Dementia Behaviors

2008 AJN Book of the Year Winner! Like its popular predecessor, the new edition of Bathing Without a Battle presents an individualized, problem-solving approach to bathing and personal care of individuals with dementia. On the basis of extensive original research and clinical experience, the editors have developed strategies and techniques that work in both institution and home settings. Their approach is also appropriate for caregiving activities other than bathing, such as morning and evening care, and for frail elders not suffering from dementia. For this second edition, the authors have included historical material on bathing and substantially updated the section on special concerns, including: Pain Skin care Determining the appropriate level of assistance Transfers The environment An enhanced final section addresses ways to support caregivers by increasing their understanding of the care recipient's needs and their knowledge of interventions to improve care and comfort. It also emphasizes self-care and system-level changes to promote person-directed care. Several chapters include specific insights and wisdom from direct caregivers.

[Content] All about the authors; Introduction; Talking with your relative; Becoming a detective: problem solving; The 4 A's: anxiety, anxiety, anger, and aggression; Why won't she take a bath; Taking the stress out of dressing; Eating; Mouth care; When you gotta go: helping a relative in the bathroom; Over and over again: repetitive behaviors; There's no place like home: when your relative wants to go home; Walking, pacing, wandering, or exercising; When you don't see things the same way: paranoia, delusions and hallucinations; And hours to go before we sleep: sleep and sundowning; Physical intimacy and sexual behavior; Glossary; Resources.

Based on the philosophy that the challenging behaviors often exhibited by dementia or Alzheimer's patients can mostly be attributed to efforts to satisfy basic needs in a bewildering environment, 15 articles explain preventive measures, intervention strategies, and staff training methods developed to manage those behaviors in long-term care facilities and dementia-specific care units. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The book provides readers with evidence-based, pragmatic, and clear recommendations regarding the care of patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

Stories of patients, caregivers and spouses offer insights and examples to others dealing with the often confusing sexual behavior of people with dementia. (Mental Health)

As we move through life many of us find ourselves needing to help a family member or friend with a medical condition. If the condition is temporary, our need to help is temporary. However, chronic conditions such as Alzheimer's and other dementias require longer-term, possibly ever-increasing assistance. Problems with thinking and memory lead to new, different, and often challenging behaviors. In addition, caring for someone with Alzheimer's often means helping them deal with other medical problems that are often difficult to recognize. This book is a resource for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's or dementia who are also beginning to experience non-memory-related medical conditions. It addresses 54 medical conditions that caregivers often must deal with when providing care. Each medical condition is addressed in an easy-to-follow, two-page guide that provides basic facts about the medical condition, signs that indicate a possible emergency, tips on providing relief in the home, other related issues to watch out for, and safety tips for the caregiver. Written by experts at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University, this book is based on the latest clinical knowledge and scientific research on Alzheimer's and the care of Alzheimer's and dementia patients. It includes basic facts about Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and practical guidance when conferring with doctors and nurses, when visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted-living residences, and during the dying process. Also, an entire chapter is devoted to what caregivers need to do to take care of themselves while helping someone with Alzheimer's and related dementia. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial}