The Simplicity of Dementia : A Guide for Family and Carers

Christine Bryden was a top civil servant and single mother of three children when she was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 46. Since then she has gone on to challenge almost every stereotype of people with dementia by campaigning for self-advocacy, writing articles and speaking at national conferences. This book is a vivid account of the author's experiences of living with dementia, exploring the effects of memory problems, loss of independence, difficulties in communication and the exhaustion of coping with simple tasks. She describes how, with the support of her husband Paul, she continues to lead an active life nevertheless, and explains how professionals and carers can help. Christine Bryden makes an outspoken attempt to change prevailing attitudes and misconceptions about the disease. Arguing for greater empowerment and respect for people with dementia as individuals, she also reflects on the importance of spirituality in her life and how it has helped her better understand who she is and who she is becoming. Dancing with Dementia is a thoughtful exploration of how dementia challenges our ideas of personal identity and of the process of self-discovery it can bring about. The volume has ambitious scope and covers almost all potential supports and services. Most of the chapters have been written by professionals who work with people with dementia and their families, and most are British social workers and professionals allied-to-medicine (occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy).' - Ageing and Society 'Marshall, in her introduction, states that the aim of the book is to strengthen the link between rehabilitation and dementia and to encourage the understanding that people with dementia do benefit from rehabilitation and treatment. The book clearly meets this aim with the contributors offering convincing arguments for the conceptualisation of dementia care as rehabilitation and the potential for improvements in symptoms and in quality of life for people with dementia... The book is accessible, easy to read, informative and provides practical information and new ideas useful for practitioners, services providers, commissioners and policy makers.' - Social Policy 'This book has much to offer a range of professionals and those teaching them at post-qualifying levels.' - Journal of Interprofessional Care 'The chapters give us a real and honest appraisal of the pains and possibilities of dementia. And David Jolley ends his chapter with what could be seen as a surprising statement that "Life with dementia is worth Living". His ideas sum up the tone of the book which asserts that people with dementia still have much to give but need help in order to maintain health, safety and dignity, and offers various practical therapeutic models that have been worked out in different settings... throughout the book we are encouraged to keep the person with dementia at the centre of care and to see them as a unique individual with a disability who needs help.' - Perspectives on Rehabilitation and Dementia 'Service planners could gain from dipping in to this collection and testing the extent to which their current plans reflect the thinking shared by the authors. The importance of team working is stated throughout, and in an era of partnership working this provides yet another useful policy book on which to hang revised plans' - Community Care 'Contributions from people with dementia and their families provide the central core of the text and anchor it firmly in reality. There is a unanimously positive approach to rehabilitation. Many of the authors focus on self esteem and confidence with many references to the need of teamwork. They also share the positive view of people with dementia, which concentrates on personhood focussing upon the whole person, drawing upon their strengths as well as taking into account declining abilities in some areas. This book is strongly recommended for health care professions, particularly nursing courses.' - London Centre for Dementia Care News 'The book explores the positive outcomes for people with dementia in terms of quality of life and self-esteem, especially if rehabilitation is seen as a positive philosophy of practice as well as a set of skills and approaches. It includes many different perspectives from a diverse group of professionals, carers and practitioners, and people with dementia themselves.' - Working with Older People Perspectives on Rehabilitation and Dementia offers new insights into the application of a well-established approach and set of skills to a group of people who have traditionally been thought not to benefit from them. Indeed people with dementia have missed out on physical and psychological rehabilitation very substantially. This book demonstrates that rehabilitation has positive outcomes for people with dementia in terms of quality of life and self-esteem, especially if rehabilitation is seen as a positive philosophy of practice as well as a set of skills and approaches. The perspectives in this book are those of a very diverse group of professionals, carers, and people with dementia themselves. Professional backgrounds and the settings in which they work are diverse and include both academics and practitioners. The voices of people with dementia underline the importance of seeing how they understand rehabilitation for themselves. Professionals in almost all caring professions - nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, acute, geriatric and psychiatric medicine, psychology, social work and rehabilitation - will increasingly find themselves working with people with dementia. They need to be alert to the latest thinking on approaches and interventions. This book provides a readable course text for understanding both their own professional contribution and that of others in the team. There has been a considerable and welcome growth of publications about dementia care and Jessica Kingsley Publishers has certainly played a very useful part in this growth... we need more not less of this quality of work and writing if society is to include those with dementia as full citizens.'