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Contented Dementia: 24-hour Wraparound Care for Lifelong Well-being [Paperback]

Oliver James (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (155 customer reviews)
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Book Description

Publication Date: 6 Aug 2009 | ISBN-10: 0091901812 | ISBN-13: 978-0091901813 | Edition: Reprint

Dementia is a little understood and currently incurable illness, but much can be done to maximise the quality of life for people with the condition. Contented Dementia - by clinical psychologist and bestselling author Oliver James - outlines a groundbreaking and practical method for managing dementia that will allow both sufferer and carer to maintain the highest possible quality of life, throughout every stage of the illness.

A person with dementia will experience random and increasingly frequent memory blanks relating to recent events. Feelings, however, remain intact, as do memories of past events and both can be used in a special way to substitute for more recent information that has been lost. The SPECAL method (Specialized Early Care for Alzheimer's) outlined in this book works by creating links between past memories and the routine activities of daily life in the present.

Drawing on real-life examples and user-friendly tried-and-tested methods, Contented Dementia provides essential information and guidance for carers, relatives and professionals.

Frequently Bought Together

Contented Dementia: 24-hour Wraparound Care for Lifelong Well-being + Keeping Mum: Caring for Someone with Dementia + Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias (Understanding) (Family Doctor Books)
Price For All Three: £19.41

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Product details

  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Vermilion; Reprint edition (6 Aug 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0091901812
  • ISBN-13: 978-0091901813
  • Product Dimensions: 13.5 x 2.2 x 21.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (155 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Oliver James
Oliver James

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Review

"an indispensable handbook for anyone coping with the effects of dementia and who wants to keep a sufferer as happy as is humanly possible" (Daily Express )

"a revolutionary new way of treating dementia brings amazing benefits for patients and carers alike" (Guardian )

"I found myself weeping ... An important book" (Sarah Stacey YOU magazine )

"Explains a revolutionary way to care for dementia patients ... tender techniques that can ease absent minds" (Telegraph )

"I bought it and can confirm that anyone who wants help in caring for the condition will find this excellent work a revelation" (Bel Mooney Mail on Sunday )

Review

'distinguished psychologist Oliver James [...] shows that dementia need not be a nightmare of frustration and embarrassment' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
79 of 79 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A must buy for all carers 2 Jan 2009
By Ms. D. Lynch
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been battling with my mum for five years. Then I got this book, nothing prepared me for the gentle but very necessary slap around the face when I read it. Wow, I had spent so much time arguing and thinking that I had to keep my mum in my idea of reality when logically now I see I needed to enter her frame of logic in order to keep her calm, happy and oh so much more fun to be around!! if you only buy one book to help you work out your care plan, buy this one, dont hesitate, just buy it, I have asked everyone I know to read this book, its fab, next stop to go on the accompanying course. If you would like to talk about dementia, email me!! we can moan together xx
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Valuable help 8 April 2009
By Rhona Morris
Format:Hardcover
If you know or live with someone with dementia, you will know how difficult life can be for both of you. I recently came across this insightful book offering advice and techniques devised by a lady called Penny Garner who, by observing her own mother's behaviour and working with patients at a community hospital, developed new skills to communicate with someone with dementia.

The aim of the book is to promote "lifelong well-being" not only for the sufferer but for the "carer" too who has to cope with typical dementia behaviour such as memory blanks and repetitive questioning. Being asked the same question over and over again in a matter of minutes can be devastating for all concerned as I've experienced first hand with my own 85 year old mother.

Penny Garner's son-in-law, Oliver James, has brought together various tried-and-tested techniques in this book. One I've found particularly useful is to identify the most frequent questions my Mum asks me. Then, instead of giving the same reply each time, the book suggests looking for a variety of answers and trying them out to find the one that receives the best reaction. What I like about this approach is that it keeps me focussed on the quality of my own responses and whilst it hasn't completely stopped me feeling frustrated at the constant repetition, it has helped me better understand my Mum's mental processes affected by dementia.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Good, readable advice 14 May 2009
By Fred
Format:Hardcover
The basic idea is that you should 'go with the flow' when dealing with dementia sufferers and not try to encourage or force them to behave more normally. Repeated questioning, for example, although tempting as a way to get the sufferer to exercise and test his or her memory, usually makes things worse. The book works well around this approach in a readable style and will be useful to anyone trying to cope with this problem.
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80 of 83 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars can transform some situations 11 Aug 2009
By Toni
Format:Paperback
Practical, helpful, sensitive, comforting, illuminating, brilliant, constructive - yes, it is all that, and more. Don't take (too much) notice of the negative reviewers as you really shouldn't miss this book. Infused with compassion and kindness (RARE qualities these days), the advice was developed by someone who clearly has a talent for non-confrontation and small talk, both of which it is wise to learn early on in your loved one's journey of confusion. Whether it is called dementia, alzheimer, memory loss, forgetfulness doesn't matter to those of us who are in pain watching our loved one deteriorate and struggle with their new and unfamiliar circumstances, and who want to find ways to make it hurt less - for them as well as ourselves.

