Navigating the Alzheimer's Journey A Compass for Caregiving By Carol Bowlby Sifton, B.Sc.OT, O.D.H.

About the Author
Introduction

1. Care for the Caregiver
   
   Caregiving is Challenging
   The Essential Job of Caring for Yourself
   Caring for Yourself within the Caregiving Relationship
   Caring for Yourself by Growing
   
   
2. Living in the Moment
   
   Moments of Terror and Moments to be Treasured
   Caregiving Takes Place within a Relationship
   Finding a Balance
   Thoughts on Living in the Moment with the Person with Dementia
   Ways for Caregivers to Enter the World of Someone with Dementia
   
   
3. Basic Information on Dementia
   
   Overview of Dementia
   Making a Diagnosis
   The Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias
   The Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease
   How Common Are Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias?
   Is There a Cure for Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Types of Dementia?
   Treatment from the Caregiver
   
   
4. Communicating with Someone Who Has Dementia
   
   Lessons on Listening:  The Art of Communication
   Nonverbal Communication
   Guidelines for Enhancing Spoken Communication with Persons with Dementia
   Enhancing Communication During visits
   Telephone Use
   
   
5. Creating a Supportive Environment
   
   Searching for Home
   Environmental Guidelines for Persons with Dementia
   Adaptations for Age-Related Changes
   
   
6. Maintaining a Familiar Lifestyle
   
   Understanding the Meaning of “Doing”
   Person-Centered Care
   Capturing the Simple Pleasures
   Involvement in Familiar Lifestyle Activities
   Barriers to Participation
   Ways to Encourage Participation
   Hands to Health:  How to Help with Doing
   Stimulating the Senses
   Using Reminiscence on a Daily Basis
   
   
7. Success with Daily Life Activities
   
   Personal Care Activities
   Life Care Activities
   
   
8. Using Leisure Activities for the Person’s “Re-Creation”
   
   General Activity Characteristics
   Specific Activity Categories
   
   
9. Understanding, Preventing, and Responding to Behavioral Symptoms
   
   The Basics on Challenging Behavioral Symptoms
   Preventing Challenges
   Getting Unstuck:  Creative Problem Solving
   Addressing Specific Behavioral Symptoms
   
   
10. Care Planning
    
    Learning About Dementia
    Taking Care of People
    Taking Care of Practical Matters
    
    

References
Permissions
Appendix A: All About Me
Appendix B: Resources