Signpost Book Reviews  Vol  10.3  June 2006

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Reducing stress-related behaviours in people with dementia. Care-based therapy.

Author: Chris Bonner
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London 2005.
ISBN 1-84310-349-4
Price: £14.95
92 pages

This recently published book, of which the author is (unexpectedly) a Clinical Pharmacist, aims to provide simple and imaginative ways to prevent and reduce stress- related behaviours in people with dementia. It is primarily directed towards care staff in residential facilities - however, I felt that the content, advice and guidance could be easily transferable to other dementia care settings such as hospital wards and nursing homes.

It is a fairly short book – 92 pages in total - and contains seven chapters. Laid out in a clear and comprehensive way throughout it follows a logical sequence. Interspersed throughout are cartoon images relevant to each chapter. In addition, the author makes use of scenarios to be considered. This makes the reading easier and lightens up what is a serious and difficult domain within dementia care. For example, Chapter 3 - Addressing Stress - related responses, looks at tips on defusing acute verbal and physical episodes in a practical way, and lists examples of stressors which can lead to aggressive verbal or physical responses. As one would expect, the author has included behavioural analysis, in the easy to understand ABC format.

Presumably, any staff reading this book would already have a basic understanding of the different types of dementia and their presentations – this would facilitate the understanding of some terminology, particularly in Chapter 2 – Preventing / Minimizing Distress - where the author discusses establishing functional baselines and assessing medical status.

The author makes several references to the importance of knowing the resident, which is imperative when attempting to assess behaviours and indeed to provide effective care. He also emphasises the importance of person-centred care. I particularly liked the passage: - "Carers should see themselves as caring for a person rather than responding to a disease".

The overall theme focuses on lowered stress thresholds in Alzheimer’s Disease and how appropriate care practices can dramatically reduce the reliance on psychotropic medication. The author makes it clear at the start that some of the suggested initiatives are validated whilst some are no more than helpful suggestions.

The final short chapter highlights the importance of teamwork and the positive impact that training and education in such care settings can have of both staff and residents.

On the whole I found this book to be both clear and accessible in terms of readability. It is a book that I believe would be a useful resource to care staff in a variety of settings. The beauty of it is that it is short, inexpensive, easy to read and understand - a book which care staff can perhaps dip into, without taking them away from their caring role too much.

Karyn Davies. Residential Home Advisor.
Bro Morgannwg Trust

Author: Ross Mitchell, DSDC Stirling
Publishers: DSDC Stirling
ISBN: 1 85769 185 7

Captured memories is the third in a series of publications devoted to photography and the contribution the art form can make to the lives of people with dementia. The project mentioned in this book was based at Town Break, a drop-in centre. It offers an informal day out for people to meet others and enjoy different activities. The Centre is run by volunteers, many of whom are carers and past carers themselves.

The write decided that the way in which people with dementia could be involved in recording events of their lives could be through photography. This book follows a group of people taking photographs during a trip on a canal, and then later during a trip to New Lanark. The book talks about the enjoyment of grouping the photographs which were to be displayed in the Centre, the positive reaction to the photographs, and the disbelief that such interesting pictures were taken.

The book is very positive with plenty of good ideas on involving group members. It opened them up to a new and challenging art form, one in which anyone can take part and which helps people to become more dynamic.

This is an inspiring book, and after reading it I have decided to organise a photographic trip for the clients in the day centre in which I work.

Amanda Bartlett
Alzheimer’s Society Day Centre
Cardiff