 INSIDE ALZHEIMER'S:How to Hear and Honor Connections
with a Person who has Dementia
by Nancy Pearce
ISBN-13: 978-0-9788299-0-2
ISBN-10: 0-9788299-0-5
LCCN: 2006909855
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 320
Size: 5.50 x 8.25
Price: $19.95
Carton Quantity: 30 Now in its second printing!
Inside Alzheimer's was featured in the "Best Consumer Health Books of 2007" article of the Library Journal in February 2008. For the full review of the "Best Consumer Health Books of 2007" article, please click on: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6523448.html . § Inside Alzheimer's received a "highly recommended" rating in the 7/15/07 issue of the Library Journal: "...Including resources and filled with practical wisdom, this groundbreaking, transformational, and informative book is highly recommended for all public and academic libraries."
— Elizabeth M. Wavle, Elmira Coll. Lib., NY For the full review of the 7/15 article, please click on: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6450616.html?industryid=47110 § Featured in the July 2007 issue of Midwest Book Review magazine's "Reviewer's Bookwatch":
"Written by medical social worker Nancy Pearce, Inside Alzheimer's…is an uplifting guide for anyone whose friends or loved ones suffer from various stages of dementia…Highly recommended as guideline, aid, comfort, and inspiration." — Susan Bethany, Reviewer
For the full review, please click on http://www.midwestbookreview.com/rbw/jul_07.htm#bethany
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This book is featured in the Sept/Oct 2007 issue of ForeWord Magazine:
"…Inside Alzheimer's is a practical, conversational guide for those new to the disease, as well as advice and techniques for seasoned professionals...[This book] helps families and caregivers better understand individuals with Alzheimer's through love, acceptance,and communication." — Laura Munion, Reviewer For the full review, please click on http://www.forewordmagazine.com/reviews/search_reviews.aspx?Searchtype=Author&SearchCriteria=nancy+pearce
§ For a presentation review, please click on: https://www.crosier.org/default.cfm?PID=1.45&inq_key=16823&action=detail&LibID=3138
§ "Nancy makes being with person with dementia seem natural as she helps each one continue to participate in life as fully as possible. And guess what? She found that her own life was more fulfilled by listening to her friends with the heart and she gives us her recipe at the close of each chapter! This is a must read for all who work or spend time with persons with dementia."
— Virginia Bell, MSW, coauthor of The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care
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"Inside Alzheimer's...celebrates the hidden potential discovered when we consciously focus on the person's remaining abilities instead of his/her deficits. Through simple steps and inspiring case studies, Nancy demonstrates how we can all help persons with dementia transcend the seeming boundaries of the disease to experience profound moments of beauty, meaning, dignity, laughter and love. Thank you, Nancy, for affirming, renewing and energizing my efforts to optimize quality of life for persons with dementia."
— Maribeth Gallagher, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Dementia Program Director, Hospice of the Valley §
Amazon Posted Reviews:
 A very important addition to the body of work for the caregiver of people with dementia!, April 7, 2009 One of the most trying aspects for anyone caring for a person with Alzheimer's and dementia involves the breakdown of communication. In her book, Inside Alzheimer's: How to Hear and Honor Connections with a Person who has Dementia, Nancy Pearce shows the way to communicate with people affected by dementia in any of its forms. Ms. Pearce is a social worker with more than 20 years of experience with geriatric patients and people with dementia. Those years have obviously given her tools to connect with people who many have given up on; but more obviously, she brings to her profession an intuitive understanding of the process. The importance of her intuition comes through clearly as she talks to us about the people she has touched and who have touched her.
As dementia including Alzheimer's progresses it causes one to lose access to memories, and as memories fade the person, more and more, exists in the present. It is in the present that you will successfully relate. Once you learn to be with this person in his or her sphere, which is the here and now, much of the frustration that is so common in caregivers of people with dementia will melt away. Inside Alzheimer's will help you to do just that. Whether you are a professional visiting caregiver, on staff at a facility caring for people with dementia, or are caring for a loved one at home, Inside Alzheimer's is a must read. (Even if you never have contact with a person with dementia, you will benefit from Nancy Pearce's insights.)
| " | Must Read for Everyone Exposed to People with Dementia, February 10, 2008 "Ms. Pearce touched my soul with her book. I stumbled onto it via Amazon. Once it arrived I quickly read through it. I started practicing the IF LOST concepts right away & can honestly say I have had better connections IMMEDIATELY with my mother. I've since purchased extra copies of the book for family members & have recommended it to several coworkers who are also dealing with ailing parents."
"My mother was officially diagnosed 6 years ago - but we knew (she knew) something was going wrong much longer than that. She was 65 at the time. Since then I've read many books on this topic. Several have been helpful -but none have hit home as much as Inside Alzheimer's. Typically I have a hard time finishing books on this topic because the situation is so depressing. Right in the beginning of the book, Nancy recommends reading it at your own pace. She clearly knows the subject is a difficult one."
"I highly recommend this book for ALL health-care personnel or family members of those with dementia. I will be handing out copies to all mom's caregivers, including her geriatric psychiatrist. I just gave a copy to my father & I know he'll have a much better understanding of how to reach mom once he finishes it."
