Connecting in the Land of Dementia ― Creative Activities to Explore Together

Finding the creativity in the journey through dementia is a challenge millions of people face: One in three Americans knows someone with the disease. This practical book offers caregivers hands-on ideas for meaningful, creative activities they can do with their patients, family members, or friends who have dementia.

Deborah Shouse is a writer, speaker, editor, creativity catalyst, and dementia advocate. She has an MBA but uses it only in emergencies. Her writing has appeared in a variety of publications including The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Natural Awakenings, Reader’s Digest, Newsweek, Woman’s Day, Spirituality & Health, The Chicago Tribune and Unity Magazine. Deborah has been featured in many anthologies, including more than four-dozen Chicken Soup books. She has written a number of business books, including Breaking the Ice, Nametags Plus, Communicating with Difficult People, and Marketing Yourself at Work. For years Deborah wrote a love story column for the Kansas City Star.

Deborah initially self-published her book, Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver’s Journey. Using the book as a catalyst, Deborah and her partner Ron raised more than $80,000 for dementia programs. Central Recovery Press has published an updated version of this book.

Deborah and Ron have orchestrated workshops and performed her dramatized stories for Alzheimer’s Associations and care partners groups in the United States, New Zealand, Nova Scotia, Puerto Rico, England, Ireland, Chile, Costa Rica, Italy, Turkey, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They have worked with spiritual groups, hospice, healthcare professionals, activity directors, long-term care centers, social workers, and book clubs. Through sharing their message of finding creativity and hope in the dementia journey, they have connected with care partners around the world.