Literary Alzheimer’s: A qualitative feasibility study of dementia-friendly book groups

Despite the estimated 47 million people living with dementia and despite reading being our mostpopular cultural activity, there is lack of research around how people with dementia experiencereading and what tools can be used to help them to enjoy a good read. Current IFLA Guidelines forLibrary Services to Persons with Dementia are unhelpful, as they encourage the stigmatisation andinfantalisation of the adult with dementia. There have been few strategic efforts by New Zealandlibraries to engage those living with dementia to continue reading. Nelson and Canterbury librariesare some exceptions, providing ‘dementia-friendly’ book groups.This report summarises the findings of a qualitative study, which asks how people living withdementia experience reading literary fiction and how such activity is best facilitated for creativityand enjoyment. The findings of the study refute Ribot’s ‘regression hypothesis’ of dementia. Whatwas striking in both focus groups was the preserved command and appreciation of language, andthe stimulation of sharing the “wonderful words” of the featured author Charles Dickens. To supportmemory deficits, while preserving the stimulation of the original language, the following modificationswere found to be helpful: providing a cast of characters, reducing the amount of text, andregularly repeating referents.