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 "ambiguous loss" - 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.
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction xv
1 The Ambiguous Loss of Dementia: How
Absence and Presence Coexist 1
2 The Complications of Both Loss
and Grief 21
3 Stress, Coping, and Resiliency 37
4 The Myth of Closure 55
5 The Psychological Family 71
6 Family Rituals, Celebrations, and
Gatherings 91
7 Seven Guidelines for the Journey 109
8 Delicious Ambiguity 137
9 The Good-Enough Relationship 155
Conclusion 167
A Note to Caregivers About Working
with Health Care Professionals 173
Resources 181
Notes 187
About the Author 215
Index 217
