Loving Someone Who Has Dementia

Research-based advice for people who care for someone with dementia Nearly half of U.S. citizens over the age of 85 are suffering from some kind of dementia and require care. Loving Someone Who Has Dementia is a new kind of caregiving book. It's not about the usual techniques, but about how to manage on-going stress and grief. The book is for caregivers, family members, friends, neighbors as well as educators and professionals anyone touched by the epidemic of dementia. Dr. Boss helps caregivers find hope in "e;ambiguous loss"e; having a loved one both here and not here, physically present but psychologically absent. Outlines seven guidelines to stay resilient while caring for someone who has dementia Discusses the meaning of relationships with individuals who are cognitively impaired and no longer as they used to be Offers approaches to understand and cope with the emotional strain of care-giving Boss's book builds on research and clinical experience, yet the material is presented as a conversation. She shows you a way to embrace rather than resist the ambiguity in your relationship with someone who has dementia.

Research-based advice for people who care for someone withdementiaNearly half of U.S. citizens over the age of 85 are sufferingfrom some kind of dementia and require care. Loving SomeoneWho Has Dementia is a new kind of caregiving book. It'snot about the usual techniques, but about how to manage on-goingstress and grief. The book is for caregivers, family membersfriends, neighbors as well as educators andprofessionals--anyone touched by the epidemic of dementia. Dr.Boss helps caregivers find hope in "ambiguous loss"--having aloved one both here and not here, physically present butpsychologically absent.* Outlines seven guidelines to stay resilient while caring forsomeone who has dementia* Discusses the meaning of relationships with individuals who arecognitively impaired and no longer as they used to be* Offers approaches to understand and cope with the emotionalstrain of care-givingBoss's book builds on research and clinical experience, yet thematerial is presented as a conversation. She shows you a way toembrace rather than resist the ambiguity in your relationship withsomeone who has dementia.

Preface ixAcknowledgments xiiiIntroduction xv1 The Ambiguous Loss of Dementia: HowAbsence and Presence Coexist 12 The Complications of Both Lossand Grief 213 Stress, Coping, and Resiliency 374 The Myth of Closure 555 The Psychological Family 716 Family Rituals, Celebrations, andGatherings 917 Seven Guidelines for the Journey 1098 Delicious Ambiguity 1379 The Good-Enough Relationship 155Conclusion 167A Note to Caregivers About Workingwith Health Care Professionals 173Resources 181Notes 187About the Author 215Index 217