Finding the Light in Dementia:: A Guide for Families, Friends and Caregivers

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Initially slightly put off by the cover,’ says Caroline, ‘I was converted by its practicality, sensitivity and relevance.’ ‘There are so many sensible and helpful pieces of advice and ideas, it all needs time to digest and take on board!’ says Marilyn.

Through listening to & supporting people & their families during & following their diagnosis in memory clinics, caring for people who have dementia in hospital & in care homes, she has helped people throughout all of the stages of their condition. Be aware that if the colour of the flooring between the outside and the toilet is different or too contrasting, your loved one may see it as a step or a hole and not want to step over it Caroline likes the way the book is structured. ‘The use of bullet points at the end of each chapter and the space for notes means a carer could jot down thoughts and consult it regularly. Maybe start off with writing down their wants and not wants. For example, they may have specific religious and/or cultural beliefs that may influence what they eat or how they worship or they may wish to avoid certain medical treatment. It is important that their choices are documented and whilst, of course decisions can change, you have both taken some control in future planning.Please consider writing a review for Finding the Light in Dementia, a Guide for Families, Friends and Caregivers to help other people affected by the condition

Throughout the book the experience and compassion of the author shines through. Jane Mullins is a dementia nurse consultant who has devoted over 25 years to the study and practice of dementia and all her knowledge is distilled into this informative, non-technical work. Andrea Nicholas Jones, Director Strategic Partnerships, Action for Elders, Wales Trustee & Chair of National Council, Hourglass (Action on Elder Abuse), Welsh Government Strategy for Older People Lead, British Irish Council Chair working group on Preventative Spend. "A Dementia diagnosis can be devastating for the individual and their family, however, with the right support, people can still live a productive and meaningful life. Critical for this is training for staff on how to enable the individual to maximise their wellbeing. This programme offers this and more and has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for anyone living with dementia. The care staff wellbeing hub will offer invaluable support to staff working in this challenging area." A great way to stay connected together with your loved one living with dementia is by creating a memory box. This will help you enjoy the present by exploring meaningful objects that reflect parts of your lives. It is also a good starting point to creating yours and your care partner’s life stories (Read Finding the Light in Dementia: A Guide for Families, Friends and Caregivers for more information).

When using Finding the Light in Dementia you will learn how to care with confidence & know:

Created in collaboration with Meri Yaadain to ensure training is culturally inclusive, accessible and relevant for all. Caroline Branney, who manages our Dementia Knowledge Centre, warns against making the proverbial mistake about judging books. Janet feels the book was written with compassion for both the person with dementia and those supporting them.

She adds, ‘It would give a sense of hope and optimism by describing how some creative thinking and changing our reactions to a different response can make a huge difference to the carer and cared-for.’ Include significant information in your lives such a dates, people and places and key moments which can include first job, university, marriage, birth of children etc. Then you can add in themes such as holidays, hobbies, life in your local community etc. Marilyn Shipp, in Kent, was wary of drawing conclusions too soon about a book that gave her so much to think about. ‘There are so many sensible and helpful pieces of advice and ideas, it all needs time to digest and take on board!’I have felt personally and professionally supported by Jane when we were colleagues at Cardiff University. Jane is a very dynamic individual, who was keen to ensure students were supported to understand how best to provide empathetic care for people who are living with dementia and their families. It was a pleasure working alongside Jane in this role and I hope to collaborate with her further to promote empathy, care and compassion in dementia care. Coaching health and social care undergraduate students in Personal and Professional Development at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Being a Finding the Light in Dementia Care™ trained carer means that people can be confident that they or their loved one will be cared for with dignity, understanding, empathy and compassion at all stages of their condition, and that the people who care for them are well, resilient and supported.

If your partner is still working, you will need to consider discussing the diagnosis with their Human Resources/Personnel department and occupational health. Depending on their job and how their dementia is affecting them, employers should be able to offer some flexible working support or plans. They may also help with discussing pensions and possible future options. A diagnosis of dementia does not necessarily mean that they have to give up their job immediately but the roles that they undertake may change.

Useful content 

Use the box(es) to help stimulate and engage your care partner and leave them in key places on your home. Those reading it will find sections on facing the diagnosis, communicating, using life stories to stay connected, creating a calm, safe home, and tips for sleep, eating and drinking. There are chapters too on some of the challenges that can come with dementia: behavioural issues, hallucinations, and the difficult issue of considering outside care. Perhaps the most important chapter is that on caring for the caregiver: so often overlooked. At the end of each chapter is space for notes: practical ways for the carer to note down problems and solutions, as each individual is unique. Finding the Light in Dementia: a Guide for Families, Friends and Caregivers' is the essential self help book that helps you make sense of dementia. By offering valuable approaches, tips and suggestions interspersed with caregiver stories, the reader can learn to care for and communicate with their loved one (care partner). Whether you're a spouse, partner, daughter, son, sibling, friend, parent or paid caregiver, this book is for you. Finding the Light in Dementia will help give you more confidence to care by: -Supporting you through a diagnosis of dementia -Helping you understand what your care partner is experiencing -Teaching you ways to communicate and connect with each other -Helping you make subtle changes to your home to help your care partner feel safe and content - Introducing practical and creative ways to stimulate memories to help with day to day living =Showing you how to create lifestories together -Suggesting ways to keep your care partner interested and engaged in meaningful activities -Providing tips for sleeping, eating and drinking -Suggesting ways to help your care partner with their appearance and dignity -Showing you ways of overcoming the challenges of changing behaviour, reactions and responses -Helping reduce the effects of hallucinations, delusions and misperceptions -Suggesting ways for you to care for yourself -Involving families and friends -Giving advice when considering professional care at home and in residential careKnowing how tired and stressed you may feel, 'Finding the Light in Dementia' is written in bite sized chunks that makes it easy to follow. By giving you space to write down any points you would like to make and providing question sheets for you to refer to when speaking with your doctor and/or legal professionals you can make this your personal guide. When following the approaches in this book, you should find that your care partner will feel more understood and you will become calmer thereby helping you both find a sense of connection and continue to live well. This will include resources to help them cope with the grief and bereavement, and other challenges that they will have experienced due to Covid. An assessment may also include recommending aids such as raised toilet seats and grab rails that will help if your loved one is struggling with mobility.