9 December 2020

Cambridgeshire woman's puzzle books are helping families bond with loved ones with dementia

A woman from Huntingdon, Cambs has used her own experience of looking after her late mum and now her father who has dementia, to start a business that will help others in a similar situation.

Frustrated at not being able to find a suitable puzzle book for her late mum, Gill Ashby has launched Bright Old Sparks, which now produces monthly puzzle books tailored for those with dementia and Alzheimer's.

The books feature a range of word, picture and number-based puzzles along with useful conversation prompts, to help families communicate with their loved ones.

The puzzles are graded which makes them suitable for people at different stages of dementia, or for use on good days and bad.

Gill explains: "My mum always loved crosswords and word games. When she started suffering with dementia I was looking for increasingly easier puzzles for her to do. Sadly there came a day when all I could find that would be manageable for her were children's puzzles.

"It is insulting and degrading to expect any adult to have to do children's puzzles and naturally my mum was upset at the idea. It is then that I realised I had to do something.

"As a former occupational therapist I had some understanding of dementia and related conditions. I researched the market and soon realised there was nothing out there that was appropriate. After some trial and error and market research with care homes, I created what you see today.

"Families often struggle to make conversation with their loved ones who have some form of dementia. The puzzle books are a great ice breaker. They can be used together to stimulate conversation, to reminisce about the past or simply to do the puzzles.

"Each month we have a different theme such as gardening or food, to reflect popular hobbies and interests. I know how hard it can be to keep conversation going when you are looking after or visiting someone with dementia. Feedback from users has shown that the Bright Old Sparks puzzle books are helping to bring families together and keep that all important communication flowing."

The puzzle books make an ideal Christmas gift for anyone looking for an alternative to soap, chocolates and biscuits for their relatives with dementia.

Gill gives a percentage of each publication to Dementia UK and Alzheimer's UK.

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Editor's note

Bright Old Sparks puzzle books are £9.50 per issue or £7.50 if bought as an annual subscription

For further information or to arrange an interview with Gill, please contact Joanne Parker of JP Writing Services on 07596 719763 or email: joanne@jpwritingservices.co.uk