 |
The Charles
Press, Publishers |
|
A Loving Voice: A
Caregiver’s Book of Read-Aloud Stories for the Elderly |
|
| Edited by Carolyn Banks and Janis Rizzo |
|
|
The Charles
Press, Publishers |
|
A Loving Voice: A
Caregiver’s Book of Read-Aloud Stories for the Elderly |
|
| Edited by Carolyn Banks and Janis Rizzo |
ABOUT THE BOOKThe first of two very popular and unique anthologies of short stories that were written specifically be read out-loud to older adults, this book offers an imaginative and creative way for professionals, family members and friends to reach out to, communicate with, and entertain the older people in their lives and in their care, particularly those who are bed-ridden, confined to a nursing home or hospital and those with dementia.
In a moment of inspiration that has been much-welcomed by caregivers the world over, the idea for A Loving Voice came to it's editors, Carolyn Banks and Janis Rizzo, when they recognized the desperate need for, and the serious lack of, reading material for this large and ever-growing segment of the population. In response, they invited writers to submit stories and poems for their anthology. The 52 never-before-published selections they chose (one for each week of the year), are those that they and the eldercare experts they consulted felt would be most meaningful, helpful and entertaining for an elderly audience: stories that evoke nostalgic memories and warm feelings of the past, interesting stories that stimulate conversation, provide a bridge between the past and present and a bond between reader and listener.
All of the selections can be read in one sitting (no longer than 10 minutes), are clear with easy-to-follow plots and simple dialogue that lends itself to reading aloud. Moreover, as Banks and Rizzo discovered, reading aloud is an intimate, warm and friendly activity that encourages physical closeness, something that is sorely needed as we age. As Carolyn Banks reports in preface to the book, "The pieces we have chosen are not insultingly simple. Even those who are able to read these selections on their own will find them engaging and entertaining. These are stories and poems with purpose, stories and poems with heart, stories and poems we are proud to present. Each we hope will help you find your own loving voice."
Includes short stories and poems written by an impressive array of American authors including Louise Erdrich, Shelby Hearon, Carolyn Osborn and Paul Estaver. This book, and it's accompanying second volume, A Loving Voice II: A Caregiver's Book of More Read-Aloud Stories for the Elderly, has received critical acclaim from both professional and non-professional caregivers and has been enthusiastically reviewed in scores of papers, magazines and journals for its unique and inventive method of communicating with, and bringing some moments of pleasure to, the older adult.REVIEWS
A tender loving voice reaching out to the disabled, the bedridden elderly, the Alzheimer’s patient.” — Senior BeaconAnyone who has spent time caring for the bed-ridden knows that boredom and melancholia are among the side-effects of illness, especially in old age. Sometimes not much alleviates real despair, but one of the best all-round helps is reading aloud. This anthology—of mostly original stories, anecdotes, memories and poems—is geared to pieces that “Evoke nostalgic, happy memories and warm feelings of the past.” Among the contributors are notable authors like Louise Erdrich and Shelby Hearon but many of the best pieces are by unfamiliar writers who deserve to be better known. —Washington Post
From USA Today:
Inevitably, the best ideas are often the simplest. And the most obvious. Every weekend, millions of well-meaning people head out to nursing homes and hospices to visit elderly or ill relatives and friends. And they sit there in awkward, guilt-filled silence. Carolyn Banks and Janis Rizzo have come up with a solution....CONTINUE reading this feature story from USA Today
From The Miami Herald
In her work with the elderly, in her visits with her dying mother-in-law, Carolyn Banks dreaded the inevitable silence. Those aching, empty moments between two people—one busy with the hope and promise of a future; the other bored and lonely, sometimes angry and in pain, facing the end.
Banks groped for a way to comfort her husband’s mother and show compassion to the old people at the adult day-care center where she worked part time. And she watched others struggle to communicate, to share quality time, with their aging, ailing parents and grandparents.
Then Banks hit on an idea—to read aloud to the elderly, the way she had been read to as a youngster...CONTINUE reading this feature story in the Miami Herald
Make sure to look for the second anthology, A Loving Voice II: A Caregiver's Book of More Read-Aloud Stories for the Elderly
292 pages Paper Edition Only ISBN: 0-914783-59-9 List Price: $24.95
