Since Matt Singleton’s dad Brian was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease seven years ago, conversations between father and son have become more precious than ever before. But as those living with dementia and their loved ones know, sitting down for a chat isn’t always easy.
“It can be hard to make conversation,” says Matt, 49 from Croxley Green in Hertfordshire. “I can tell dad what the grandchildren have been doing, but you can’t ask most people with dementia, ‘What have you been up to?’”
Realising that longer-term memories could still spark conversations, Matt hit on a solution. He began writing books designed to tap into long-term memories that could springboard reminiscences and chat.
His latest, Looking Back At Coronation Street, is made in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Society and ITV and brings to life classic moments of the soap’s storylines which ran between the first episode in 1960 and Christmas 1990.
Recalling memories of the antics of evocative characters like Ena Sharples, Annie Walker, Bet Lynch, Hilda and Stan Ogden and Vera and Jack Duckworth, the book uses illustrations, quizzes and rhymes crafted especially for people with dementia. “Corrie has been such a big part of the national conversation over the years,” says Matt. “I still remember watching the Ken, Mike and Deirdre affair with my parents when I was little. Hearing the Corrie theme tune will bring magic to some people.”
Matt, who works in life and health for an insurance company, studied gerontology (the biological, psychological and social science of ageing) and was researching dementia for his employer when his father Brian, now 84, began showing symptoms.
“It was clear to me, even though I was probably in denial, that it had most likely gone beyond the mild cognitive impairment which is normal when you get older.”
In Matt’s happy childhood memories of holidays, Brian – who was diagnosed in 2017 but had been showing symptoms for some time – always had his nose in a book. So when Brian’s wife Colleen told Matt his father was no longer able to follow the fiction and biographies Matt always bought him for birthdays and Christmas, he experienced a real feeling of loss and felt there had to be a way to help.
“Dad’s inability to read the books he’d always enjoyed was certainly one of those gut-punch moments,” says Matt. “You do have a word with yourself and get over it – we try to focus on the things that are still there – but when these things happen, they can stop you in your tracks,” says Matt, whose goal is to bring back the joy of reading as well as improving communication for people with dementia. “Working on the books helped me to forget all the other noise in my head and do this for him.”
After putting together his first books, Matt contacted Gill Livingston, Professor of Psychiatry of Older People at University College London, who he describes as “my dementia research hero”. She advised Matt to take his book to the Alzheimer’s Society Accelerator Programme. With the Society’s backing, Matt was able to conduct research that found 62% of respondents had stopped reading completely or read less since their diagnosis. The books use scientific research to be as engaging, stimulating and accessible as possible.
“Every dementia patient is different. The books are written in rhyme with simplified summaries on the left hand page. Some people with dementia can only see the white space between the words, something that also happens with dyslexia – so we consulted a dyslexia expert and added a yellow hue on the page, which helps.”
And what started as a gift from son to father is now a fully-fledged publishing company, Cognitive Books, with the “Looking Back At” series also covering The Beatles and the 1966 World Cup, both subjects close to Brian’s heart that have provided joyful reminisces with Matt about team line-ups and matches attended. “The illustrations, which in The Beatles book and Corrie books are by Simon Reid, act as visual prompts helping bring the text to life,” says Matt.
Audio is also proving to be key, with The Beatles book audio narrated by actor Bill Nighy and the World Cup book by sports commentator Clive Tyldsley. “Music and audio are so important for people with dementia,” says Matt. “I’ve been at a singing event with my dad where people go from expressionless to smiling.”
Matt says the books also work particularly well in a group environment in care homes and dementia cafes, encouraging sociability. Currently the books focus on the interests of those over 70 who have mild to moderate dementia, with plans to expand. As for Brian, he is delighted to discover – and rediscover – that his son is a published author. “Every time Dad opens a book, he realises I wrote it.
“What Alzheimer’s has taken away from him is brutal, but seeing that reaction is wonderful. While research continues into drugs to slow decline, there are people living with dementia who need support and quality of life. I’m a big believer that innovation can bring that.”
■ Looking Back At Coronation Street is available from the Alzheimer’s Society shop, with 5% of proceeds going to the charity. Visit cognitivebooks.co.uk to find out more
