Brain Blog Clinic

Review by Maribeth Gallagher for The Art of Dementia Care
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The Art of Dementia Care speaks not only to the mind, but to the heart and soul of its readers. It inspires and empowers caregivers by illuminating the limitless possibilities that truly exist when we choose the relationship model of care. Kuhn and Verity clearly illustrate how everyday challenges in caregiving can evolve into opportunities that celebrate residual abilities, and honor and uphold the dignity of persons with dementia. Through simple, practical and thoughtful examples, the Art of Dementia Care awakens its readers to the powerful realization “that you hold the key to the quality of someone else’s life”. Imagine a world where we all shared this conviction.

Review by Anna Sloan for The Art of Dementia Care
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My father was 88 with dememtia, and I cared for him at the end of his life. This book was a godsend. It was the first and best explanation of dementia I had when my world was filled with strange doctors, social workers, and nursing home staff. I bought copies for my mother and siblings. Reading and re-reading his book was like having a loving guide to explain how my father saw the world and his possibilities. I was able to relate to him in a far more rational and caring way than I would have without this book. This book helped me save my father’s death, so at the end Dad felt loved, understood, and not so alone.

Review by Daniel Kuhn for The Art of Dementia Care
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Kuhn and Verity emphasise that the book serves to introduce each worker as an artist; someone with creativity, patience and the skill to achieve positive results. They add that just like artists, the worker requires education, training and experience to produce rewarding results.

The book is easy to read. It is not cluttered with references, but provides a selection of references and resources at the back. The introduction serves to elevate the esteem of people who work in the field of dementia care. It underlines the uniqueness of the individual with dementia, and the importance each person makes to the everyday ives of those in their care. In six short chapters, the book illustrates in a simple yet powerful manner the need to focus on the existing strengths of people with dementia. Using reflective questions and case studies, the reader is guided through their attitudes, methods of communication and strategies to use when dealing with challenging behaviours.

It is a book of hope, with a strong message to follow intuitively what is right when interacting with a human being whose world is confusing and often frightening.

~ The above is excerpted from a review by Angela Kydd, Senior Lecturer in Gerontology, School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery, University of the West of Scotland, UK, that appeared in DEMENTIA: The international journal of social research and practice, May 2009.

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