Inside Alzheimer's: How to Hear and Honor Connections with a Person who has Dementia [Paperback]

Nancy Pearce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2007

We have long underestimated the person who has dementia. Each one's ability to reach out in familiar ways certainly diminishes yet he or she is always able to experience the deep benefits that come from being in vital relationship with others. Inside Alzheimer's tells how dozens of persons with dementia and their sharing of wisdom, humor and life's teachings led Ms. Pearce to the six basic principles of connection--how one person connects with another: Intend a connection, Free yourself of judgment, Love, Open to receive love, Silence and Thankfulness. Internalizing these principles has empowered hundreds of family, friends, and professionals to create moments of connection with persons, regardless of how advanced the dementia.

Editorial Reviews

Review

One of the most devastating consequences of Alzheimer's diseases for patients and their caretakers is the inevitable loss of the ability to communicate and form connections. In her first book, Pearce--a medical social worker with more than 20 years of experience working in long-term healthcare and hospice settings--reminds readers that there is a person inside Alzheimer's and other dementias who needs to be heard, seen, valued, and appreciated. Writing for family members, friends, healthcare professionals, and those who want to form and maintain meaningful connections with dementia patients, Pearce teaches her six principles of connection: intend a connection, free yourself of judgment, love, be open to being loved, silence, and thankfulness. Each chapter includes stories and anecdotes about people with Alzheimer's and ends with a summary and exercises for "working it out." Including resources and filled with practical wisdom, this groundbreaking, transformational, and informative book is highly recommended for all public and academic libraries.--Elizabeth M. Wavle, Elmira Coll. Lib., NY --Library Journal --06/15/07

"Nancy Pearce makes being with persons with dementia seem natural as she helps each one continue to participate in life as fully as possible...This is a must read for all who work or spend time with persons with dementia." --Virginia Bell, MSW, coauthor of The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care

About the Author

Nancy Pearce, MS, LISW, is a medical social worker with over 20 years of experience in working in long-term healthcare and hospice settings. She received an MS in Education in 1972 from Syracuse University and a Master's in Social Work from the University of CT in 1988. In her practice, she integrates her education research foundations with understanding from both her work experience and studies in spiritual and religious wisdom traditions. Ms. Pearce specializes in working with persons who have dementia and teaches families, friends and professionals, both nationally and internationally, how to communicate and connect effectively with persons who have dementia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Forrason Press - APG; 1st edition (August 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978829905
• ISBN-13: 978-0978829902
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #555,364 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Personal Health > Stress > Mind-Body Connection

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read for Everyone Exposed to People with Dementia, February 10, 2008

By 

S. Supena "daughter of Alzheimer's parent" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Inside Alzheimer's: How to Hear and Honor Connections with a Person who has Dementia (Paperback)

Ms. Pearch touched my soul with her book. I stumbled onto it via Amazon. Once it arrived I quickly read through it. I started practicing the IF LOST concepts right away & can honestly say I have had better connections IMMEDIATELY with my mother. I've since purchased extra copies of the book for family members & have recommended it to several coworkers who are also dealing with ailing parents.
My mother was officially diagnosed 6 years ago - but we knew (she knew) something was going wrong much longer than that. She was 65 at the time. Since then I've read many books on this topic. Several have been helpful -but none have hit home as much as Inside Alzheimer's. Typically I have a hard time finishing books on this topic because the situation is so depressing. Right in the beginning of the book, Nancy recommends reading it at your own pace. She clearly knows the subject is a difficult one.

I highly recommend this book for ALL health-care personnel or family members of those with dementia. I will be handing out copies to all mom's caregivers, including her geriatric psychiatrist. I just gave a copy to my father & I know he'll have a much better understanding of how to reach mom once he finishes it.
Thank you to Ms. Pearce for taking the time to share her vast experiences with those of us going through this one by one. The caring & compassion she has demonstrated in her life will surely take her straight to heaven. No doubt an angel sent to guide those of us who are struggling to make a positive difference for our loved one's with this horrible disease!

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended as guideline, aid, comfort, and inspiration., August 7, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside Alzheimer's: How to Hear and Honor Connections with a Person who has Dementia (Paperback)

Written by medical social worker Nancy Pearce, Inside Alzheimer's: How to Hear and Honor Connections With A Person Who Has Dementia is an uplifting guide for anyone whose friends or loved ones suffer from various stages of dementia. Relationship and connection are still possible, and highly beneficial, with patients who are afflicted with dementia; Inside Alzheimer's covers the six basic principles of forming a dynamic: freeing oneself from judgment, love, openness to receive love, silence, and thankfulness. "I would much rather err on the side of assuming that the person with dementia can participate in his decisions about end-of-life care, rather than assuming he can't. It happens more than one would expect that during an open discussion, the person with dementia pops into a particular moment of clarity and clearly provides input." Highly recommended as guideline, aid, comfort, and inspiration.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, comforting and confidence inspiring, February 18, 2008

By 

Joannetta "joanne-ca" (Manitoba, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside Alzheimer's: How to Hear and Honor Connections with a Person who has Dementia (Paperback)

This book provides a very clear, comforting and confidence inspiring way for family and friends to spend time with a person with Alzheimer's. I really appreciated how the author was able to explain the meaning of the world to someone who has Alzheimer's so that I could spend all of my time responding from that context. This allows me to avoid responses that while normal and seemingly logical to me would make no sense to the person with Alzheimer's. The explanations and coaching language are very effective. It was easy for me to grasp and imagine the world of the person with Alzheimer's. By almost being able to walk in their "mocassins" I am able to focus entirely on learning how to get better at it - and therefore be a better friend and companion. Inside Alzheimer's: How to Hear and Honor Connections with a Person who has Dementia