[jebartle]

Adult coloring books topping bestseller lists - CNN.com

[rubicon]

I am still puzzled about adult cartoons It strikes me as an oxymoron

[dewilson58]

My bride and adult children love them.
They say it's relaxing.

[Villager Joyce]

It is supposed to keep your brain active.

[spring_chicken]

I have a question about these, if anyone knows. I'm thinking of getting some for my mother who is in early stages of dementia/alzheimers. She does have trouble seeing, even with her glasses. I noticed her using a magnifying glass to read the paper. All of the coloring books I see on Amazon seem to have very intricate, small areas that I'm afraid she'd have trouble seeing. Do you think she would struggle with this? Do they have books with larger designs?
Also, do you use crayons, colored pencils, gel pens...?

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by spring_chicken

I have a question about these, if anyone knows. I'm thinking of getting some for my mother who is in early stages of dementia/alzheimers. She does have trouble seeing, even with her glasses. I noticed her using a magnifying glass to read the paper. All of the coloring books I see on Amazon seem to have very intricate, small areas that I'm afraid she'd have trouble seeing. Do you think she would struggle with this? Do they have books with larger designs?
Also, do you use crayons, colored pencils, gel pens...?

Just me: Avoid the new adult coloring books. As you noted, very intricate......I think that's part of the adult attraction. Without being offensive, I would look for children coloring books with larger coloring sections and I would also do pencils, crayons might be too blunt.

[spring_chicken]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Just me: Avoid the new adult coloring books. As you noted, very intricate......I think that's part of the adult attraction. Without being offensive, I would look for children coloring books with larger coloring sections and I would also do pencils, crayons might be too blunt.

Thanks, I'm still trying to figure out how to give her coloring books without her thinking I'm treating her like a child. I can't imagine the struggles of losing your faculties, and I can understand why it might seem demeaning to her. I thought I would tell her about the club down here so she'd know that it's perfectly normal.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by spring_chicken

Thanks, I'm still trying to figure out how to give her coloring books without her thinking I'm treating her like a child. I can't imagine the struggles of losing your faculties, and I can understand why it might seem demeaning to her. I thought I would tell her about the club down here so she'd know that it's perfectly normal.

Even coloring in children's coloring books is completely normal. My daughter always puts them out for everyone during the Christmas season and we sit around coloring. Nothing wrong with coloring in children's coloring books at all. The youngest in our family at present is 23.

[Villager Joyce]

Originally Posted by spring_chicken

I have a question about these, if anyone knows. I'm thinking of getting some for my mother who is in early stages of dementia/alzheimers. She does have trouble seeing, even with her glasses. I noticed her using a magnifying glass to read the paper. All of the coloring books I see on Amazon seem to have very intricate, small areas that I'm afraid she'd have trouble seeing. Do you think she would struggle with this? Do they have books with larger designs?
Also, do you use crayons, colored pencils, gel pens...?

Is it possible to enlarge the pages to 11 by 14? It would still be intricate, but enlarged.

[Cedwards38]

My 22 year old daughter is really into these. The adult books are very intricate and when completed provide some beautiful art. It's just a way for her to relax and be creative.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by spring_chicken

Thanks, I'm still trying to figure out how to give her coloring books without her thinking I'm treating her like a child. I can't imagine the struggles of losing your faculties, and I can understand why it might seem demeaning to her. I thought I would tell her about the club down here so she'd know that it's perfectly normal.

Books are cheap, buy one for you and one for her

and

"mom, i've been reading how the adult coloring books are the new thing. i got one for each of us."

and

share some time together.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Books are cheap, buy one for you and one for her

and

"mom, i've been reading how the adult coloring books are the new thing. i got one for each of us."

and

share some time together.

You are a good person, dewilson58.

[Pointer]

Studies show that coloring books are very meditative and relaxing. I would suggest that if you get the smooth paper type that you get some markers, new paper type might be best with crayons. Also there has been some success in having things that they remember from their childhood to calm. I would imagine not being able to remember things is very frightening so kids coloring books with pictures from things in the past might be of benefit. Caregivers can certainly use some relaxation too so doing them together or alone might be just what the doctor ordered. Have fun.

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by spring_chicken

Thanks, I'm still trying to figure out how to give her coloring books without her thinking I'm treating her like a child. I can't imagine the struggles of losing your faculties, and I can understand why it might seem demeaning to her. I thought I would tell her about the club down here so she'd know that it's perfectly normal.

Spring Chicken - your concern is valid. My mother was in memory care and one of the main activities was to color - kept the residents busy with little interaction required of staff. She would get so angry and ask "why are they treating me like a child"? She could care less if it was hipster, cool, or the new rage - coloring in her world and mind was for children. So present the idea slowly to feel her out and not offend her.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Books are cheap, buy one for you and one for her and

"mom, i've been reading how the adult coloring books are the new thing. i got one for each of us."

and share some time together.

You are a real sweetheart to suggest this approach.