Learning To Speak Alzheimers: The new approach to living positively with Alzheimers Disease - Softcover

Koenig Coste, Joanne

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0091886724 ISBN 13: 9780091886721

Publisher: Vermilion, 2003

Synopsis

Few conditions upon first diagnosis strike such terror into victims and relatives as Alzheimer's disease. The dementia that is its best-known symptom can provoke feelings of helplessness and despair, coupled with fear that the patient will inevitably suffer loss of dignity and self-respect. There is hope, however, and Joanne Koenig-Coste is well qualified to say so. For over thirty years she has advocated and practised a communication-based form of care. Now she has distilled her experience into this encouraging and supportive book showing how, by following a few straightforward and simple ideas, the quality of life of sufferers can be dramatically improved, and their dignity and self-respect renewed. Habilitation capitalizes on the remaining emotions and skills of the patient and offers chances to feel successful by reaching past the recognized losses, ignoring the failures, and rejoicing in whatever still defines the essential humanity of the sufferer. Perhaps as importantly, it also suggests ways that the carers can care for themselves too. Learning to Speak Alzheimer's is a practical guide to coping with a cruel disease. It offers a wealth of information, understanding and advice, but above all it offers a message of hope based on respect, common sense and quiet dignity.

About this title

Book Description:

A pioneering guide to 'habilitation' - a new kind of care that significantly improves the lives of Alzheimer's patients and their carers

Synopsis:

Few conditions upon first diagnosis strike such terror into victims and relatives as Alzheimer's disease. The dementia that is its best-known symptom can provoke feelings of helplessness and despair, coupled with fear that the patient will inevitably suffer loss of dignity and self-respect. For over 30 years, the author has practised a communication-based form of care. She shows how, by following a few straightforward and simple ideas, the quality of life for Alzheimer's sufferers can be dramatically improved, and their dignity and self-respect renewed. Habilitation capitalizes on the remaining emotions and skills of the patient and offers chances to feel successful by reaching past the recognized losses, ignoring the failures and rejoicing in whatever still defines the essential humanity of the sufferer. Perhaps as importantly, it also suggests ways that the carers can care for themselves. This text provides a practical guide to coping with a cruel disease. It offers information, understanding and advice, but above all it offers a message of hope based on respect, common sense and quiet dignity.

About this edition

• Publisher: Vermilion
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0091886724
• ISBN 13: 9780091886721
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256