Dementia support for family and friends

Description

Dementia Support for Family and Friends Contents Acknowledgements Introduction Part 1 - Living with Dementia 1. Becoming Familiar with Dementia What is dementia? Features of dementia Other considerations The extent of dementia What causes dementia? Can dementia be treated, cured or prevented? Dementia in seldom-heard groups Women and dementia A rights-based approach to dementia 2. Being a Family Member or Friend of a Person with Dementia Family, friends and becoming a ‘main carer’ The goals of supporting a person with dementia: quality of life and well-being for all The qualities needed to support a person with dementia Understanding the nature of dementia Independence versus assistance The impact of dementia on children The role of peer and professional support Family members and friends: looking after oneself and each other How this book can help 3. Someone Close to Me May Have Dementia: Assessment, Diagnosis and Types of Dementia Identifying dementia The first signs of dementia How people with dementia react to the onset of the condition Diagnosing dementia After the diagnosis Why is diagnosis important? Should the person with dementia be told the diagnosis? The main types of dementia Types of young-onset dementia Delirium – an additional note 4. Sources of Support for People with Dementia and their Families and Friends Professional health services Professional social care services Lay and peer support services Housing options Advice and signposting services Support services are there to help! Financial help and benefits Part 2 - Understanding Dementia as it Progresses 5. The Early Years of Dementia The characteristics of early dementia Empathy and early dementia Awareness and capacity in early dementia Maintaining relationships and keeping active in early dementia Planning for the future Compiling a life story Intimacy and sexuality Assistive technology Driving Where should a person with early dementia live? The case for improving support services during the early years of dementia 6. Managing Change as Dementia Progresses How dementia progresses The changing nature of relationships Communication and language as dementia progresses Listening and responding to a person with communication difficulties Giving a message to a person whose dementia has progressed Asking a person with dementia questions Guiding and instructing Maintaining independence as dementia progresses 7. Social and Leisure Activities as Dementia Progresses Going out Helping out Exercising Activities of daily living Sights and sounds Pastimes Summary: principles of promoting activity with people with dementia 8. The Challenges of Dementia Changes in behaviour Challenges to eating and drinking Challenges with using the toilet and managing continence Challenges due to sleep disturbances Challenges of hospital admission Challenges of vulnerability and abuse 9. Considering Residential Care for People with Dementia Perceptions of residential care What is residential care? The decision Choosing a care home Care home fees How to find out about care homes What should be expected of a care home? Visiting a care home: a checklist of what to look for Making the transition Staying involved Issues with residential care Conclusion: Care homes are places to live! 10. When Dementia Has Become Advanced The characteristics of advanced dementia Well-being and ill-being in advanced dementia Relationships with a person with advanced dementia Communication in advanced dementia Activity and advanced dementia Namaste care Helping people with advanced dementia with activities of daily living Approaching the end of life 11. The End of Life What is meant by ‘end of life’? What causes death amongst people with dementia? Feelings of family members and friends as end of life approaches How would we want to die? Dementia and end of life care Supporting people who are dying A good death? Support after death Conclusion – Suffering from Dementia or Living with Dementia? Resources Index