A Loving Approach to Dementia Care: Making Meaningful Connections with the Person Who Has Alzheimer's Disease or Other Dementia or Memory Loss

by Laura Wayman

Overview

Caring for someone with dementia means devotedly and patiently doing a hundred little things each day. Few care providers are trained to meet the challenges of dementia, however. They need the guidance this book provides to overcome caregiving obstacles and cultivate more meaningful relationships with loved ones who have dementia and memory loss.

Laura Wayman's program of care emphasizes communication, affirmative response, and empowerment -- transforming the caregiving process from a burden into a fulfilling journey. Her true stories of caregiving illustrate the principles of this loving approach, giving readers essential tools for connecting with people who have dementia.

In addition to offering valuable lessons on how to provide the best possible care, Wayman urges caregivers not to neglect themselves: take care of yourself so you will have physical and mental energy to share with your loved one. The practical tips included here will help you balance your own needs with those of your loved one, creating a more positive experience for you both.

A Loving Approach to Dementia Care is a special guide, filled with respect, calmness, creativity -- and love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421400853
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	06/15/2011
Series:	A 36-Hour Day Book
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Laura Wayman holds an associate in arts degree in gerontology and is a certified Social Services Designee. She has over a decade of experience in and a strong dedication to quality aging. She is a professional dementia care consultant; the CEO of The Dementia Whisperers; and a sought-after speaker on dementia and issues of aging.

Professional dementia care consultant Laura Wayman holds an associate in arts degree in gerontology and is a certified Social Services Designee. The CEO of The Dementia Whisperers, Wayman has over a decade of experience in and a strong dedication to quality aging, and she is a sought-after speaker on dementia and issues of aging.

Table of Contents

Foreword Cary G. Rotter vii

Thanks and Appreciation xi

1 Introduction: Navigating the Journey 1

2 Peggy: The Ultimate Toll Alicia Murray 8

3 Deborah: A Daughter's Journey 12

4 Charles: There Is Nothing Wrong with Me 19

5 Frances: What Is Dementia? 27

6 Jill: Into the Dementia Wonderland 41

7 Natalie: Much More than Words 46

8 Vada: Past, Present, and Future 52

9 Joe: Communicating the Gift of Value 56

10 Lucy and Betty: Thinking Outside the Box 62

11 Edna: You're Just Imagining Things 68

12 Margie: If You Keep Doing What You Are Doing … 77

13 Harry: It's Bath Night! 83

14 Susan: Dealing with Disruption Alicia Murray 91

15 Grace: Moving beyond Guilt Alicia Murray 96

16 Virginia: Laughter Is Therapeutic Alicia Murray 99

17 Beatrice and Henry: The Power of Gratitude 101

18 Sean: The Puzzling Pieces of Grief Denise Pedersen 105

19 Lessons, Perceptions, and Approaches: A Reader's Guide 114

The Dementia-Aware Guide to Caregiving 123

References 141

About the Authors 145

Index 147

What People are Saying About This

Dr. Bill Thomas

Although there are many books about dementia, far too few give voice to people living with dementia. Laura Wayman's A Loving Approach to Dementia Care places the person at the center of a remarkable journey of understanding. A universe of choice comes into being when meaningful connections develop between the people who are giving and receiving care and Wayman shows us how person and relationship can take precedence over diagnosis and disease. This is an exceptionally valuable contribution to the literature.

— Dr. Bill Thomas, founder of the Eden Alternative and author of What Are Old People For?

Michelle Nevins

Laura Wayman has been providing valuable education to our families for the past decade. Ms. Wayman has a knack for connecting with her audience and engaging them with examples from actual families she has assisted over the years. I am pleased that her book is available to supplement her insightful trainings. Family caregivers will truly benefit from Laura’s expertise in connecting with people who have dementia in a loving and meaningful way.

— Michelle Nevins, Executive Director, Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center, California

Denise Davis

An amazing book that focuses on the people involved in the journey of caregiving. Readers will be able to relate to the stories that Laura Wayman tells, and having her insights is like having your own personal caregiver trainer, complete with invaluable tips and strategies. This is an excellent guide—a must read for caregivers.

— Denise Davis, Program Director, Alzheimer's Association of Northern California/Northern Nevada, Greater Sacramento Area Office

Editorial Reviews

"This book can be warmly recommended to caregivers as an upbeat and encouraging guide to developing those brief moments of successful communication... A Loving Approach to Dementia Care is exactly what it says on the label."

International Psychogeriatrics

"An amazing book that focuses on the people involved in the journey of caregiving. Readers will be able to relate to the stories that Laura Wayman tells, and having her insights is like having your own personal caregiver trainer, complete with invaluable tips and strategies. This is an excellent guide—a must read for caregivers."

Denise Davis

"It is good to have a guide that is as intuitive and humane as Laura Wayman. This book can be read profitably by family and friends of those affected with this disease and by anyone contemplating a career in elderly care. It will help lighten the burden for caregiver and patient alike."

Metapsychology

"Laura Wayman has been providing valuable education to our families for the past decade. Ms. Wayman has a knack for connecting with her audience and engaging them with examples from actual families she has assisted over the years. I am pleased that her book is available to supplement her insightful trainings. Family caregivers will truly benefit from Laura’s expertise in connecting with people who have dementia in a loving and meaningful way."

Michelle Nevins

"Although there are many books about dementia, far too few give voice to people living with dementia. Laura Wayman's A Loving Approach to Dementia Care places the person at the center of a remarkable journey of understanding. A universe of choice comes into being when meaningful connections develop between the people who are giving and receiving care and Wayman shows us how person and relationship can take precedence over diagnosis and disease. This is an exceptionally valuable contribution to the literature."

Dr. Bill Thomas

"Wayman’s passion for her work shines through and her real-life examples are pertinent -such as how to respond to someone who has dementia who constantly forgets a loved one has died... Although written for caregivers especially, family members, the book contains insights that are salient for health professionals, especially those seeking to develop their interpersonal and communication skills and understand how dementia can impact on peoples’ lives."

Nursing Times

"It is a book I wanted to share with everybody. It made me laugh out loud, it made me cry (really!) but most of all it made me think... as a resource I feel it is invaluable and I will be keeping it near to hand. It is not only a useful tool for use with dementia but it is also life-affirming (and I never expected to use that term without a certain cynicism)."

Nursing Times - Ibadete Fetahu

"This book can be warmly recommended to caregivers as an upbeat and encouraging guide to developing those brief moments of successful communication... A Loving Approach to Dementia Care is exactly what it says on the label."

International Psychogeriatrics - Martin Guha

"It is good to have a guide that is as intuitive and humane as Laura Wayman. This book can be read profitably by family and friends of those affected with this disease and by anyone contemplating a career in elderly care. It will help lighten the burden for caregiver and patient alike."

Metapsychology - Chris Vaughan