Finding the Light in Dementia: A Guide for Families, Friends and Caregivers

by Dr. Jane M Mullins

$16.99

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Author: Dr. Jane M Mullins

Publisher: DUETcare Publishing

Paperback:
ISBN 10: 1999926803
ISBN 13: 978-1999926809

'Finding the Light in Dementia: a Guide for Families, Friends and Caregivers' is the essential self help book that helps you make sense of dementia. By offering valuable approaches, tips and suggestions interspersed with caregiver stories, the reader can learn to care for and communicate with their loved one (care partner). Whether you're a spouse, partner, daughter, son, sibling, friend, parent or paid caregiver, this book is for you. Finding the Light in Dementia will help give you more confidence to care by: -Supporting you through a diagnosis of dementia -Helping you understand what your care partner is experiencing -Teaching you ways to communicate and connect with each other -Helping you make subtle changes to your home to help your care partner feel safe and content - Introducing practical and creative ways to stimulate memories to help with day to day living =Showing you how to create lifestories together -Suggesting ways to keep your care partner interested and engaged in meaningful activities -Providing tips for sleeping, eating and drinking -Suggesting ways to help your care partner with their appearance and dignity -Showing you ways of overcoming the challenges of changing behaviour, reactions and responses -Helping reduce the effects of hallucinations, delusions and misperceptions -Suggesting ways for you to care for yourself -Involving families and friends -Giving advice when considering professional care at home and in residential careKnowing how tired and stressed you may feel, 'Finding the Light in Dementia' is written in bite sized chunks that makes it easy to follow. By giving you space to write down any points you would like to make and providing question sheets for you to refer to when speaking with your doctor and/or legal professionals you can make this your personal guide. When following the approaches in this book, you should find that your care partner will feel more understood and you will become calmer thereby helping you both find a sense of connection and continue to live well.

Review

"It's absolutely amazing, I think it should be compulsory reading for everybody at the start of dementia. I wish it had been around when my husband started developing it." -- Elizabeth Cox, Wife and Caregiver

"This easy to read, sensible and insightful book, offers practical information and advice simply and compassionately given for all stages of the condition. This will be a great resource which can be picked up in times of need and can be used to jot down questions, ideas and useful strategies along the journey that can be helpful reminders when talking with healthcare professionals. Knowing that you are not alone on this journey and that there are people out there like Jane with the expertise, knowledge, empathy and the passion to offer this support means a great deal. Jane lets us know that none of us are experts, but with kindness and wisdom helps us to do our best and advises that we all need to be kind to ourselves and ask for help when we need it." -- Carol Maddock, Daughter

"Jane's compassion and warmth shines through her words. I believe that it will be a comfort to families/ caregivers who are experiencing the fear of a diagnosis and will offer an anchor when they're unsure of how to communicate. I think it will also be a helpful tool for professionals to help them educate extended family and friends to help them understand what's happening and manage expectations. Jane has a real knack for taking the 'edge' off a difficult subject through her reassuring tone and practical tips. This gives people a pathway to follow through the 'mist' as you would say- a guiding light."-- Mari Evans Mental Health Nurse Consultant

"Finding the Light In Dementia has been invaluable and has helped us know what to do and how. We are currently caring for my 90-year-old Mum together in her home and with all the challenges that Stage 6 Alzheimer's bring, this book has been a great source of wisdom on how to tailor our approach. We have used the book to provide a consistent approach to her care. All professional home caregivers would also benefit from reading this to enable them to provide the best care possible in their role. It's also a book that reminds us to look after ourselves!"--Angharad and Anthony Brown, Daughter and Son-in-Law, Family Carers

"This little book is a life saver for people who have dementia and their caregivers, families and friends. I think it should be given out by every professional who gives the initial diagnosis. People need something to grasp, and the sensitivity, simplicity and emotion contained in this book may help them cope better."-- Lorraine Morgan, Nurse Gerontologist

"It is an insightfully wonderful book for both caregivers and professionals alike. 'Finding The Light In Dementia' helps to calm the overwhelming feelings that come with a diagnosis of Dementia or Alzheimer's. It is almost as if Jane has gently taken your hand in hers and is walking alongside you, encouraging you through this new chapter of your life. She has provided wonderful information; plus note pages at the end of the chapters for you to keep a record of the questions you want to ask the Doctor. This book is a much needed gift to yourself." -- Carole Fawcett, MPCC, Counsellor

About the Author

Dr. Jane M. Mullins is a dementia nurse consultant who has devoted over 25 years to the study and practice of dementia care. Through listening to and supporting people and their families during their diagnosis in memory clinics, caring for people who have dementia in hospital and in care homes, she has helped people throughout all of the stages of their condition. When managing a Nursing Home, she has supported their transition from home to residential care using lifestories as a guide to planning their life and care throughout their remaining years. This has also included supporting their partners, families and friends. Her particular passions are finding ways to communicate through music, nature and art as a way to helping people feel well and valued while living with dementia. Jane has uncovered certain common features that may help caregivers and the people they care for find better ways of coping, you can find these in her new book: Finding the Light in Dementia, a Guide for Families, Friends and Caregivers. Her extensive practice experience is backed up by expert knowledge gained from keeping up with research, attending conferences, seminars, investigator meetings, lecturing and studying for her PhD; A suitcase full of memories: a sensory ethnography of dementia. She explores sensory, creative and intuitive ways of communicating with those living with dementia. Her passion of spreading the word about how to connect with and help those affected by dementia also shines through in her columns in the Mature Times, Mumbles Times and Cardiff Times.