Q Marie-Pier, to start, can you tell us the story behind Chachacha Editions?
R Initially, I was really looking for products for my mother. That’s where it all began. My mother didn’t know what to do. She didn’t like watching TV. She could no longer read a novel a week, which she used to do. She couldn’t do her crossword puzzles anymore. She was just going around in circles at home.
Yes, one can go for walks, but I started looking for products for her: crossword puzzles and easier novels, but I only found things for children — which is not really recommended for people with Alzheimer’s.
That’s when I thought, “with all the people with Alzheimer’s in Quebec, how come we can’t find anything on the market?” I started researching the topic, contacting researchers from the Montreal Geriatric Institute. They all told me they had nothing… but that they would really love for someone to develop something. […]
That’s when I launched my first activity books, Antirides pour les neurones [published by Ms. Vaudry’s first publishing house, Les éditions Melba, which is now sold to the Quebec group Eugéria].
Q At Chachacha Editions, you have published two novels, Huguette visits Expo 67 and Arthur and his Cars. How are they adapted for people with neurocognitive disorders?
R I surrounded myself with professionals. […] With speech therapists, we review every word of the novel. They must not have double meanings, for example. If a sentence spreads over two lines, we must identify where it can be cut so that the reading remains smooth.
We also space our sentences so that the reader can focus on one line at a time. The more content there is on the page, the harder it becomes to read for someone with Alzheimer’s. The same goes for the images we choose. […]
Huguette visits Expo 67, Nancy Mbatika, 32 pages. (Chachacha Editions)
It’s really a unique creation process. We create the story with the author Nancy Mbatika, but then I still send the book to a group of speech therapists who review it. After that, we send it to families, Alzheimer’s societies, and day centers for testing. […]
As an editor, it’s super important for me to offer quality products that are beautiful. Just because people have Alzheimer’s doesn’t mean they deserve to have books in black and white with photos [taken from stock images].
Q Are the subjects specifically chosen to evoke memories for the readers?
R Yes, we try to find subjects that are culturally significant and appealing to all genders. There are often things for women, but very few for men. That’s why we made Arthur and his Cars. […] We are also working on Lucie and her Flowering Garden. In December, we are set to publish a love story that takes place in a diner. And we have many more subjects planned for next year.
Q There are also questions at the end of the novel. Do they serve to create moments between the reader and their caregiver? Have you had the opportunity to test them with your mother?
R Unfortunately, my mother is at too advanced a stage of the disease now, but I create these products for others.
In fact, we want to go beyond just the activity of reading. […] We hope to encourage families to continue visiting their loved ones at home or in houses.
I often hear that people no longer know what to say to their father, what to do with their mother, that it makes them uncomfortable to have to repeat the same question ten times.
With the books, we provide small tools to enhance their visits. […] There’s also a QR code at the beginning of the book that gives tips on how to approach reading.
Arthur and his Cars, Nancy Mbatika, 32 pages. (Chachacha Editions)
Q At what stage of the disease are your books targeted?
R In fact, there are four stages of Alzheimer’s disease: mild, when the diagnosis is made and changes are noticed; moderate, when assistance starts to be needed; advanced stage, where the individual loses autonomy; and then end of life.
Our books come into play at the moderate stage until the beginning of the advanced stage, as soon as help is needed with reading. It’s during this stage that I found nothing for my mother.
Q Why are you convinced that it is important to continue reading despite the disease?
R Because there are benefits for both caregivers and those they help!
Some caregivers simply don’t know that the person they are assisting can still read! Seeing the joy they experience when they discover this and share a good moment together moves me deeply. […]
The individuals regain confidence in themselves. They take pride in seeing that they can still read. There are also impacts on well-being such as a reduction in anxiety, depression, etc. […]
Right now, I am finishing a Master’s degree in gerontology and we have spent a lot of time on the importance of social participation for seniors and people with Alzheimer’s. Reconnecting with their loved ones and maintaining social ties improves their daily lives.
Q Over time, helping elderly people and those living with cognitive disorders has become a passion or rather a mission?
R It’s really a mission. […] I want to make an impact in Quebec, improve activity programs in CHSLDs, get involved to enhance the well-being of individuals with neurocognitive disorders and support their caregivers.
Q Do you have a particular dream?
R I have so many! But my ultimate goal is to continue engaging with various researchers so that the concrete tools we implement reach the government. I would like this to lead to truly adapted activity programs.
I see an evolution over the last ten years. Increasingly, the government is aware of the importance of stimulation, physical activity, and social participation. But I would like us to go even further. […] We don’t go to CHSLDs to die. We go there because we need help.
To learn more about the books Huguette visits Expo 67 and Arthur and his Cars, you can visit the Chachacha Editions website.
For more information on Alzheimer’s disease: www.alzheimer.ca/federationquebecoise/fr
***The questions and answers may have been edited for clarity and conciseness.
Future Trends in Dementia-Friendly Literature and Activities
The emergence of specialized literature and activities designed for individuals with neurocognitive disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, is gaining momentum. As the aging population grows, so does the need for resources tailored to enhance the quality of life for those affected by such conditions.
One notable trend is the focus on creating engaging reading material that is not only accessible but also culturally relevant. Publishers, like Éditions Chachacha, are pioneering this approach by collaborating with speech therapists and caregivers to ensure that content resonates with readers, while being easy to understand. The goal is to spark memories and create connections, making reading a shared, joyful experience.
Another crucial aspect is the integration of interactive elements within books. By incorporating questions and prompts designed to stimulate conversation between the reader and caregiver, these resources encourage meaningful interactions. This trend highlights a shift towards recognizing the therapeutic benefits of reading and social engagement in managing Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Furthermore, digital innovation is likely to play a significant role in the future. With the popularity of QR codes and mobile resources, readers can access supplementary materials that provide guidance on how to use these books effectively during visits. This digital enhancement will cater to a broader audience, allowing for greater accessibility and convenience.
Lastly, as research continues to evolve, there is a promising movement towards advocating for systemic changes in public health policies. Collaborations between publishers, healthcare professionals, and researchers are essential to create comprehensive programs that address the unique needs of people with cognitive disorders and their families. This push for change could lead to increased funding for activities and resources, ensuring that individuals in assisted living facilities and at home are not just receiving care, but also engaging in fulfilling activities that nurture their well-being.