New book helps those with dementia

New book helps those with dementia

by Myrna Fearer DANVERS HERALD

Thursday, January 18, 2007 - Updated: 05:00 PM EST



Susan Berg loved taking pictures of her two sons when they were babies. Now, the activity director at Hunt Nursing and Retirement Home on Lindall Street has found a way to turn some of those pictures into a learning tool for people with dementia.

“Adorable Photographs of Our Baby: Meaningful, Mind-stimulating activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones, and Involved Professionals,” is a book that is designed to stimulate interactive conversation between those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and caregivers, therapists and anyone else who has the patience to work with this population.

“I’ve used photographs before; they love babies,” said Berg, who has cut out pictures from magazines and other sources for picture books she’s made for the dementia residents at the nursing home. “Even these people with dementia are hard-wired for emotions. They love babies and kids. Put them in a room and they react.”

Berg’s book, however, isn’t a book of just 14 colorful pictures of cute babies. Each picture was chosen for a purpose. Each one is accompanied by suggestions for its use, just like a manual for classroom teachers. Berg has included ideas for getting the folks involved in the activity pictured and also encouraging those with dementia to come up with their own reasons and comments. She stresses there are no right or wrong answers. Berg has shared ideas she has employed successfully in her own work.

“It took me about two years to do this,” said Berg, who went through thousands of baby photos before she arrived at the 14 she chose. “I tried to pick pictures highlighting the primary colors, pictures that are colorful and large.

“I also thought about a day, going through daily activities, pictures that stimulate conversation and thinking. It’s important that you keep them mentally active so their cognitive decline is lessened.”

Berg, a native of Wisconsin, earned her bachelor’s degree in medical technology from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. Marriage to Stanley Berg, a mortgage loan officer, brought the couple to this area. They’ve made their home in Danvers for 34 years, where they’ve raised two sons: Joe, 27, works in a law firm, and Alex, 25, is graduating from George Washington University Law School.

Berg spent many years volunteering at the Great Oak School when her sons were young. She also taught after-school classes. When the family moved into a house with a pool, Berg took swimming lessons at the Danvers YMCA, earned her lifeguard certification — one of the oldest in the class — and for a time, was a lifeguard at Bally Fitness.

“I had worked in a lab for 12 years and I knew I didn’t want to be in a lab,” said Berg, who also was a computer instructor. “I decided to look into the COTA (certified occupational therapy assistant program) at North Shore Community College. It was a long wait to get in; it’s a very popular program.”

Berg finally gained admission to the two-year program, adding an associate’s degree to the bachelor’s degree she already held. Her first job, in 2000, was at Peabody Glen, which has a certified dementia unit. When there was an opening at Hunt Nursing and Retirement Home in 2001, Berg accepted it and has been there 5 1/2 years.

“I really take this job very seriously,” Berg said. “I also do a lot of work at home.”

Through the years, Berg has become expert on working with people with dementia and willingly shares her knowledge. She says keeping them mentally active is a must, keeping them from undergoing a catastrophic event is important. It’s also important to remember that everybody has something good about them and always build on their strengths.

“They have no reality orientation,” she explained. “If they think it’s 1960 and they’re 35, that’s fine. This is a happy place. We don’t talk about bad news. It does absolutely nothing for the person and they end up feeling bad but they don’t know why. Emotions are the last thing to go.”

Ever attuned to current resources for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, Berg realized there was still something missing, a book like hers. Berg has taken her knowledge and all the expertise she has amassed through the years and self-published, “Adorable Photographs of Our Baby.” She also has published large flash cards to accompany the book as another teaching tool.

Books, at $15.95each, are available at the Hunt Nursing & Retirement Home, through the author, Sea Bay Game Co. and Amazon.com. Flashcards are $12.95. A portion of the proceeds from the sales will go to the Alzheimer’s Association.