NO matter what our age, there’s a tiny child within us yearning to enjoy once again simple pleasures and fun games.

The Best Friends Book of Alzheim­er’s Activities, Volume One and Volume Two, can help release that inner child in everyone. The books help bring out the best in each person with dementia with easy-to-implement “best friends” activities. From making greeting cards to preparing an evening meal together, it’s all designed to help people feel good. The book can be used to transform activity programs at aged care facilities, adult day centres, assisted living facilities, or in private homes.

The Best Friends Book of Alzheim­er’s Activities Volume One and Volume Two, available through Footprint Books or at selected bookshops for $49.95 each, 1300-260-090, www.footprint.com.au

AT first glance, Let’s Look Together is a book of glossy photographs, mostly of babies and children. On closer inspection it is an engaging catalyst for conversation and connection. Let’s Look Together: An Interactive Picture Book for People with Alzheim­er’s and Other Forms of Memory Loss, is by occupational therapist Rae-Lynn Cebul Ziegler. The book can be used as a tool to “wake up” someone’s brain.

The evocative images of children are to be shared between a carer (family or professional) and a person with memory loss. Colour photographs show an array of rec­og­nisable emotions and activities, which encourage connections and conversations. The author includes advice to guide users on how to prompt the person with Alzheimer’s as they view the pictures.

Let’s Look Together, by Rae-Lynn Cebul Ziegler, available through Footprint Books and at selected book-shops, $41.95. Phone 1300-260-090, www.footprint.com.au