Coping with Behavior Change
By Laurie White & Beth Spencer
A Family Caregiver’s Guide
This handbook is intended to help families understand possible causes of common behavior changes and learn to respond more effectively to 12 dementia behaviors that care partners find challenging, including repetitive actions, agitation and incontinence. It is our firm belief that many of the most challenging behaviors may be minimized when caregivers learn how to identify root causes and try strategies that are known to help some people with dementia much of the time. This book is based on the premise that we all have basic human needs, including to be loved, comforted, to be productive members of our community and to feel as though we belong. We all need emotional warmth and a sense of identity. These needs are no different for someone living with cognitive loss.
There are also sections about communication and problem-solving, a glossary and an extensive list of books, videos and other resources for people with dementia, family caregivers and health care professionals. Each behavior includes case examples from families we have worked with as well as suggestions for talking with your relative.
“Coping with Behavior Change in Dementia should be in every resource library and will be helpful to dementia professionals and families as they navigate the sometimes tough road that comes with the caregiving journey.”
Laurie White and Beth Spencer have given both professional and family caregivers an exceptionally helpful and respectful resource that transcends generic behavioral management tips by laying a foundation that behavior is first and foremost, a form of communication that must be understood. The breadth of the authors’ wisdom is reflected in their sensitive, comprehensive, and extremely practical approaches to the understanding and management of common and often confusing situations surrounding tasks of daily living, mood changes, communication, and intimacy. I highly recommend this outstanding resource and am most grateful to have this very readable guide to share with families.
Information on dementia can be so widespread and confusing. This book provides an easy-to-read and organized approach to exactly what its title states. As an RN and caretaker to my husband diagnosed with early dementia, I am able to use this book as an excellent reference in both my professional and personal approach to people with this disease. In my personal inquiry about sex and dementia, I found little information on the web other than blogs. This book answered many of my questions to better cope with my own ever changing relationship. This is a ‘must have’ book and guide for anyone facing dementia as a caretaker.