Edmonds, N: Dementia Care Toolkit

Natali N. Edmonds, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified geropsychologist and founder of Dementia Careblazers, the leading online resource for family dementia caregivers. She has helped thousands of families worldwide better understand dementia and respond to its most challenging moments. Drawing on this work, her clinical expertise, and her own caregiving experience, she translates complex dementia principles into practical steps families can use immediately.

Preface xi
Introduction xv
PART I THE FOUNDATION: UNDERSTANDING DEMENTIA BEHAVIORS AND YOURSELF 1
1 Understanding Dementia 3
2 Why People with Dementia Display "Difficult" Behaviors 11
3 Why You Don't Actually Want to Feel Better All the Time (and What to Do Instead) 29
4 Your Ability to Change Feelings 35
5 Thoughts That Keep Us Stuck 43
6 How to Actually Feel Better 51
7 So What Does This Mean for Behaviors? 59
PART II THE STRATEGIES: FOCUSING ON THE PERSON WITH DEMENTIA 65
8 Your Dementia Behavior Toolkit 67
9 Success Strategies for Any Behavior 71
10 Proactive Strategies for Success 95
11 In-the-Moment Strategies 109
12 Communication Strategies: How to Speak in a Way That Works 127
13 Strategies for Adapting to Their Reality 141
14 Rethink Failure 155
PART III THE SUPPORT: FOCUSING ON THE CAREGIVER 159
15 Your Emotional Toolkit 161
16 Managing a Grief That Doesn't End 187
17 Things That Don't Make You a Bad Caregiver 191
18 Judgment Has No Place Here 195
19 Feelings No One Warned You About 199
Afterword 205
Acknowledgments 209
About the Author 211
Index 213