People with early dementia face enormous challenges in coping with their condition, yet they typically receive no personalized education or support following the diagnosis. Counseling empowers them to understand and come to terms with the illness while also learning to manage and make healthy adaptations to it. With the rapid increase in people diagnosed with early memory impairment--and demand for better support services--this groundbreaking new guide gives you essential tools to become an integral partner in a process that helps people adjust to the many changes in their lives. Presenting an innovative new counseling framework designed around the unique problems and needs arising from dementia, Counseling People with Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease guides the counselor and client through the many emotional, practical, and lifestyle issues to be faced. In her new and easy-to-follow protocol, Robyn Yale--an internationally renowned expert on early-stage support groups--explores topics that include identity and self-esteem, resilience, relating to and educating others, stress management, and more. You will come away with an expanded repertoire of specialized skills and support roles--including coach, care planner, mediator, communications specialist, and problem solver--that will dramatically improve your ability to assist people with early dementia to - work through complex emotions - tap into useful coping mechanisms - focus on capabilities - adapt to practical circumstances in their day-to-day activities - retain maximum autonomy over lifestyle preferences - find new ways to move forward with their lives At the heart of this approach is the unique story behind each relationship forged between the person with dementia and the counselor. It is sure to spark inspiration and self-discovery--in yourself and in those with whom you work!

Step-by-step guidelines show how to facilitate and administer a support group for early-stage Alzheimer's patients, from selecting group participants to addressing administrative concerns. Includes role plays for practicing ways to handle difficult situations, advice on involving caregivers and family members, and numerous sample interview, screening, evaluation, and observation forms and contractual agreements. A review of the author's study on patient groups includes research questions, procedures, and results. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

An introductory chapter covers essential background information pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment and A D. It reviews the stages of AD in detail, including effects on the patient, the caregiver, and the role of the counselor. Subsequent chapters discuss assessing the caregiver and creating an intervention plan tailored to that individual's needs, including family and adhoc counseling, when appropriate. The final chapters offer practical advice for the counselor to offer when addressing the many issues surrounding caring for the AD patient. They also address aberrant behaviors, relationship-related issues, ways to seek support for the patient living at home, nursing home and other residential care information and finally end-of-life topics. Provides proven strategies to help caregivers deal with Alzheimer's Disease Drawing on lessons learned during 15 years of empirical clinical treatment intervention, this manual is an invaluable resource for health care providers who work with families caring for and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patient. Counseling the Alzheimer's Caregiver provides proven strategies to help caregivers deal with the enormous physical and emotional stress of caring for a loved one with AD and significantly improve the level of patient care. This resource outlines, in detail, the symptoms of AD at each stage and the roles of caregiver and counselor from the initial diagnosis to after the patient's death. It teaches health care providers how to create for caregivers individualized intervention plans that cover everything from managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of AD to maintaining their own well-being. The resource also provides information on formal support services for patients living at home, as well as guidance on making the decision to place the patient in a residential facility. More than 80 percent of AD patients receive care from family or other non-formal help

FIRST STEPS FOR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND CAREGIVERS.

Information on implementing early intervention programmes for people with Alzheimer's Disease

Into the Mist, When Someone You Love Has Alzheimers Disease answers the questions that come along with an Alzheimers diagnosis. As Alzheimers reaches epidemic proportion more and more families are searching for answers that will best equip them to meet their needs and those of the Alzheimers patient. What are the symptoms of the early stages of Alzheimers disease? When should someone stop driving? Why is my loved one becoming withdrawn and insecure? Are hallucinations an occurrence with Alzheimers disease? Does Medicare or Medicaid cover expenses? How do I cope with the stress of constant care giving? Is Alzheimers disease fatal? Many other topics are addressed by leading Aging experts, researchers and a Neuropsychologist. Along with factual information the reader will be told the stories of three families caring for a loved one from the earliest stages to the last stages. Their personal accounts put a human face on the challenges of Alzheimers care giving. Jack, Frank and Shirleys stories are told by their daughters and they illustrate the commonalities and the differences among Alzheimers patients and the way their families handle their most difficult challenges. The book began as a personal journal but grew into a comprehensive resource for Alzheimers caregivers as well as a compilation of information from researchers, psychologists, Aging experts and families coping with this devastating illness all over the world. As you walk into the mist of Alzheimers disease this book serves as a roadmap because of the life lessons of others who have traveled this road before you. Deborah Uetz wwww.intothemist.us

The Dementia Care Partner's Workbook includes a forward by world-renown dementia educator Teepa Snow, who said, "This resource offers what is so needed in dementia care: a combination of practical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual support for those who have to make the journey. This workbook provides individual family members with greater awareness, knowledge, and skill to improve life, relationships, and care throughout the disease process."