Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...
 Contented Demetia November 17, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am a Manager for a domicillary care agency in Thurrock we have a lot of Service Users in the community with dementia, whom i feel would benefit from care staff having the insight from this book, which in turn would benefit the Service Users as in "Contented Dementia".
Well what can I say I couldn't put this book down, what a book.......very informative, educational, what a learning process.The "who you are about to meet" letter what an insight: I am thinking of putting one of these (with Service Users consent) in their homes.
The Photograph Album was the best way to describe someone one with dementia, what an insight, very thoughtful and kind, all staff will relate to this i am sure. We can also use this in inducting new staff to the care profession, as with the stories. Understanding the reason for a person's behaviour may not enable us to change it, but it might enable staff to cope in any given situation more appropriately. Staff who understand a person's behaviour and communicate with them more effectively can reduce their frustration, contributing to a more positive experience for all,it certainly opened my eyes. I am sure there is plenty more we can use and I am reading the next part this weekend.
Thankyou very much for this;
Regards Pauline Steel TLC Care Services in Thurrock
Contented dementia - Specal Sense November 16, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
On reading this book both my sister and I experienced a sense of calm. Someone finally understood our experience and offered a positive solution, not in the sense of a cure but in that we could alter our behaviour and reactions in a way that would positively assist our mother and ultimately ourselves. It is hard to love repetition and to desist interrupting, correcting and prompting memory recall. Harder still not to ask questions; how are you, what would you like, have you eaten etc.... and to pass this new found knowledge to mum's carers (all of whom have been totally open minded and brilliant). Standard responses may seem patronising to some but totally reassure our Mum. The hard part was establishing these "safe" responses but luckily this book led us to the delightful Penny Garner and her Burford Centre of Excellence where we attended her "photo album" workshop and learnt how to put our egos on the back burner and these principals into practise. It's early days but "Specal Sense" makes "perfect sense" to us.
Coping Strategies Help Carers Get Some Relief November 9, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I saw an article on this book and sent it to a relative who went out and bought the book--his view is that it has made his life so much easier and the person he is caring for is so much happier and less stressed. He brought it to me when I was doing some respite care for him, and I found it enormously useful. Although some of what it recommends is what I was doing from trial and error, and although it cannot halt deterioration(and clearly states this), the practical tips make caring for a sufferer so much easier. Previously I found it a bit stressful to provide the respite care-- this time, with a new perspective and structure, I actually enjoyed the experience and found a new & closer relationship with the person who had dementia. We both had a good time thanks to the book.
 one size can't fit all October 5, 2008
9 out of 11 found this review helpful
The claims made for this book are far too wide and the best bits of the approach are not new. For instance it is now widely known that you should not argue with someone with dementia who has become lost in time and space, but "go with the flow". (Reorientation only works in the early stages, and with great respect and tact). This approach will not work in later stages, as seen in the documentary Malcolm and Barbara. This approach will not prevent people who survive eventually having severe brain damage with little ability to respond. By all means let's throw away the stressful attempts to drag someone into our world. And let's know the person well so that we can communicate for as long as possible. But I am sad that the expectations aroused by this book are liable to disappointment. Of course people bying this book are probably desperate for something that they think is going to be a magic wand. I wish it were true. I have personal experience of looking after people with dementia. There is a positive side to care, but this book is not enough: you can't just impose a solution.
 Very Helpful September 26, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I found this short book very helpful and provided me with some tools that extended the work I was already doing with my Mum who suffers from the early stages of dementia. It doesn't provide all the answers and how could it but I would recommend it as part of a wider discovery around the issue.
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