More than seven million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias, a number that is rapidly climbing as Baby Boomers age. There is a growing demand for meaningful activities to improve the quality of their lives. Evidence is emerging that many people living with dementia can still enjoy and benefit from reading and other interactive literacy activities, especially when these activities are conducted in a social setting. Tales & Travel programs have been successfully conducted in:
Tales & Travel is an innovative book and reading program that directly serves people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. Each Tales & Travel program takes participants on an imaginary trip to another country or region of the United States using library materials, including adult and children’s books, music, and objects. There are two versions of the program.
The original Tales & Travel Memories program is paper based. Participants take turns reading out loud from a folktale, legend or myth associated with the chosen location. They are also invited to read aloud from a list of interesting facts about the destination. Finally, they browse through carefully selected books which stimulate memories and spark conversations with the volunteers and staff conducting the program. Supplementary materials include music, artifacts from the destination, choral reading of poetry, coloring pages, word games and even food, which make the programs multi-sensory.
The Tales & Travel Adventures digital program was developed in response to the pandemic, when in-person meetings were limited. The digital Adventures take the place of the folk tales and facts of the original Memories program. The Adventures are written in the first person and present tense, in an effort to create a “you-are-there” immersive experience. Slides with large colorful photographs and a narrative filled with facts typed in a large font can be projected on a large screen. Participants take turns reading the slides out loud. Singing of folksongs from the destinations is facilitated by projecting the written lyrics on the screen. The program then provides time for browsing through books, as well as the other activities that make up the original program.
Click on the Tales & Travel Memories and Tales and Travel Adventures tabs above to get detailed information about these programs.
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