Alzheimer’s Notes

Alzheimer’s Poetry Project in Arizona.

by Liz Lewis on September 11th, 2007

An NBC report on the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project (APP) by the NORAZ Poets group in Arizona. Using classical poems such as Longfellow’s The Arrow, the poetry readings are designed to stimulate brain activity. There are 19 facilities in Arizona participating in this project and the response has been positive.

NORAZ Poets see the Arizona Poetry Project as ‘…not the type of poetry reading that takes place from a podium. The APP is about making contact with people who have very little physical contact in their lives. We recite the poems directly to the patients, often holding their hands. It is not unusual for visitors to be moved emotionally, when witnessing an APP reading session. The people we serve are often in the late stages of Alzheimer’s and may have a hard time holding a conversation, or - in some cases - even speaking. When you see and hear them respond to the poems by saying words and lines along with the poet, it can be quite a breakthrough. When you hear them laugh at a funny poem or see their tears start to flow when they hear a poignant poem - the effectiveness of reading these old poems that the patients learned as children, is apparent. Often, a mother in late stage Alzheimer’s will not recognize family members. For a daughter to read poems to her mother and have that mother respond emotionally, this can offer the daughter a connection she needs and craves. These are all benefits of the program. In our preliminary assessments, we are finding a high level of response from the residents of the assisted living centers. ‘

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