The Best Friends Staff: Learning to Deliver Exceptional Dementia Care

by Virginia Bell, David Troxel, Tonya Cox

Overview

As the demand keeps growing for well-trained staff to provide high-quality memory care, those experienced in the Best Friends approach to dementia care have the required skills and confidence to deliver optimal care and succeed in this challenging caregiving role.

With this book, memory care programs can develop a “dementia capable” staff in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, dedicated memory care, adult day settings, and anywhere people with dementia are served. It features engaging training ideas and exercises for use in stand-up meetings, full in-services, and orientation programs. The acclaimed authors provide practical guidance for helping staff achieve better outcomes and more rewarding experiences, which helps programs retain an effective, satisfied staff. Filled with examples from care communities that are successfully practicing this life-affirming approach to care, The Best Friends Staff provides inspiration and working tools to transform a care culture.

WHAT’S NEW: All the contents are updated and revised for the needs of today’s practitioners, including:
All-new, chapter-by-chapter Tool Kits containing learning activities, downloadable handouts, and programming advice
A “Field Notes” section featuring advice from experienced Best Friends practitioners
Revised stories and examples reflecting contemporary settings and issues
Increased focus on staff recruitment, development, and retention

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781938870965
Publisher:	Health Professions Press
Publication date:	09/30/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	356
File size:	5 MB
Age Range:	16 - 18 Years

About the Author

Virginia Bell, M.S.W., was one of the most influential thought leaders in the field of dementia care over the last four decades, who continued improving the lives of people and their caregivers right up to the time of her passing in 2023. Her Best Friends model of dementia care transforms attitudes in care institutions and among families about the disease. She lectured widely on Alzheimer’s disease at national and international conferences, speaking at the National Education Conferences of the Alzheimer’s Association and lecturing at the conferences of Alzheimer’s Disease International.

David Troxel, M.P.H., is nationally and internationally known for his expertise in the fields of dementia and long-term care. He has co-authored (with Virginia Bell) six influential books, including this newest book, and written numerous articles relating to dementia care and staff development and training. He is a writer, trainer, and long-term care consultant who has spoken at over 500 conferences including keynote presentations at various U.S., Canadian, and international conferences.

Tonya Cox, M.S.W., L.N.H.A., currently ensures that training and implementation of Best Friends practices are maintained across all care settings for the regional Kentucky-based operator Christian Care Communities in her role as Vice President of Operations. Tonya presents locally and nationally on activity programming and dementia care and is a co-author on three of the Best Friends books. She has served as co-chair of the Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Advisory Council and is a practicum supervisor for both the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work.