The Planet Alzheimer’s Guide:

8 Ways the Arts Can Transform the Life of Your Loved One and Your Own

This how-to guide provides expert advice for care partners, family and friends about how to use arts engagement as a complementary/alternative way to connect and communicate with persons with Alzheimer's/dementia.

Designed as a step-by-step guide, this book will show you how to spark the creative spirit we all share, even in those with this disease. By letting go of traditional means of communication, you will discover unconventional ways to interact through imaginative yet dignified art experiences.

My work as a pioneer in this field can help you to find that place between you and your loved one where creativity emerges and extraordinary connections begin.

Included are inspiring ways to supplement daily routines and the tools to foster a better quality of life through the arts for you both. This guide illustrates how active engagement, socialization and relaxation is possible through the innate process of self-expression. Over forty color images capture persons with Alzheimer's/dementia creating art, their artwork, and engagement with care partners.

The Planet Alzheimer’s Guide is geared for personal as well as professional carer, family and friends, and with an intergenerational approach. Travel with me through these eight steps of arts engagement and journey into what art can do. As my mentor Mel Lee says, “Don’t miss out on the beauty of a spirit not gone.” You can do this. This guide will show you how.

From the Book

Images from the book of persons with Alzheimer’s engaging in art experiences: painting, singing, movement, storytelling, and sharing their creativity with carers, family, friends, and each other.

“This book is so compelling!”

-Dr. Susan Parish, Mercy University, President

“With the percentage of care partners of older adults at forty million and rising, this guide could not be timelier. Ms. Crescenzo lays out in terms easily understood by those with no artistic inclination, methods and tools that can enhance the quality of life of someone with dementia. Her non-judgmental methods have been shown to strengthen or re-establish the bond between the care partner, and a loved one suffering from cognitive impairment. I strongly recommend you explore the possibilities for arts engagement shown here, that will improve the quality of the caregiving experience for your loved one as well as for you.”

-Ed Friedman, Co-Founder/Executive Director, Lifetime Arts (Ret.)

“This book has given me such helpful tools to aid family members with Alzheimer’s disease.”

-I. Morgen

“Alzheimer's is not an easy thing to deal with. The author took a difficult and in some ways mysterious subject and found positive ways to address this disease and help care partners stay connected with loved ones."

-Suzan L.

This is a must-read for anyone who is caring for a loved one with dementia. Mary opens up a whole world of possible connections with our loved ones who have cognition issues by engaging them with art and music. Her style is easy to read, and the directions she provides are easy for anyone to follow. Our family is on round 2 of dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer's, and all the way through the book I kept thinking, "We've got to try this!" Thank you, THANK YOU Mary! Great book!

-L Stanley