Thoughtful Dementia Care: Understanding the Dementia Experience

An easy-to-read and sensitive portrayal of the changing world of people with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease or other diseases, and those who care for them. Offers insights into emotional reactions and practical suggestions based on deep understanding of the way people with dementia view many situations. The author carefully explains the loss of various types of memory and other thinking processes. She describes how these losses affect the day to day life of people with dementia, their understanding of the world around them and their personal situations. The many portrayals of real life experiences clarify and deepen the explanations. Jennifer is a nurse who worked for many years as an educator and counsellor for people with dementia and their families, as well as others in caring roles. She addresses the emotional and grief issues in the contexts in which they arise for families living with dementia. This book is intentionally written in easily understood plain language. "Thoughtful Dementia Care" is an expansion of the free paper by the same author, "Understanding the Dementia Experience,” which has been widely distributed online since 2002 and received much praise over the years. Here are some of the comments that have been received: “This is one of the best things that I have read on the subject of Alzheimer’s.” “I’ve only gotten to page four and I’ve found the answers to half a dozen situations that have been driving me crazy.” “Most books are more high-level and don’t address the moment-to moment issues that can arise. Your article cuts to the emotional and practical core of things, and for that I am grateful.” “Great article. Going to make copies of it and give them to family and friends that keep saying to me, ‘But he seems OK to me.’ One of the best articles I have read.” “I printed a copy of this article because I believe it may be the best I have read to help those who are not impaired understand our experience. I am deeply grateful to Jennifer Ghent-Fuller for writing such a wonderful piece.”