[Publib] RA for memory loss/dimentia

[Carol Bean]

A volunteer recently asked about books we typically stock for literacy students that are fairly short and easy to read (graduated by degrees of difficulty), as a resource for her mother who is suffering from dimentia and gets frustrated trying to read regular novels.  My own mother is suffering from short term memory loss and probably wouldn't be able to remember earlier chapters as she reads through a longer novel.

Are there books, or a book resource, geared towards people with dimentia or memory loss, for pleasure reading?  I'm thinking relativly short (fiction or biographical) books that could be read in one (short?) sitting would be ideal. 

Do any other libraries have "special" collections (or designated books) they maintain of these types of materials, similar to a literacy student collection?  

Thanks for any hints or pointers. :-)

Carol Bean
Lantana Road Branch
Palm Beach County Library System
Lake Worth, FL
beanc at pbclibrary.org

Required disclaimer:  My opinions most likely are not in alignment with those of my employer.