I ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND OTHER DEMENTIA
1 What’s Happening? The Experience of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia
Learn about common emotions and experiences of persons with dementia and why the Best Friends approach so successfully addresses them.
2 What Is Known? Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research
Find answers to key questions about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia.
3 What Now? Steps to Take After a Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementia
Begin mapping out your next steps and the best ways to tackle them after a diagnosis of an irreversible dementia has been made.
4 A New Start: The Art of Friendship
Discover how the elements of friendship provide a powerful new way to care for and relate to a person with dementia.
5 Memory Making: Honoring a Person’s Life Story
Collect the critical ingredients for creating a loving and constructive picture of the history and interests of your loved one, and then learn how to use this information in your everyday interactions.
6 The “Knack”: Basic Principles of Dementia Care
Discover the Elements of Knack—the skills that pave the way for successful caregiving—and see how to use them to handle common situations and problems that arise.
III THE BEST FRIENDS APPROACH IN ACTION
7 Connecting: Communicating with “Knack”
Use the Best Friends philosophy of communication to develop effective new tools for interacting with your loved one in everyday situations.
8 Being Together: Managing and Valuing Activities
Improve the quality of shared moments by making sure activities are meeting the needs of the person with dementia.
9 Inner Passage: Spiritual Journeying and Religion
Explore the possibilities for providing experiences that nurture the spirit throughout the course of the disease.
10 Finding Help: Navigating the Journey
Understand that you aren’t expected to do it all, and learn about the range of services you can access to support your caregiving efforts.
11 Self-Care: Being Your Own Best Friend
Make sure you are taking care of yourself and replenishing your own reserves, even while caring for another.
See, finally, that it is possible to transform the many challenges of dementia into rewarding experiences and that the person can live a dignified life.