List Books » A Dignified Life: The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care, A Guide for Family Caregivers
Authors: Virginia Bell, David Troxel
ISBN-13: 9780757300608, ISBN-10: 075730060X
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Health Communications, Incorporated
Date Published: September 2002
Edition: (Non-applicable)
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.
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.
Dedication | xiii | |
Acknowledgments | xv | |
Introduction | xix | |
I | Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia | |
1 | What's Happening? The Experience of Alzheimer's Disease | 3 |
Worry and Anxiety | ||
Frustration | ||
Confusion | ||
Loss | ||
Sadness | ||
Embarrassment | ||
Paranoia | ||
Fear | ||
Anger | ||
Isolation and Loneliness | ||
The Best Friends Approach | ||
2 | What Is Known? Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research | 21 |
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? | ||
3 | What Now? Making Sense of the Diagnosis | 45 |
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 | ||
II | The Best Friends Approach | |
4 | A New Start: The Art of Friendship | 63 |
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 | ||
5 | Memory Making: Honoring a Person's Life Story | 97 |
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 | ||
6 | The "Knack": Basic Principles of Dementia Care | 137 |
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 | ||
III | The Best Friends Approach in Action | |
7 | Connecting: 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 | ||
8 | Being Together: Managing and Valuing Activities | 183 |
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 | ||
9 | Inner Passage: Spiritual Journeying and Religion | 209 |
Celebrate the Person's Religious Heritage | ||
Embrace Simplicity | ||
Look to the Creative Arts | ||
Nourish Your Own Spiritual Life | ||
Give Spiritual Care Throughout the Illness | ||
10 | Finding Help: Navigating the Long-Term Care Maze | 223 |
Care in the Home | ||
Adult Day Center Care | ||
Residential Care (Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Continuing Care Retirement Communities) | ||
IV | Living with Dignity | |
11 | Self-Care: Being Your Own Best Friend | 251 |
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 | ||
12 | Transformations | 271 |
Contentment | ||
Serenity and Peacefulness | ||
Orientation | ||
Fulfillment | ||
Cheerfulness | ||
Confidence | ||
Trust | ||
Security | ||
Calm | ||
Connectedness | ||
Community Resources for Making In-Home Care Easier | 279 | |
Organizations, Web Sites, and Recommended Readings | 287 | |
Biographies | 299 | |
About the Authors | 321 |