This simple, easy to read, 100 page guidebook helps family members, friends, and caregivers to better understand the changes that come with advancing dementia or other impairments in thinking, reasoning or processing information. It also reinforces the impact of Teepa Snow's guidance and person-centered care interventions including the GEMS and Positive Approach to Care techniques. The goal is to provide better support and care practices when someone is living with an ever-changing condition. By appreciating what has changed but leveraging what is still possible, care partners can choose interactions that are more positive, communication that is more productive, and care that is more effective and less challenging for all involved.
For nurses working with patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia this book provides an introduction to the theory and practice of reality orientation - a well-established treatment technique.
First puiblished in 1998, this book provides a professional and practical guide detailing social work interventions for people with dementia and their carers. It uses case studies from practice situations to exemplify the usefulness and potential pitfalls of a range of interventive strategies. The book includes interactive learning in the form of activities and reflections that can be undertaken individually or in small groups. Thus, it will serve a directly educative, as well as an informative function.
Seeing the GEMS Workbook is a 48-page full-color workbook designed to help learners develop a deeper understanding of Teepa Snow's GEMS State Model. This workbook details the characteristics of the GEMS states and the retained abilities associated with each. Because not all forms of brain change progress in a linear fashion, Seeing the GEMS Workbook provides specific skill information of each state, including vision, communication, dexterity/hand skills, body skills, and awareness of person, place, time and situation. The workbook content, quizzes, and associated bonus videos are designed to help you more quickly and accurately assess GEMS states and respond appropriately in a variety of situations.
How can positive psychology approaches help us to understand the process of adjustment to, and living well with dementia? As accounts of positive experiences in dementia are increasingly emerging, this book reviews current evidence and explores how psychological constructs such as hope, humour, creativity, spirituality, wisdom, resilience and personal growth may be linked with wellbeing and quality of life in dementia. Expert contributors from a range of academic and clinical backgrounds examine the application of positive psychological concepts to dementia and dementia care practice. The lived experiences of people with dementia are central to the book, and their voices bring life to the ideas explored, highlighting how positive experiences in dementia and dementia care are possible.
In her widely acclaimed Doing Things, Jitka M. Zgola offered practical and much-needed advice for those caring for persons with Alzheimer disease. Now, in Care That Works, Zgola shows how caregivers can better meet the demanding challenges of their job by building and improving their personal relationships with those in their care. Instead of simply prescribing approaches, Care That Works gives caregivers the information with which they can develop their own approaches, evaluate their effectiveness, and continue to grow in skill and insight. Zgola explains that optimal dementia care involves three elements: a good relationship between the caregiver and the person who has dementia, a safe and nurturing environment, and meaningful activities. Evident throughout the book is Zgola's gift for compassionately portraying the difficulties faced by people with dementia and then suggesting ways to act in a manner that accords such people the respect and dignity they deserve. Topics that receive special attention include communicating with persons who have language deficits and coping with problem behaviors—two critical problems in dementia care.
The correlation between 'disengagement' and illness in people with dementia living in long-term care settings is becoming more widely recognised, and developing and adapting front-line staff responses to the changing needs of individuals is a crucial factor in addressing this problem. This book presents a complete practical framework for whole person assessment, care planning and review of persons with dementia or signs of dementia (including those with learning disabilities) who are in need of, or already receiving, health and/or social support. The book provides photocopiable assessment forms, guidelines for carrying out the assessment, and suggestions for tailored interventions based on the profile that emerges from the assessment process. The authors also include a clear explanation of the five theoretical components of dementia that are considered in the assessment: health, biography, personality, neurological impairment and social psychology. This good practice guide will provide a step up to the challenge of providing person centred care as a minimum standard rather than just an ideal. Care workers in residential settings and social workers assessing clients for their support requirements will find this an essential resource.
The authors, specialists in the UK, draw on developmental theory to propose a model of practice specifically for dementia care. The number of people who suffer from dementia is increasing and in consequence the problems it presents are affecting a growing number of therapists and carers. Many of these problems are peculiar to dementia and the models of care used with other client groups have proved inadequate when dealing with the provision of quality of care to people who have dementia. This revised edition contains a new opening chapter which brings our understanding of dementia up-to-date. The book looks at the relationship between occupation, wellbeing and dementia and examines the critical role of the carer in developing therapeutic interventions. Proposes a realistic model of practice for dementia care which centres on the unique occupational potential of the person with dementia. Offers positive strategies to improve wellbeing. Current information on assessment tools. Written by therapists with extensive experience in working with this client group.
This new updated edition challenges the perceptions, beliefs and attitudes of professionals working in dementia care settings by drawing on the theory of person-centred care. It demonstrates the importance of this theory for interacting with and caring for people with dementia. It also provides an overview of the theory in relation to two other well-known theories on dementia, and stresses the need to consider the world from the perspective of people with dementia. Moreover, the book examines the importance of dementia care environments, positive interactions, meaningful activities and the concept of personhood, which are all essential to improving the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia. In closing, it underscores the need to remember that the focus of care should be on maximizing the person’s abilities, enabling them, and promoting person-centred care. Given its content and style, the book offers a resource that can be read and understood by health and social care professionals alike, as well as anyone else caring for someone with dementia, including family members and carers.
The revolutionary how-to guidebook that details ways to make it easier to provide dementia home care for people experiencing Alzheimer's or dementia. Alzheimer's home care is possible! Dementia with Dignity explains the groundbreaking new approach: the DAWN Method(R), designed so families and caregivers can provide home care. It outlines practical tools and techniques to help your loved one feel happier and more comfortable so that you can postpone the expense of long-term care. In this book you'll learn: -The basic facts about Alzheimer's and dementia, plus the skills lost and those not lost; -How to recognize and respond to the emotions caused by Alzheimer's or dementia, and avoid dementia-related behaviors; -Tools for working with an impaired person's moods and changing sense of reality; -Home care techniques for dealing with hygiene, safety, nutrition and exercise issues; -A greater understanding and appreciation of what someone with Alzheimer's or dementia is experiencing, and how your home care can increase home their emotional wellbeing. Wouldn't dementia home care be easier if you could get on the same page as your loved one? When we understand what someone experiencing Alzheimer's or dementia is going through, we can truly help them enjoy more peace and security at home. This book will help you recognize the unmet emotional needs that are causing problems, giving you a better understanding and ability to address them. The good news about dementia is that home care is possible. There are infinitely more happy times and experiences to be shared together. Be a part of caring for, honoring, and upholding the life of someone you love by helping them experience Alzheimer's or dementia with dignity. Judy Cornish is the author of The Dementia Handbook-How to Provide Dementia Care at Home, founder of the Dementia & Alzheimer's Wellbeing Network(R) (DAWN), and creator of the DAWN Method. She is also a geriatric care manager and elder law attorney, member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and the American Society on Aging (ASA).
