Based on the work of Alzheimer's expert and author Joanne Koenig Coste, Learning to Speak Alzheimer's presents a compassionate and practical approach to caring for people with Alzheimer's through the creation of “an environment in which both the patient and care partner can transcend the disease.” Coste calls this method “habilitation,” and focuses not on what the Alzheimer's patient has lost, but rather on who that individual is now, building on current capabilities and ever-changing needs. Coste calls for simplification of the home, the creation of “wayfinding” paths to aid the afflicted individual's familiarity with a dwelling, and possible adjustments of color and lighting. For example, in talking about the common problem of “sundowning”—when the transition from day to night creates confusion and disorientation for a person with Alzheimer's—Coste recommends simply shutting the nighttime world out, using pink light to replicate daylight hours and several other tricks. The idea here is that even as the disease progresses, the focus of the professional or family caregiver should remain on creating an atmosphere of safety, love, dignity, and emotional stability. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)
Learning to Speak Alzheimer's
(2008) 32 min. DVD: $179. Aquarius Health Care Media. PPR. Volume 23, Issue 5
Learning to Speak Alzheimer's
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