- Christian Council on Ageing'The editors are to be congratulated on assembling a collection of contributions which make this book a milestone in the literature on dementia research and practice... [They] have collected papers on extraordinarily diverse issues and from a very diverse set of authors. Each of the chapters can be seen as an invaluable introduction to the topic area as well as addressing the main theme of the book. It is a milestone book because it manages to provide a snapshot of dementia studies at this moment in time and will, in my view, be widely quoted by policy makers, practice developers, researchers and trainers for the next few years... In such a treasure trove of approaches and issues it is hard to pick out the most striking... I would recommend this book: all readers of the journal will find chapters that they can use to improve dementia care.'- Journal of Dementia Care'What makes this particularly notable is that Innes, Archibald and Murphy have harnessed such individual voices to address so cogently. Together they address the core issues, all too often neglected or marginalized, in dementia research and care.Sexuality, communication, risk taking, ethnicity, incontinence and practices within remote rural communities are all subjects that draw threads from the very fabric of our society, and it is indicative of how wide the spectrum has broadened that these historically dispirit strands can be tackled constructively.'- Signpost'A diverse range of subjects are covered in a series of papers written by numerous professionals of standing from various disciplines... The subjects covered include ethnicity, spirituality, sexuality, dying with dementia (palliative care), faecal incontinence and risk-taking. There is a section addressing aspects of communicating with people with dementia and another covering the medical aspects of dementia that have not had much focus in recent years, such as hypertension and diabetes. Finally, there is a social science perspective, including discussing ways that people with dementia can be involved in the research process.I found the book easy to read and it is well written and clearly presented. Covering marginalized areas of practice, it offers food for thought for the reader and is a welcome addition to current literature'. - British Journal of Occupational Therapy'This book provides invaluable research results and innovative thinking which professionals studying gerontology and dementia care will find very useful throughout their careers.'- London Centre for Dementia Care Newsletter'The contributors to this volume examine the barriers to the consideration of social inclusion in the field of dementia studies and argue for the necessity of acknowledging the personhood of all individuals with dementia. The papers discuss the sexuality of people with dementia, communication and risk taking, and dementia care in remote rural communities, among other topics. The volume ends with suggestions for more inclusive values, service development, theory and research'. - Book News'The book, commendably, tries to look at marginalized issues within dementia, such as death and dying, sexuality and faecal incontinence.'- Mental Health Today'This is a book for the connoisseur. I wish I had contributed a paper. I wish I had read it even earlier. It will be appreciated by many people, from many backgrounds. This is the study of dementia and dementia-care grown to a new maturity. Chapters are original research papers, communicating new findings and analyses, set in the conte In Reducing Stress-Related Behaviours in people with Dementia, Chris Bonner has written a thoroughly entertaining, yet highly instructive, manual for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias... I highly recommend that everyone who encounters persons with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, routinely or occasionally, read through this manual. Even for seasoned professionals or family members who have given 10 years to the care of a spouse, there are insightful nuggets that will more than offset the modest cost of the book.'- Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books'I found this book to be both clear and accessible in terms of readability. It is a book that I believe would be a useful resource to care staff in a variety of settings. The beauty of it is that it is short, inexpensive, easy to read and understand - a book which care staff can perhaps dip into, without taking them away from their caring role too much.'