Care That Works: A Relationship Approach to Persons with Dementia

by Jitka M. Zgola

Overview

In her widely acclaimed Doing Things, Jitka M. Zgola offered practical and much-needed advice for those caring for persons with Alzheimer disease. Now, in Care That Works, Zgola shows how caregivers can better meet the demanding challenges of their job by building and improving their personal relationships with those in their care. Instead of simply prescribing approaches, Care That Works gives caregivers the information with which they can develop their own approaches, evaluate their effectiveness, and continue to grow in skill and insight.

Zgola explains that optimal dementia care involves three elements: a good relationship between the caregiver and the person who has dementia, a safe and nurturing environment, and meaningful activities. Evident throughout the book is Zgola's gift for compassionately portraying the difficulties faced by people with dementia and then suggesting ways to act in a manner that accords such people the respect and dignity they deserve. Topics that receive special attention include communicating with persons who have language deficits and coping with problem behaviors—two critical problems in dementia care.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801860263
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	04/23/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.62(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Jitka M. Zgola is an international consultant and educator based in Canada.

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Relationships
Chapter 2. Dementia: Definition and Consequences
Chapter 3. Getting the Facts: History and Personal Information
Chapter 4. Ongoing Appraisal of the Person's Cognitive Abilities
Chapter 5. Functional Assessment
Chapter 6. Preventing Challenging Behavior
Chapter 7. Using Well That Which Remains: But I thought You Said He Can't Remember?
Chapter 8. Responding to Problematic Behavior: A Process
Chapter 9. Communication: The Heart of Relationships
Chapter 10. Alzheimer's Disease and the Home: Issues in Environmental Design
Chapter 11. Programming Activities
Chapter 12. Why Groups?
Chapter 13. When is Breakfast? Any Time You Want It
Chapter 14. I Have Him Dressed – What Now?: Organizing A Day At Home With A Cognitively Impaired Person
Chapter 15. Visiting Well
Chapter 16. Some Lessons That Come From Caring
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

This guide shows how to establish a positive environment for Alzheimer's patients by providing social interaction and productive activity, with an emphasis on treating patients with empathy, courtesy, and dignity.

Health Progress

Jitka Zgola uses many examples of real life situations to enhance the book, and those examples are amusing and touching, adding a very personal dimension.

Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy

The text is as a guide for caregivers of persons with irreversible dementia. The interventions are derived from the perspective of a professional care provider with a focus on interpersonal relationships, environments, and activities. The purpose is to assist care providers in the implementation of appropriate, person-centered interventions. Building on an overview of dementia, the editor examines the design of interventions based in each person's level of functioning, history, and preservation of integrity. The text is intended to be used by both lay (family) and professional caregivers. It is written to be utilized in the home, community, and institutional settings. Beginning with a nontechnical overview of the effects of irreversible dementia, the editor builds on this basic understanding in describing appropriate interventions for common care issues. Specific suggestions are made for developing programmed activities. The editor also addresses the importance of visiting and possible structures for a visit. There is a lack of recent research findings (most references are from 1980-1986) from well-known scientists in the field. The strengths lie in the focus on understanding care issues from the perspective of the care recipient, a component missing from other texts in which care management for persons with dementia is addressed. The editor utilizes professional case studies and personal insights into behaviors of persons with dementia to support proposed interventions and assist caregivers in developing insight onto the effects of the disease on the person. As this type of insight is often lacking and can facilitate humane and effective care, the text can be a valuableresource. Some limitations include the use of outdated references, figures that do not add to understanding or are oversimplified, the interchanging of ""he"" and ""she"" throughout, discontinuity in content within a paragraph or section, and difficult sentence working (the last sentence in the first paragraph on page 25 is one example). By addressing limitations, the editor has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the field.

Sandra C. Burgener

The author of (same publisher, date unspecified) shares practical, caring advice for dealing with challenging behaviors from years of experience in occupational therapy: preventing and responding to such, appraising and using well what abilities remain, effective communication, home design and care issues, group support, and visiting well (including deciding not to visit). Earlier versions of three chapters were presented elsewhere. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Jitka Zgola uses many examples of real life situations to enhance the book, and those examples are amusing and touching, adding a very personal dimension.
—Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy

Jitka Zgola balances hard knowledge, outstanding research, and years of experience with writing that reflects great warmth and understanding. I find it impossible to read her books without a highlighter in hand.
—Alzheimer's Care Quarterly

Zgola outlines a tolerant and imaginative approach which deserves a wide readership. Her tea group for severely demented residents has elements of genius.
—Age and Ageing

A valuable resource for professionals, paraprofessionals, and family members working with Alzheimer's disease patients.
—Educational Gerontology

This guide shows how to establish a positive environment for Alzheimer's patients by providing social interaction and productive activity, with an emphasis on treating patients with empathy, courtesy, and dignity.
—Health Progress

From the Publisher

Jitka Zgola balances hard knowledge, outstanding research, and years of experience with writing that reflects great warmth and understanding. I find it impossible to read her books without a highlighter in hand.

Alzheimer's Care Quarterly

A valuable resource for professionals, paraprofessionals, and family members working with Alzheimer's disease patients.

Educational Gerontology

Zgola outlines a tolerant and imaginative approach which deserves a wide readership. Her tea group for severely demented residents has elements of genius.

Age and Ageing