simple way to interact meaningfully with someone with Alzheimer's or other form of memory loss and keep them engaged. Each of the three large, hardcover books is designed to be opened across two laps, adding a sense of physical closeness to the activity of reading and reminiscing together. Bright, cheerful illustrations depict age-appropriate images of older adults enjoying life and are accompanied by simple, large-print text. Each page presents a stand-alone idea, so the individual with memory loss doesn't feel frustrated by not being able to follow a story line.
Sample Page from Wishing On a Star
"'I used to buy children's books with big pictures, big words, about animals for my mother, who has advanced dementia," said Jill Eikenberry, a New York-based actress. Now to be able to have a book with pictures and words with somebody her age sitting on a chair enjoying the sunset — it's a really inspired idea.'"1 To read the full blog post, please visit http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/many-alzheimers-patients-find-comfort-in-books/#more-2817.
For more information on the Two-Lap Book series or to purchase the books, please visit our website at www.healthpropress.com/twolapbooks.
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The Two-Lap Book series includes:
The Sunshine on My Face: A Read-Aloud Book for Memory-Challenged Adults
28 pages, 11 x 9½ hardback, 2005, $19.95, ISBN 978-1-932529-09-8
Happy New Year to You! A Read-Aloud Book for Memory-Challenged Adults
28 pages, 11 x 9½ hardback, 2006, $19.95, ISBN 978-1-932529-20-3
Wishing On a Star: A Read-Aloud Book for Memory-Challenged Adults
32 pages, 11 x 9½ hardback, 2009, $19.95, ISBN 978-1-932529-43-2
All books in this series are written by Lydia Burdick, illustrated by Jane Freeman, and published by Health Professions Press, Inc.
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Health
Professions Press, Inc. (Baltimore, Maryland) is a publisher of
high-quality educational resources for professionals in the fields
of aging, long-term care, and health services administration. Visit
www.healthpropress.com
to learn more about this independent company, its vision, mission,
and ever-growing list of publications.
[1] Freudenheim, M., Many Alzheimer’s Patients Find Comfort in Books. Retrieved April 30, 2010, from http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/many-alzheimers-patients-find-comfort-in-books.
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