- Signpost'The book is completely person orientated with the help of anecdotes. Original research sources are acknowledged without countless footnotes. There is a carefully compiled bibliography and a good index. To have achieved so much in a slim volume is very commendable and it is obvious that this should be a required text for every formal carer with copies available in staff rooms as chapters could be the subject of seminars or workshops as well as solving tricky problems in the very demanding work of caring for people with dementia whose behaviour can be difficult to understand.'- London Centre For Dementia Care'This invaluable book provides a wealth of practical strategies to prevent and reduce stress related behaviour in people with dementia. The author has drawn information from numerous carers with whom he has worked and his personal experience in caring for and enjoying the company of people with dementia. Throughout the book, case vignettes and small caricature illustrations are appropriately used to enhance the reading material and provide light humour. I would thoroughly recommend this book to all nursing and therapy staff involved with people with dementia.'- Occupational Therapy with Older PeopleThis practical book provides simple and imaginative ways to prevent and reduce stress-related behaviours in people with dementia in residential care.The author's approach is based on maximizing personal expression and fulfilment and recovering access to familiar, enjoyable and meaningful activities. He suggests strategies for managing common problems with feeding, bathing, toileting and sleep, looks at how to understand and cope with wandering, agitation and inappropriate sexual activity, and discusses ways of defusing aggressive behaviour. He also explains how to enhance care home environments and staff communication skills, and suggests a variety of helpful activities and therapies.Written in a clear, accessible style, this book will be an invaluable resource for residential care workers and the families and carers of people with dementia. The truly inspirational account of living positively with dementia. Christine Bryden was a top civil servant and single mother of three children when she was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 46. Since then she has gone on to challenge almost every stereotype of people with dementia by campaigning for self-advocacy, writing articles and speaking at national conferences.This book is a vivid account of the author's experiences of living with dementia, exploring the effects of memory problems, loss of independence, difficulties in communication and the exhaustion of coping with simple tasks. She describes how, with the support of her husband Paul, she continues to lead an active life nevertheless, and explains how professionals and carers can help.Christine Bryden makes an outspoken attempt to change prevailing attitudes and misconceptions about the disease. Arguing for greater empowerment and respect for people with dementia as individuals, she also reflects on the importance of spirituality in her life and how it has helped her better understand who she is and who she is becoming.Dancing with Dementia is a thoughtful exploration of how dementia challenges our ideas of personal identity and of the process of self-discovery it can bring about.(p)2017 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Written for all those concerned with providing services for people with dementia and their families, this book explores the idea that communication is not only possible but also vital to the understanding and the development of services. Based on a series of interviews with sufferers and professionals working in the field, on an extensive literature search, and on a consultative document which was sent out to over a thousand people, Hearing the Voice of People with Dementia discusses ten key the possibility of communication; the disempowering experience of dementia; the different ways in which people are affected; the need to respect peoples' sense of sense of time and place; the importance of knowing a person's `life story'; the effect of environmental and other factors on the process of communication; the non-verbal ways in which people with dementia communicate; the means of communicating through `challenging behaviour'; possibilities of group work; the value or harm of sharing a diagnosis. Practical advice and suggestions based on the research into these key areas are offered to help professionals gain a greater understanding of dementia and develop skills which aid communication. This practical book provides simple and imaginative ways to prevent and reduce stress-related behaviours in people with dementia in residential care. The author's approach is based on maximizing personal expression and fulfilment and recovering access to familiar, enjoyable and meaningful activities. He suggests strategies for managing common problems with feeding, bathing, toileting and sleep, looks at how to understand and cope with wandering, agitation and inappropriate sexual activity, and discusses ways of defusing aggressive behaviour. He also explains how to enhance care home environments and staff communication skills, and suggests a variety of helpful activities and therapies. Written in a clear, accessible style, this book will be an invaluable resource for residential care workers and the families and carers of people with dementia. This book offers an accessible and sympathetic introduction for relatives, carers and