Care That Works: A Relationship Approach to Persons with Dementia [Paperback]

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Jitka M. Zgola is an international consultant and educator based in Canada. She is the author of Doing Things: A Guide to Programing Activities for Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, also available from Johns Hopkins.