Book Reviews
Vol 8.2
2003
This page shows books which Signpost has reviewed. If you would like to become a Signpost book reviewer, please contact Signpost.
For a full list of published reviews click
here.
THE PERSON - NOT THE PROBLEM
video
MHA Care Group (2002)
duration: 28 minutes
cost: £20
Any video which attempts to consider the myriad complexities associated
with dementia would be hard pushed to address many issues in 28 minutes.
The MHA Care Group are to be congratulated for producing an impressive
introduction to the pertinent topics.
It is self-evidently a team project, which has the feel (although this
has not been acknowledged) of a Mike Leigh ensemble piece: an evolving
sequence of events where individuals work through their characters
emotions.
Written by Tim Elgood, a social worker and amateur playwright (he also
has a cameo role as 'Terry', a support worker), the script considers (with
the aid of four flashback sequences) a transitional period covering highly
respected competence (as a GP) to the point of inward reflection where the
tactile comfort of buttons and dress fabric supercedes verbal
communication.
Supported by the Alzheimer's Society, a stated aim of this video is to
be "a training aid for the professional (and) an information resource
for anyone interested in understanding dementia". The packaging
includes an information leaflet to formulate discussion topics and to
assist in their development, through to the concluding feedback session,
which the MHA ask of the participants.
Somewhat inevitably Iris Murdoch is mentioned, and one can readily
accept that reference: the dialogue has a quirkily matter-of-fact and
honest ring to it and the acting is of a competently high standard. Only
one of the five - Margaret Reeves - is a professional, but the actors
seemingly made good use of their opportunities to observe interactions in
care settings.
Heidi McKenzie's role neatly balances the responsibilities and concerns
inherently required of any residential care home manager. Tolerance,
respect, dignity, guilt and anger are all alluded to, and the overall
impression is of an affirmation of the benefits, however marginal and
apparently insignificant, of caring for the individual.
At less than thirty minutes this video uses its fleeting period of time
effectively. Pam Rhodes, a BBC Presenter, recommends it as "an
invaluable resource containing powerful acting, emotions and a real
understanding of Dementia".
I fully agree.
Stephen Weeks BA(Hons), RMN is a CPN based in Ossett.
The Home
Front
The Home Front is developed for Action on Elder Abuse
and is aimed at home care workers, to help raise awareness of elder abuse,
how to recognise it and what to do if abuse occurs. It is divided into
four sections.
Section one deals with four scenarios and is
accompanied by a video to illustrate these. Each scenario is enacted and
the manual provides exercises to enhance the video material. These
exercises encourage reflection on practice and highlights the good and not
so good practice points. The case scenarios are relevant and clearly
illustrate the role of the home carer and other professionals in dealing
with elder abuse in the community.
Section two looks at the underpinning knowledge again
with exercises designed to gain a better understanding of elder abuse, the
forms it takes, how to prevent abuse, what action to take and how to cope
with personal feelings and reactions. Not only does this build on the
issues raised in the first section, but provides a useful reference guide
for home carers and their managers. The material is relevant to the
situations that home carers have to deal with.
Sections three and four are specifically aimed at
helping home carers to be assessed for NVQ Care (Levels 2/3), giving
guidelines on how to collect evidence and builds on the knowledge gained
in the first two sections. It is also useful for trainers as there are
useful checklists and exercises included. The appendices in Section 4
provides further supporting material.
Although this training package has been designed
specifically for home carers to meet the performance criteria for NVQ
Training Z1 unit, it is a useful and adaptable tool for managers of home
carers and domiciliary agencies. This package could be adapted for
training sessions related to elder abuse. The scenarios used are
realistic, provide a good analysis of issues related to elder abuse in
community settings and could engender some interesting and reflective
discussions. The manual is clearly set out and meets the objectives it
sets out to achieve. It would be very useful if a similar training package
could be developed for carers in residential settings.
Angela Jones
Senior Social Work Practitioner
St. David's Hospital, Cardiff
Cognitive Behaviour
Therapy with Older People.
Ed. K Laidlaw
John Wiley & sons, price £19.99
ISBN 0-471487-11-2
This title is promising in that it starts with a foreword by the
originator of CBT, Aaron Beck, and it is no underestimation to indicate
that the title fulfils and exceeds the high expectations generated by such
a prestigious contributor.
The book which is both an useful practical guide for the CBT
practitioner and a starting point for the researcher wishing in depth
study of the concept of CBT looks very clearly indeed at key issues : The
first issue to be tackled is that of similarity and difference between CBT
for adults and that for older adults. The authors then gently take the
reader through each condition for which CBT might be found helpful:
Obviously depression and anxiety but less obviously sleep disorders;
dementia and affective conditions in the context of physical illness.
There is a very helpful appendix providing useful charts for clinical use
as well as a speculative look at CBT in the future as well as a section
providing advice on what to do when………
In addition to looking at issues of CBT ; the book should also be
credited with raising – and addressing very adequately – a range of
other matters integral to the holistic care of the older adult For
example, there is useful information here about physical health and the
older adult and non-medical practitioners of CBT will find this
particularly helpful. Even medical practitioners of Medicine for the
elderly and General Practitioners would perhaps find it helpful to be
aware of the "adjusted" (by these authors) World Health
Organisation ICF model of care looking at issues of context, function ,
health and disability as an important tool in facilitating the optimal
care environment for these patients.
