Dementia Care Guide

Congratulations! You are now well on the road toward becoming a dementia-aware caregiver. Every dementia care journey is unique—and you can also expect that the landscape will be constantly changing. Whether you are a family caregiver or a professional caregiver, it is important to remain adaptable with your care approach so you can successfully manage the dementia-related symptoms and behaviors in the moment.
Even with all of the lessons offered in this app, you may still have reservations about how to be a dementia-aware caregiver on a day-to-day basis. While it is important to individualize care approaches to the singular circumstances presented, there are many common challenges associated with dementia. To support you with caring for your loved one, client, or resident, this Dementia-Aware Guide to Caregiving is a quick reference tool for responding to difficult behaviors, as well as a way to practice this essential change in your care approach. As you read the examples below, begin to evaluate each challenge and consider options to put into practice for your individualized dementia-aware care approach. Then as you read the successful dementia-aware care approach these caregivers chose, reflect on whether your care approach choice was similar. You can even go a step further and think of other options, or a combination of options, that might also provide successful care outcomes.
Here is a “dementia reality mantra” that is useful to many people: “I cannot stop, change, or fix the dementia symptoms or behaviors. Instead, I can only manage them.” As you begin each day in your caregiving role, it is valuable to be mindful of this mantra. You may even want to recite it out loud.
Practice and utilize the tools in this Dementia-Aware Guide to Caregiving so you may enjoy more positive and loving care outcomes. I want to take this opportunity to remind you that you are doing a great job! Keep up the good work! You make a difference!


By becoming increasingly dementia-aware you will experience more meaningful moments with your loved one and feel more confident and empowered in your individual care role. In the course of this journey you will develop a deeper understanding of the impact dementia has on individuals, their families, organizations, neighborhoods, and the world.


Content:
1 Introduction: Navigating the Journey
2 Peggy: The Ultimate Toll
3 Deborah: A Daughter’s Journey
4 Charles: There Is Nothing Wrong with Me
5 Frances: What Is Dementia?
6 Jill: Into the Dementia Wonderland
7 Natalie: Much More than Words
8 Vada: Past, Present, and Future
9 Joe: Communicating the Gift of Value
10 Lucy and Betty: Thinking Outside the Box
11 Edna: You’re Just Imagining Things
12 Margie: If You Keep Doing What You Are Doing . . .
13 Harry: It’s Bath Night!
14 Susan: Dealing with Disruption
15 Grace: Moving beyond Guilt
16 Virginia: Laughter Is Therapeutic
17 Beatrice and Henry: The Power of Gratitude
18 Sean: The Puzzling Pieces of Grief
19 Lessons, Perceptions, and Approaches: A Reader’s Guide
The Dementia-Aware Guide to Caregiving