"Thank you to Ms. Pearce for taking the time to share her vast experiences with those of us going through this one by one. The caring & compassion she has demonstrated in her life will surely take her straight to heaven. No doubt an angel sent to guide those of us who are struggling to make a positive difference for our loved one's with this horrible disease!" Clear, comforting and confidence inspiring, February 18, 2008 This book provides a very clear, comforting and confidence inspiring way for family and friends to spend time with a person with Alzheimer's. I really appreciated how the author was able to explain the meaning of the world to someone who has Alzheimer's so that I could spend all of my time responding from that context. This allows me to avoid responses that while normal and seemingly logical to me would make no sense to the person with Alzheimer's. The explanations and coaching language are very effective. It was easy for me to grasp and imagine the world of the person with Alzheimer's. By almost being able to walk in their "mocassins" I am able to focus entirely on learning how to get better at it - and therefore be a better friend and companion. The power of positive communication, February 28, 2008 Inside Alzheimer's: How to Hear and Honor Connections with a Person who has Dementia, show the reader how to communicate effectively with someone who has dementia. Logical commnication skills often do not work so the author shares with the reader both how to listen and use body language to see what the dementia person is trying to say. Also the reader(loved one or professional) discovers how to, most effectively, mintain a connection with the person with dementia. In addition, Nancy Pearce, shares how to value a dementia person. There are still many things you can do together, perhaps with a few adaptations. These things are discussed. This book is certainly a must read for a loved one, friend, caregiver, or other professional. by Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby: Meaningful, Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones, and Involved Professionals |
§ "Inside Alzheimer's provides evidence through a variety of stories that people with dementia are filled with possibilities for connection and meaning. Nancy Pearce provides both family and professional caregivers some valuable tips and strategies for hearing the person who has dementia. The stories will resonate with many readers and bring joy, tears, and increased awareness of the possibilities we each can bring in order to honor the person." — Jan Dougherty, RN, MS Director of Family and Community Services Banner Alzheimer's Institute §
"Inside Alzheimer's is beautifully written…in an easy to follow format…with examples and storytelling [that] make it very entertaining without taking away the insightfulness. It gives a different dimension to the exhausting and very often overwhelming task [of providing] care. With [this book], family members, professionals, friends, caregivers—any person who is related to someone with dementia—will be able to see the beautiful side of caring for someone with dementia. Ms. Pearce shows that connection is possible, no matter how debilitated and compromised the person…and makes the point with sensitivity, poetry and love." "I can see Ms. Pearce's passion for working and being with persons with dementia; however, the book is beyond making connections with these persons—it is universal. In my opinion, the paradigms stated in the book are applicable to all the real connections we have in our lives, whenever we communicate with love, appreciation and intention with our families and friends, at work or school—in all encounters we want to be meaningful. Wouldn't this world be a much happier place if we all intended true connections with each other? I will be recommending this book to everyone!!!" — Judith Davagnino, coauthor of When Your Loved One has Dementia: A Simple Guide for Caregivers.
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"I think that this book can be very helpful to family, friends and professional caregivers of Alzheimer's and other dementia patients. You provide wonderful examples of making connections to all kinds of people in very varied circumstances. You make a strong case that intentions and freeing oneself from assumptions are keys to openness to connection." "I expect the book to be very much appreciated by people struggling to make or maintain their connections to people with dementia." — Kay W. Davidson, DSW Dean and Professor School of Social Work, University of Connecticut Family member of a person with dementia § "I thought Inside Alzheimer's was wonderful! I really enjoyed reading a book that described a whole new area of interventions with Alzheimer's patients. There are many publications on training individuals to work effectively with Alzheimer's patients; however, this book takes it a step further. Instead of providing the reader with information on understanding effective communication skills or behavioral problems (the repetitive information that many books provide), Ms. Pearce brings the reader to the root of understanding the individual." "Ms. Pearce drives home the importance of having a "true connection" with the individual as well as how to do it effectively. Developing this connection can decrease the amount of communication or behavioral issues long before they become problems. Wonderful illustrations are provided to show how simple interventions can create powerful bonds between patient and caregiver." "The content is easy to follow and understand, particularly for non-medical individuals such as family members. I find that many family members have difficulty with understanding and responding to the individual with dementia. Many of the interventions provided could assist family members in developing a level of comfort in responding to the individual with dementia, which can be half the battle. I also really enjoyed the exercises provided at the end of each chapter; they put the information into perspective." "Understanding how to connect with the individual is so significant and can have a profound effect on care giving. This is an area overlooked by many professionals. Ms. Pearce does an excellent job utilizing practical interventions to establish a connection with the individual afflicted with dementia and demonstrating how positive the outcome can be. Using this concept can change the face of care giving all together." — Gina M. Kastrup, MSW Director of Social Services Riverside Health and Rehabilitation Center Facilitator of Alzheimer's Family Support Groups
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"The thought of maintaining a relationship with someone who's mind is diseased and brain is riddled with holes is daunting, so [I] appreciated the practical on-the-front-line approach of this book. This is a hopeful, positive, and useful book which offers ways to continue loving relationships when communication changes through illness." — Karen McCarthy Eger, Library Director Springvale Public Library §
| | National Interfaith Coalition on Aging Members Book Review
September 16, 2008
Reviewed by Kathleen Buckwalter, PhD, RN, Sally Mathis Hartwig Professor of Gerontological Nursing Research; Director, The John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, The University of Iowa College of Nursing, Iowa City, IA
Reviewers found that "overall the book is a heartfelt and helpful guide to those who may feel discomfort in visiting/communicating with persons with dementia." For the full review, please click on: http://www.ncoa.org/content.cfm?sectionID=41&detail=2605 . |
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