Description
It is common to believe that dementia can progress so far that it makes it almost impossible to ‘find’ the person inside. It can seem as if they have disappeared entirely into their illness. Science is now helping us to understand that is not true.
This 64-page book features as part of our connected baby series of guides. It introduces readers to Adaptive Interaction – an approach to interaction that leads us to rethink the nature of communication and advanced dementia.
It is common to believe that dementia can progress so far that it makes it almost impossible to ‘find’ the person inside. It can seem as if they have disappeared entirely into their illness. Science is now helping us to understand that is not true.
Human beings are communicative, right from birth. They remain so until the very end of their life. Our communicative nature is perhaps the characteristic most central to our humanity. This guide explains why the approach of Adaptive Interaction is so effective in tapping into that humanity, even in very advanced stages of dementia.
The guide is written in a style that makes it suited to both professional and personal interests. Family members will find the information in it as helpful as will professional staff and managers in care homes. Those working with charities and volunteers agencies will also find it of interest, as will anyone with an interest in communication and emotional connection.
The guide describes the research base validating Adaptive Interaction and also explores the relation between the scientific literatures pertaining to dementia and attachment. It ends by recommending a wide range of further resources, including books, published research papers, blogs, videos, and interventions.
Chapter titles include
- Rethinking connection
- Facing up to discomfort
- What is dementia?
- The loss of social skills
- Is there anybody in there?
- The purpose of communication
- Intensive Interaction
- Addressing our own feelings
- Connection as a way of being
- Recommended resources
Written by research psychologists Dr. Maggie Ellis & Dr Suzanne Zeedyk
Published: 2014
64 pages, richly illustrated with photographs
Includes suggested Further Reading
Available in print and online.
Discounts are offered on orders of 31 or more and can be ordered via invoice. Please get in touch by our Contact Page.
If you order multiple items and the package weighs more than 2kg, we will be in touch to discuss postage.
Brenda Boyle, Family Member –
You did such a great job getting my mum to laugh and engage. I haven’t seen her like that in such a long time. It brought out a glow in her face. It’s nice to know that connection is still there.
Henry Simmons, Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland –
Adaptive Interaction holds great promise. Yet the developmental theory of connection explaining its effectiveness is in danger of being misunderstood. This book does a superb job of showing how we can overcome this and truly honour each person’s humanity.