Book Review: “Fun Foods: Images For Reflection & Reminiscence”

Review by Mr. Jason Young, MS

(Editor’s Note: Jason reviewed “Fun Foods,” part of series created by Dan Koffman called “Simple Pleasures for Special Seniors.” The picture book series is designed to be an activity for persons with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.)

I believe the use of this book can be an excellent way for any caregiver to connect with a senior who has difficulty doing so through words. The common images, photographed and duplicated in such a high-quality manner, make for an excellent tool that has the capability of being used professionally in mental health treatment for those with cognitive deficits, as well as between a family member and their loved one.

A point of consideration for the author/those marketing this line of books is specialization of content to geographic location/cultural specificity. While content would remain simple, the connection the images would create could be stronger as pictures could be specified to commonalities among them and their peers. The result is a  product that is strengthened in its original intent, as well as being more marketable within specific geographic regions. I will provide an example from my personal experience as a geriatric clinician providing therapy to persons diagnosed with psychiatric disorders.

The seniors I provide treatment to are located in North Alabama.   Most people I treat are lifetime farmers or came from farming families. In doing individual and group therapy I would often use such books as this to facilitate reminiscence. Common foods that were familiar to them were molasses, biscuits, collard greens, pinto beans, etc. These “southern” foods would make for a sub genre of the same type of book as “Fun Foods.” I anticipate that such individualized books, if marketed to outpatient clinics and other senior services, would be highly marketable. Materials such as these usually have to be crafted by the staff themselves because of being difficult to find.

Also, materials used in making the book may prove more marketable if pages were made of a more rugged material. Children’s books, for example, are often made with a more cardboard like material with a slick surface in case the child attempts to chew or tear the pages. Creating them in this fashion for seniors would allow them to be reused over and over and less likely to rip and tear with reuse. These types of materials get used over and over with staff such as clinicians and technicians in the mental health field.

These pictures are certainly big enough to be enjoyed by someone even with poor eyesight. Though, as a marketer, my mind contemplates a versatility issue. If the book were oversized (like say 2-3 times its current size) it could be used as a visual prop to be used in groups, as well as still being able to be used with individuals.

I love seeing Dan creating such books that serve such a wonderful purpose. They not only serve as a way to give joy to the one receiving care, but to the caregiver. Making tools that help the caregiver is something I have great appreciation for.

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Do you have any questions for Jason about this book? Great—just post a comment and Jason will respond.

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• Research finds photos more useful than words (scienceblog.com)