Alzheimer’s Notes

Using Poetry to Reach Alzheimer’s Patients

by Mary Emma Allen on October 22nd, 2006

Organized by poet Gary Glazner, with a grant from Poets and Writers Magazine, the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project was begun in 1997.  He initiated poetry-related activities for a California adult day-care center.  Since then, Mr. Glazner has trained 10 poets to set up programs in other parts of the country.

Through this nationwide project, poets read and perform poetry the Alzheimer’s patients might have know in their childhood and young adulthood.  Amazingly, the patients often respond by associating the words with memories of long ago.  This must be similar to seeing my mother and others respond to music, especially the songs of their youth.

If you visit the Alzheimer’s Poetry web site, http://www.alzpoetry.com ,you’ll also learn about Sparking Memories, the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project Anthology containing seventy-five of the most remembered poems.

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