professionals looking after or training to work with people with dementia. Drawing on the two `laws of dementia', the author explains the causes of communication problems, mood disturbances and `deviant' behaviours, with particular emphasis on how these are experienced by dementia sufferers themselves. Case examples demonstrate the typical symptoms and progression of dementia, and clear guidance is provided on how to support dementia sufferers at every stage and help them deal with the challenges posed by their condition. Relatives and carers will find this book a source of essential information and encouragement to deal confidently with the difficulties posed by the condition both for people with dementia and those around them. Christine Bryden Was A Top Civil Servant And Single Mother Of Three Children When She Was Diagnosed With Dementia At The Age Of 46. Since Then She Has Gone On To Challenge Almost Every Stereotype Of People With Dementia By Campaigning For Self-advocacy, Writing Articles And Speaking At National Conferences. This Book Is A Vivid Account Of The Author's Experiences Of Living With Dementia, Exploring The Effects Of Memory Problems, Loss Of Independence, Difficulties In Communication And The Exhaustion Of Coping With Simple Tasks. She Describes How, With The Support Of Her Husband Paul, She Contin. A 'roller-coaster' Journey Since Early 1998 -- 'coming Out' With Dementia -- Let's Talk About Having Dementia -- I Know Who I'll Be When I Die. Christine Bryden. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 198-200). "This straightforward yet accessible book offers a comprehensive check-list of simple and imaginative ways to reduce and prevent stress-related behaviours in people with dementia, and keep them comfortable in their environment." "Chris Bonner gives practical suggestions for dealing with some of the problems commonly faced by people with dementia, such as eating, toileting, wandering, sleep, agitation and aggression. He also provides techniques for stimulating memory, ideas for calming the environment, tips on improving communication and effective therapies for reducing stress levels. This book is an invaluable manual for care workers and the families and carers of people with dementia."--BOOK JACKET Examining important issues in dementia research and care that are often neglected or marginalized, the contributors to this book provide fresh perspectives on current practice. The authors put dementia care into a socio-cultural framework, highlighting the impact of social change on dementia care over the last two decades and challenging current stereotypes. The contributors address the implications of power relationships between carers and people with dementia and take an in-depth look at a broad spectrum of issues, including: the sexuality of people with dementia; communication and risk taki "Perspectives on Rehabilitation and Dementia offers new insights into the application of a well established approach and set of skills to a group of people who have traditionally been thought not to benefit from them. Indeed people with dementia have missed out on physical and psychological rehabilitation very substantially. This book demonstrates that rehabilitation has positive outcomes for people with dementia in terms of quality of life and self-esteem, especially if rehabilitation is seen as a positive philosophy of practice as well as a set of skills and approaches."--BOOK JACKET

The contributors to this volume examine the barriers to the consideration of social inclusion in the field of dementia studies and argue for the necessity of acknowledging the personhood of all individuals with dementia. The papers discuss the sexuality of people with dementia, communication and risk taking, and dementia care in remote rural communities, among other topics. The volume ends with suggestions for more inclusive values, service development, theory and research. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Stress factors Results of stress Preventing/minimizing stress Find out as much as you can about the person Apply appropriate practices to minimize stress Addressing stress-related responses Hostile verbal and physical responses Verbally agitated behaviours Wandering Intrusiveness, rummaging or picking behaviour Managing feeding problems Managing inappropriate sexual activity Managing sleep disturbance Factors affecting sleep in elderly people with dementia Interventions to improve sleep Importance of teamwork, training and support. Written for all those concerned with providing services for people with dementia and their families, this book explores the idea that communication is not only possible but also vital to the understanding and the development of services. The book is based on a series of interviews with sufferers and professionals working in the field. It is widely recognised that dementia as a field of study has grown in popularity in the last 30 years creating an exciting time of opportunity for further theorising dementia and improving practice. "Taking an in-depth look at dementia research and service development, this book makes essential reading for practitioners, researchers and students working in the field of dementia care."--Jacket "The Simplicity of Dementia provides essential information and guidance for relatives, carers and professionals looking after or training to work with people with dementia"--Jacket