This refreshingly positive book immediately takes away a lot of the suffering, and the judgments, for both "sides", at least in the earlier stages. We cannot (yet) speak about later stages but we feel SO different about the situation after reading this book - we've now read a great deal about memory matters and can vouch for the fact that no "expert" in clinical practice has made anything like the kinds of loving and caring PRACTICAL suggestions and procedures spelled out in this book, which we started putting into practice immediately. So what if it seems like "infantilising" the sufferer, who in our experience certainly did not feel we were doing this but who immediately brightened up and was much happier with our new approach.

Unfortunately, there are some situations even this book cannot help us with - how do you deal with an elderly person who is very upset - every single evening - because mother (dead 50 years) is late for supper and who won't accept any of the excuses you dream up?... Read more ›
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35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Sanity Saver 7 Jun 2009
By Miss M. L. English VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
I pray that someone looks after me in my dotage with the same amount of care and personal attention that this 'therapeutic intervention' suggests.I read this book over 2 days. I didn't want to put it down until I'd got to the end.It is NOT a 'one-size fits all'. Oliver stresses in every chapter how making the approach of losing one's memory individual to the person is key. You are asked to observe and really know your 'client' so that the help you are offering is understood and trusted. Unless you have ever lost your memory (and I have) you can never understand how questions cause anguish. How can you answer when you don't have means of accessing your memory to reply? Maybe the methods seem mad but when you're dealing with something to do with an ailing mind, the caring, detailed approach is tantamount and that's not mad it's incredibly sane.
This book revolves around an emotional, loving plan to make the safety of your 'client's' well-being achievable. I'm glad I read this book which arrived at just the right time for me. It's written by the son-in-law (Oliver) of a lady (Penny) who's mother (Dorothy) suffered dementia in her final days.
Dorothy was married to a GP who just couldn't get his head around the idea that his wife was not going to 'snap out' of her condition. By trial and error Penny developed a frame of mind and practical approach that would help her Mum cope with the handicap of being lost in the past. She uses the phrase 'experiencing the present through the past'. It's hard to sum-up someone's life's work in a few words but if you have any hesitation in buying this book, just imagine how glad you'll feel when you've got the holy grail of dementia in your hands and a workable solution to all your difficulties.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Try it
Having struggled for a while trying to make things better and seemingly making them worse all the time, i found this by chance. Read more
Published 6 days ago by JH
5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic book
I have a sister who is undergoing test for Dementia, this book will be invaluable if she is diagnosed with the condition. Thank you Oliver James.
Published 20 days ago by Andrew Stanton
4.0 out of 5 stars It opens a window.
Oliver explains clearly Penny's theories and how she trialled and put them in to practice. It really helps you see things through the eyes of the dementia sufferer as a starting... Read more
Published 24 days ago by Nell
3.0 out of 5 stars Text book
Not all people with dementia can be text book some aspects are similar but was not useful therefore not a book I would recommend
Published 26 days ago by Satisfied customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Dementia
A very well written book which has proved most helpful in the understanding of dementia. The author obviously knows his stuff.
Published 29 days ago by Beris Hudson
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - accessible ideas
The Manager of a residential home I was considering for my Mum recommended this book - even only 25% through it I had learned some valuable tips which I put into practice... Read more
Published 1 month ago by TinaB
4.0 out of 5 stars Glad I found it.
For anyone facing the prospect of elderly relatives losing their memory etc. this book would prove to be a boon
Published 1 month ago by H. R. Bennett
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the bible for alzheimers sufferers.*****
For over 10 years we have dealt with my Father then my Mother having alzheimers so we feel we are well qualified to comment. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Justthejob12
4.0 out of 5 stars CONTENTED DEMENTIA
My husband has dementia, and the book has given me a better insight into the problems he has. His dementia is not severe at the moment, so I have been selective in applying the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Scribe
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy read, helpful tips for dealing with dementia
Great first book for the lay person on Dementia. Easy read, offers tips in how to help as well as how to process what is going on with my loved one.
Published 2 months ago by Sarah Barry
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