As a doctor working in Psychiatry (and briefly in General Practice
currently) this title has provided me with both the impetus and the
practical information necessary to embark upon CBT with my patients
(interestingly of whatever age.)
Dr Clive H Morgan,
SHO in Psychiatry/General Practice,
Hull and East Riding Community NHS Trust
Mental Wellness in Ageing --
Strengths-Based Approaches.
Ed. Judah L. Ronch & Joseph A.
Goldfield.
Health Professions Press
Price £23.13
ISBN 1-878812-69-6
The title created a positive impression
before I even opened the cover and I was certainly not disappointed. I
have worked in the field of mental health for older adults for 5 years and
this is one of my best reads to date. The authors consistently focus on
the positive aspects of the ageing process within the field of mental
health, great to read and inspiring.
There was a wide use of resources and
material used within the book to support the findings, including American,
British and Scandinavian Journals.
The introduction paints the scene for the
rest of the book, providing snap shots under specific headings including:
Ageing & Mental Health, focussing on several types of Mental Health
needs for this population; Service delivery issues, looking at how best to
promote services etc; Barriers & Stigma, focussing on possible stigmas
within mental health and how these should be tackled.
The omission of negative terms, e.g.
illness, weakness, make the text much more positive and empowering for the
clients. Words such as skills and collaboration highlight how approaches
have changed for the better and continue to do so.
The book’s 16 chapters look at how theory
and practice have evolved to be a truly client-centered.
The book begins by looking at ageing in the
Millennium covering many topics including population diversity, factors of
withdrawal for individuals from ethnic minorities, cultural influences,
individual choices and decisions, and how these all impact on
interventions and service provisions.
The following chapters all have positive
titles which set the tone for the entire book:- Autonomy & Consumer
empowerment; strengths based health care; the role of activity in metal
wellness with older adults. The chapters are divided into subtopics and
make for easy reading. There is a concise summary in each chapter bringing
together the topics covered. The authors use case studies throughout which
link theory and practice, and aided my understanding of issues etc.
The book is divided into two sections, the
first, which we have already covered being entitled "Engaging People’s
Strengths for Successful Ageing." The second section, entitled
"From Symptoms to Strengths in Therapy and Counselling," focuses
on more practical issues when working with this client group. Chapters 9
– 16 cover various techniques and practical examples of working with
individuals. The chapters cover a wide topic range including: Solution-Focussed
Therapy; Elders Enhancing Exceptions; Strengths-Based Approaches to Trauma
in Ageing; Caring for people with Alzheimer’s Disease; Exploring the
Creative Potential of People with Alzheimer’s Disease, and Related
Dementia: Dare to Imagine.
As with the first section the authors use
excellent case studies to highlight effective approaches. The authors
acknowledge that the shift towards "person-centered care" (Kitwood,
1997) has challenged our way of thinking about Alzheimer’s Disease when
working with individuals.
The advice, ideas and examples given
throughout would certainly be able to be put into practice. The practical
examples brought the book to life and added to the already positive read.
This book was an excellent read from start
to finish, a positive experience for my first book review. The book has
something for all health professionals, and applying its precepts in
everyday working will ensure the experience is as positive for the
individual with whom you are working.
Emma Walker, Senior 1 Occupational Therapist. Greater
Glasgow Primary Care NHS Trust
Making a Difference in
Dementia Care Training – Resources that are effective meaningful and
fun!
Authors: Aimee Spector, Lene Thorgrimsen, Bob Woods,
Martin Orell
Publisher: Journal of Dementia Care
£13.50
ISBN: 1-874790-78-7
48 pp
This manual is based on the principle of
person-centred approach in the care of people with dementia with a strong
emphasis on participants putting themselves in the place of the person
with dementia. Each exercise has identified aims and key learning points
with strong emphasis on group and personal reflection. There are also
invaluable guidance notes for the trainer on planning the group,
facilitation and debriefing.
I believe the contents and format of the
sessions will hold participants’ attention, challenge their thinking and
fire their imagination in their future work or encounters with those who
have dementia. Humour and creativity are used with great effect and many
of the resources are of low cost or in every day use. The section on the
brain makes interesting reading, reinforced by a "brain quiz" to
check your understanding. The facilitator’s notes on the
"Shapes" exercise (page 96) do not mention that what appears as
a printing error is actually part of the text.
The manual contains the contributors’
contact details and suggested further reading, which I thought was very
helpful.
As a mental health practitioner it gave me
excellent ideas to assist client and carers, and increased my insight into
those who have dementia and their carers. I would highly recommend it to
professionals and voluntary agencies to increase their awareness of the
person who has dementia, and make us look at how we can assist them and
their carers.
Carol Finney is a CPN based in Brentwood, Essex
