Understanding Difficult Behaviors: Some Practical Suggestions for Coping With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Illnesses [Paperback]

Anne Robinson (Author), Beth Spencer (Author), Laurie White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1991 | ISBN-10: 9991249508 | ISBN-13: 978-9991249506

This book was written for caregivers of persons with dementia. Caregivers may include family members as well as staff working in nursing homes, assisted living programs, adult day center programs, home care agencies, hospitals, hospice care and other settings providing care to persons with dementia. This material is intended to help caregivers understand the many possible explanations for why challenging behaviors may occur. Practical coping strategies for responding to challenging situations such as agitation, wandering, incontinence and resistance to care are also offered. These suggestions have been compiled from a number of sources including conversations with famlies, Alzheimer's Association newsletters, books and journal articles. This book was first published in 1989 and has been a valuable resource for caregivers and dementia educators. Thousands of books have been sold nationally and internationally. The 2007 edition includes updated resource listings and color headings.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This text provides specific information on a wide range of behaviors. The detailed information on environmental, physical, and emotional influences is very beneficial to both family and professional caregivers striving to make improvements that may avoid difficult behaviors. These practical strategies for making changes based on possible causes and guidance to proglem-solve helps to avoid the behavior and address it when it occurs. I would highly recommend this book to any one caring for an individual with memory loss. --Kim Walsh, formerly with the Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

My stepfather used the suggestions in this book to help with the care of my mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He said it was the best resource he had seen. It was easy to use, providing lots of practical help in her care. --Jo Campbell, family caregiver. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Anne Robinson, MA is the founder and Director of Optimal Life Designs in Dementia Care, LLC, a non-profit organization specializing in training and research, based in a person- centered philosophy. She has created numerous innovative, strength-based programs designed to help individuals with memory loss to function optimally for as long as possible. Ms. Robinson is co-editor of Care of the Person with Dementia: A Training Manual: (with Beth Spencer). She is a popular speaker for professional and lay audiences and has presented regionally, nationally, and internationally. Beth Spencer, MA, MSW, is Director of Silver Club Programs at the Turner Geriatric Clinic, University of Michigan Health System. Silver Club Programs provide support, education, and a club model of day programming for people with memory loss and their families. She has specialized in work with individuals with dementia and their families in a variety of care settings. She is also co-author, with Laurie White, of Moving a Relative with Memory Loss: A Family Caregiver's Guide. Laurie White, MSW, started Dementia Care Consulting in Santa Rosa, California, after working with families and health care professionals in the field of dementia care for over 20 years. As owner of Dementia Care Consulting, Laurie offers care management services to famlies who care for a relative with dementia and consluting services to facilities providing care to residents wilth memory loss. As a frequently requested speaker at conferences, Laurie presents practical ready-to-use information to family caregivers and health care professionals. Laurie is co-author, with Beth Spencer, of Moving a Relative with Memory Loss: A Family Caregiver's Guide. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Eastern Michigan Univ (January 1991)
• ISBN-10: 9991249508
• ISBN-13: 978-9991249506
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,907,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading, April 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Understanding Difficult Behaviors: Some Practical Suggestions for Coping With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Illnesses (Paperback)

As a professional in the field of dementia health care, I feel this book should be "required reading" for all health care providers. It is an incredible, practical book written by the well known expert in the field of gerentology, Anne Robison-Kalter. Ms. Robinson-Kalter offers compassionate strategies for caretakers and families. It is easy to read and difficult to put down.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful book, January 25, 2009

By 

Jeanie Beanie "Books for Kids addict!!!" (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Understanding Difficult Behaviors:Some practical suggestions for coping with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses (Paperback)

This book is just great in giving ideas on how to handle dementia patients with different difficult behaviors. A little more depth into how to handle delusional ideas that some patients get would be very helpful.

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Book for Alzheimer's Caregivers, February 25, 2010

By 

Jim D. Kimzey (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Understanding difficult behaviors: Some practical suggestions for coping with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses (Series on Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses) (Paperback)

This book is widely used by professional caregivers providing dementia care in homes and nursing homes. It is a comprehensive and easy-to-use reference guide. We use this in the training of all of our caregivers at Tender Rose Home Care. However, you don't need to pay more than $18 for the book. Buy directly from the publisher at [...].