Creating Moments of Joy for the Person With Alzheimer's or Dementia

One of the better author and books on the subject of any dementia or similar, such as Alzheimers! An absolute must read for not only professional care givers, but any and all caregivers, family members, friends, etc. If you want to understand how to react and give positive moments of joy, this is it!! This book will inform you how to react, talk and have peace in what you do with this issue. Have met this author and attended conferences where she has spoken! You cannot go wrong with this edition or any addition she puts out as time goes by for this subject covered!! Cannot recommend a more resourceful book, it is one of the best type books of any book on this subject by Jolene Brackey I've read! As an R.N. I feel most adament about this, with this particular book, absolutely!!!!

If you want to need to deal with a person who has dementia or alzheimer's, this is the most inspiring, uplifting book you can read on this subject. I have tried to read several, but they were too depressing. This book gives the reader a lot of ideas and specific instances of how to deflect worry and confusion. I have given this book to my family members and friends. I never dreamed I'd read a book about alzheimer's and be inspired! My favorite story was of the mother who wanted nothing more than to go to the beach and stick her feet in the sand one last time. The family took her on a major trip to the beach. On the way home, she said "all I want to do is stick my toes in the sand one more time." Instead of the family going nuts and saying WE WERE JUST THERE! They quietly said, 'we'll be there in about an hour'. In an hour, she had forgotten completely what she had wanted. Of course this only works if they don't remember! I can't say enough good things about this book. It will truly save your sanity!

Enjoyed this so much, I bought a copy for a sibling. Was great for understanding what our mother was dealing with (she was in her 80's when I bough this), and to see things through her eyes. Great ideas on how to not only communicate but to make visits enjoyable. Also brings a little peace about the disease. It is a horrible disease, but it makes you understand what the person is going through and how to handle it better, as many times you feel lost yourself, or at a loss, or hopeless in knowing what to do or how to handle a situation, and it helps to make your relationship with the person the most and best it can be during this very difficult time. A great read for sure!!!

This book was an excellent resource to me when my mother began her experience with several communication and cognitive challenges... expressive aphasia where her words wouldn't come from her mouth and a level of dementia. This book not only helps family and friends who are supporting people with cognitive issues but for me, it was a way to relate better with the elderly despite their conditions. The book helped me be more patient (instead of trying to finish sentences or relate that "I've heard that story before") and to reach my loved one where she was at the time- moving in to her world. The book is a great resource into how our responses are received by the loved one and how instead we can Create Moments of Joy for where they are at. After moving my mom from one facility to another, a caregiver said how they had observed how patient and loving I was with my mom...I attribute it all to this book. You won't be disappointed- it explains the why, is funny and makes a heck of a lot of sense. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book and have given it as gifts a couple times already.

So many books about dementia focus on the clinical aspects of dementia or the challenges in being a caregiver. This one is refreshingly different because the emphasis is on giving your loved one the best day they can have today. The person many not remember for long what you did that made them happy, but the endorphins of that happiness will stay in their system for awhile and help them to feel good. At the same time, it explains in a very compassionate way, how the person with dementia experiences the world around them. It has helped me to show my mother better ways of taking care of Dad and understanding his actions. It has also helped me to find ways to give my Dad a few hours of fun at the same time that I brighten Mom's day. What I learned from this book proved invaluable, too, when it came time to find the right care facility for Dad to live.

Have only read the first couple of chapters, but this book has already given me more of an insight into how my mother thinks and copes with life on a daily basis. It has helped me understand why she says and does things in a certain way, and how to create a better life for her by "going with the flow" and not worrying if she does or says things wrong. If it doesn't cause her to worry or endanger herself, then just go with it. Can't wait to finish the book.

Loved it. A terrific book. Every Carer should read it. There is sensitivity, understanding, helpful observations and anecdotes.

Full of excellent advice very positive

this helped get inside the mind of the other person.many suggestions on what to say to the person with alzheimers.

For caretakers who are taking care of a loved one, this book is a must read. It has so much helpful information that will get you through the difficult journey of Alzheimers/Dementia. I highly recommend it.