A dementia-friendly selection of verses from classic Australian poems, bush ballads and folk songs

Sometimes it’s hard to maintain conversation with a loved one, as so much of our chit-chat relies on short-term memory. “How has your week been? Did you go to the concert? Did you get outside yesterday?” These are normal, friendly questions, but are challenging for anyone living with memory loss or confusion.

The solution for those who have been poetry-lovers: excerpts from classic poems by great poets, or familiar much-loved verses, with evocative scenic photographs, to encourage shared reading, discussion and connection.

The vibrant photographs are likely to spark reminiscence for anyone with an Aussie connection. Plus for those who grew up in Australia, many of these verses will be familiar from school-days. Think Nine Miles from Gundegai, My Country, Clancy of the Overflow, Bell Birds, Ten Thousand Miles Away. (However, please note that if you’re looking for Australian First Nations poetry, you will need to search for a more modern collection.)

40 pages, extra large font, in a bright, slim, light 8 × 10 paperback, for a ‘just enough’ reading experience.
There is no reference to dementia or other illness inside the book or on the cover. The back cover says simply: A selection of classic Australian poetry, bush ballads and folk songs. Keep your mind active as you read aloud or read along.

You can find  Illustrated Australian Poetry on Amazon by clicking on this universal link: https://mybook.to/AustPoetry – or why not try your local library? (Tell them it’s ISBN number: 9781922191496.)