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A Dignified Life: The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care, A Guide for Family Caregivers »

Book cover image of A Dignified Life: The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care, A Guide for Family Caregivers by Virginia Bell

Authors: Virginia Bell, David Troxel
ISBN-13: 9780757300608, ISBN-10: 075730060X
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Health Communications, Incorporated
Date Published: September 2002
Edition: (Non-applicable)

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Author Biography: Virginia Bell

Virginia Bell, MSW, developed the Helping Hand Adult Day Center sponsored by the Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana chapter of the Alzheimer's Association in Lexington, Kentucky. The award-winning facility was one of the first dementia-specific adult day programs established in this country and remains one of the best. She received her master's in social work and served on two Kentucky Governor's Task Forces studying Alzheimer's care and service delivery. A frequent and popular speaker on aging, Ms. Bell has been directly involved with the annual conference of Alzheimer's Disease International for more than a decade.

David Troxel, MPH, is a recognized expert on the best practices in Alzheimer's care and is a popular keynote speaker at conferences related to Alzheimer's and aging services. Along with Virginia Bell and others, he established a statewide network of support groups and services in Kentucky for patients and their caregivers. Troxel is the executive director of the California Central Coast chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and is also the associate editor of Early Alzheimer's, an international newsletter sponsored by the California Central Coast chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Book Synopsis

Offering an enlightened new approach to Alzheimer's care A Dignified Life will become a practical, life-enhancing resource for anyone faced with the daunting responsibility of caring for someone with Alzheimer's, either at home or a medical facility.

Table of Contents

Dedicationxiii
Acknowledgmentsxv
Introductionxix
IAlzheimer's Disease and Dementia
1What's Happening? The Experience of Alzheimer's Disease3
Worry and Anxiety
Frustration
Confusion
Loss
Sadness
Embarrassment
Paranoia
Fear
Anger
Isolation and Loneliness
The Best Friends Approach
2What Is Known? Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research21
Is It Normal to Have Memory Lapses Now and Then? Can a Doctor Help Someone Determine if There Is a Problem?
What Does It Mean if the Doctor Diagnoses Some Form of Dementia? Is That the Same as Senility?
Disorders That May Be Treatable
Disorders That Are Currently Irreversible
What Does It Mean if My Doctor Is Using the "A" Word--Alzheimer's Disease?
Do All People with Alzheimer's Disease Have the Same Course of Illness?
What Kind of Medical Treatment Is Appropriate?
Can Other Health Problems Worsen the Effects of Dementia?
What Are Psychotropic Drugs and Can They Help?
Is Alzheimer's Disease Inherited?
Can Alzheimer's Disease Be Prevented?
How Does a Person with Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia Become Part of a Research Study?
What Happens at the End?
3What Now? Making Sense of the Diagnosis45
Be Open with the Person About His or Her Situation
Deal with Denial
Be Open with Others About Your Family Situation
Get Legal and Financial Affairs in Order
Make a Financial Plan for Health Care Services
Make a Realistic Assessment of Yourself and Your Community
Make a Realistic Assessment of Your Loved One with Dementia
Work to Preserve, or Even Enhance, Family Relationships
Continue to Be Part of the Community
Make the Environment Simple and Safe
IIThe Best Friends Approach
4A New Start: The Art of Friendship63
Friends Know Each Other's Personality and History
Friends Do Things Together
Friends Communicate
Friends Build Self-Esteem
Friends Laugh Together Often
Friends Are Equals
Friends Work at the Relationship
5Memory Making: Honoring a Person's Life Story97
Ingredients of the Life Story
Childhood
Adolescence
Young Adulthood
Middle Age
Later Years
Other Major Ingredients
How to Use the Life Story
Greeting the Person and Improving Recognition
Introducing the Person to Others
Reminiscing
Improving Communication through Clues and Cues
Designing Appropriate Activities
Pointing Out Past Accomplishments
Helping to Prevent Challenging Behaviors
Incorporating Past Daily Rituals
Broadening the Caregiving Network and Resources
Life Story of Rebecca Matheny Riley
6The "Knack": Basic Principles of Dementia Care137
Being Well-Informed
Having Empathy
Respecting the Basic Rights of the Person
Maintaining Caregiving Integrity
Employing Finesse
Knowing it Is Easier to Get Forgiveness than to Get Permission
Using Common Sense
Communicating Skillfully
Maintaining Optimism
Setting Realistic Expectations
Using Humor
Employing Spontaneity
Maintaining Patience
Developing Flexibility
Staying Focused
Being Nonjudgmental
Valuing the Moment
Maintaining Self-Confidence
Using Cueing Tied to the Life Story
Connecting with the Spiritual
Taking Care of Yourself
Planning Ahead
IIIThe Best Friends Approach in Action
7Connecting: Communicating with "Knack"163
Communicating with Knack
Avoid Arguments
Make Directions Clear
Coping with a Mother's Accusations
Doing Extra Work to Understand Seemingly Incomprehensible Words
Encouraging a Bathroom Stop
Dealing with Loss
8Being Together: Managing and Valuing Activities183
Be Productive or Make a Contribution
Experience Successes
Play
Be with Others
Build Skills
Have a Sense of Control
Feel Safe and Secure
Fill Religious or Spiritual Needs
Experience Growth and Learning
9Inner Passage: Spiritual Journeying and Religion209
Celebrate the Person's Religious Heritage
Embrace Simplicity
Look to the Creative Arts
Nourish Your Own Spiritual Life
Give Spiritual Care Throughout the Illness
10Finding Help: Navigating the Long-Term Care Maze223
Care in the Home
Adult Day Center Care
Residential Care (Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Continuing Care Retirement Communities)
IVLiving with Dignity
11Self-Care: Being Your Own Best Friend251
Ways to Take Care of Your Own Needs
When Everything Is Going Wrong
Consider the Future
The Power of a Diary: Rebecca and Jo Riley
12Transformations271
Contentment
Serenity and Peacefulness
Orientation
Fulfillment
Cheerfulness
Confidence
Trust
Security
Calm
Connectedness
Community Resources for Making In-Home Care Easier279
Organizations, Web Sites, and Recommended Readings287
Biographies299
About the Authors321

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