Hearing the Voice of People with Dementia

Based on interviews with sufferers and professionals working in the field, on an extensive literature search, and on a consultative document which was sent out to over a thousand people, the book discusses ten key points: the possibility of communication; the disempowering experience of dementia; the different ways in which people are affected; the need to respect people's sense of sense of time and place; the importance of knowing a person's 'life story'; the effect of environmental and other factors on communication; the non-verbal ways in which people with dementia communicate; communication through 'challenging behaviour'; group work; the value or harm of sharing a diagnosis.Practical advice and suggestions are offered to help professionals gain a greater understanding of dementia and develop skills which aid communication.