E-Book Overview
Caring for a person with dementia is a difficult and often- overwhelming task. In addition to the inevitable decline in memory and physical function, most persons with dementia develop one or more troublesome behavior problems, such as depression, fearfulness, sleep disturbances, paranoia, or physical aggression at some point in their disease. Behavioral challenges in dementia are highly idiosyncratic. No two patients are alike, and interventions that work well with one person are often ineffective with another. Caregivers often become stuck: either unable to figure out how best to help their loved one, or unable to consistently implement positive practices they know would improve their situation. This book offers caregivers a set of practical and flexible tools to enable them become more resilient in the face of difficulty and change.McCurry teaches caregivers how to take advantage of their own creativity and inner resources to develop strategies that will work in their unique situations. She presents her set of five core principles and then brings them to life through vignettes. Anyone who lives, works, or comes in contact with a person who has dementia will benefit from this volume.
E-Book Content
When a Family Member Has Dementia: STEPS TO BECOMING A RESILIENT CAREGIVER
Susan M. McCurry
PRAEGER
When a Family Member Has Dementia
When a Family Member Has Dementia STEPS TO BECOMING A RESILIENT CAREGIVER
Susan M. McCurry Foreword by Linda Teri
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data McCurry, Susan M. When a family member has dementia : steps to becoming a resilient caregiver / Susan M. McCurry ; foreword by Linda Teri. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0–275–98574–1 (alk. paper) 1. Dementia. 2. Dementia—Patients—Care. 3. Caregivers. I. Title. RC521.M39 2006 362.196'83—dc22 2005025490 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright # 2006 by Susan M. McCurry All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2005025490 ISBN: 0–275–98574–1 First published in 2006 Praeger Publishers, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.praeger.com Printed in the United States of America
The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48-1984). 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To Anne and Craig
There is an appointed time for everything, A time to weep, and a time to laugh, A time to mourn, and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4
Contents
Foreword by Linda Teri
ix
Preface
xi
Acknowledgments
xv
I. THE PROBLEM: DEMENTIA CAREGIVING IS HARD!
Chapter 1. Why Resilience Matters II. THE PROGRAM: LEARNING THE DEMENTIA DANCE
1 5 21
Chapter 2. D: Don’t Argue!
27
Chapter 3. A: Accept the Disease
49
Chapter 4. N: Nurture Yourself
69
Chapter 5. C: Create Novel Solutions
93
Chapter 6. E: Enjoy the Moment
111
III. THE PROMISE: YOU CAN DO IT!
133
Appendix: Caregiver Resources
139
Notes
143
Bibliography
153
Index
163
Foreword
Many years ago, while presenting to a group of professionals and family members interested in learning how to deal with the behavioral problems so common in Alzheimer’s disease, I discussed the need to slow down and be aware of how we communicate—to treat the person with dementia as we would like to be treated. On one hand, this concept is so critical that