Meaningful Connections: Positive Ways To Be Together When A Loved One Has Dementia - Tapa blanda

This book helps family caregivers and other care partners find new ways to engage and have meaningful connections with loved ones who have Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. Suggestions, ideas, and case examples are presented throughout the book to help caregivers have more positive visits. One chapter describes how dementia can affect engagement and presents a simple tool called the dementia abilities continuum. The continuum can help caregivers and care partners assess their loved one’s cognitive abilities and determine the best ways to engage in more meaningful ways. Family caregivers are encouraged to use past hobbies, interests, and passions to create ‘person-centered’ ways of engaging, which can stimulate memory and positive emotions. Another chapter contains an extensive list of activities, categorized by theme, which can be used for engagement. In addition, recommendations are offered on how to adapt the activity as your loved one’s cognitive abilities decline. Each category, such as gardening or hobbies, contains different types of activities, ideas, and items that can be used when visiting. Of special interest, are the ‘Grab & Go Activity Boxes,’ which are a collection of items that can be created based upon a loved one’s interests. Using the ‘Grab & Go Activity Boxes’ can be a great way to connect with a loved one with dementia. Practical tips are provided on the best ways to visit, and on how to handle challenging situations, such as when a loved one is agitated, restless, distracted or asks to go home. Additionally, this book includes chapters on how to cope with the difficult feelings, such as guilt, anger and sadness, as well as how to be with your loved one at the end of life. Lastly, the Appendices contain helpful resources, websites and information about creative items and programs designed for people with dementia.

Nancy L. Kriseman, LCSW, is a geriatric clinical social worker in private practice. She provides counseling, consultation, and educational seminars to family caregivers and organizations. She has over 35 years of experience working in eldercare, focusing much of her professional career on working with family caregivers. She has published numerous articles on aging issues, and has two other books: ‘The Caring Spirit Approach to Eldercare’ and ‘The Mindful Caregiver: Finding Ease in the Caregiving Journey.’ She also has been a caregiver to her mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and lived with it for seventeen years.