Keeping Busy: A Handbook of Activities for Persons with Dementia

by James R. Dowling

Overview

Although very little can be done to alter the course of dementia, much can be done to maximize the quality of life of people with the condition. Research as well as practical experience suggest that behavior management, especially through programs that provide meaningful and constructive activity, is currently the most effective treatment.

In Keeping Busy, James Dowling describes a variety of activities designed to bring meaning and enjoyment to the lives of persons with dementia. The activities are organized by general categories such as music, exercise, horticulture, pets, humor, and social events. The largest section deals with communication and includes word games that help people strengthen their remaining verbal skills. The description of each activity includes step-by-step instructions, as well as tips on how to adapt it for small or large groups, for individuals at home or in an organization, or people who are bedridden.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801895975
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	05/01/1995
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	200
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

James R. Dowling is an activity specialist at Center in Gardiner, Maine, a model residential facility that has pioneered social and the Alzheimer's Care cognitive interventions in the day-to-day treatment of individuals with Alzheimer disease and related conditions. He frequently speaks and conducts workshops on behavior management of persons with dementia.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Acknowledgments
Prologue
Introduction
Chapter 1. Key Ideas
Chapter 2. Humor
Chapter 3. Words and Word Games
Chapter 4. Table and Social Activities
Chapter 5. Exercise
Chapter 6. Music
Chapter 7. Art
Chapter 8. Television and Videotapes
Chapter 9. Cooking
Chapter 10. Gardening
Chapter 11. Pets
Chapter 12. Spirituality
Appendixes
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

Nancy Mace

James Dowling's important goal in Keeping Busy is to provide hands-on information for truly therapeutic activities for persons with dementia. He has succeeded brilliantly and made a substantial contribution to the field. Dowling describes a series of activities designed to reduce problem behaviors and give meaning to life. They do not require expensive gadgets, elaborate preparation, or special training. Here is a sound theory, genuine compassion for impaired people, and a wonderful sense of the joy of life.

— Nancy Mace, author of The 36-Hour Day

From the Publisher

James Dowling's important goal in Keeping Busy is to provide hands-on information for truly therapeutic activities for persons with dementia. He has succeeded brilliantly and made a substantial contribution to the field. Dowling describes a series of activities designed to reduce problem behaviors and give meaning to life. They do not require expensive gadgets, elaborate preparation, or special training. Here is a sound theory, genuine compassion for impaired people, and a wonderful sense of the joy of life.
—Nancy Mace, author of The 36-Hour Day

Editorial Reviews

The principle of encouraging people suffering from dementia to engage in empowering and normalizing activity has long been established, and here is a set of suggestions for specific activities and how to implement them, drawn from experiences at the Alzheimer's Care Center in Gardiner, Maine. They include word games, music, art, cooking, gardening, pets, and spirituality. Paper edition (unseen), $12.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

While little can be done for the disease of dementia itself, much can be done to help direct the quality of life of the persons with the disease, and Keeping Busy succeeds in providing ideas for improving the quality of life for the Alzheimer patient.
—American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease

Provides detailed information about programming activities and developing an atmosphere that is responsive to patients with dementia. Topics include exercise, horticulture, communication, pets, humor, social events, and music. Each description include the rationale for the activity and some of the trial and error involved in developing the activity. Colorful anecdotes enliven the text and illustrate both successes and limitations.
—Connections from the Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center

A practical, compassionate book that offers a variety of activities for people with dementia that can help improve their quality of life . . . The books closes with an appendix of 'good catalogs' that offer resources for caregivers of people with cognitive impairments or dementia.
—OT Week

From the Publisher

Provides detailed information about programming activities and developing an atmosphere that is responsive to patients with dementia. Topics include exercise, horticulture, communication, pets, humor, social events, and music. Each description include the rationale for the activity and some of the trial and error involved in developing the activity. Colorful anecdotes enliven the text and illustrate both successes and limitations.

Connections from the Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center

A practical, compassionate book that offers a variety of activities for people with dementia that can help improve their quality of life . . . The books closes with an appendix of 'good catalogs' that offer resources for caregivers of people with cognitive impairments or dementia.

OT Week

While little can be done for the disease of dementia itself, much can be done to help direct the quality of life of the persons with the disease, and Keeping Busy succeeds in providing ideas for improving the quality of life for the Alzheimer patient.

American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease