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

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The first thing I want you to realise is, that this may not be a normal part of the condition, as other physical conditions and medication may also affect a person’s ability to stay continent. I know caregivers often don’t tend to seek help as they feel embarrassed and conscious of keeping their loved one’s dignity. But it is important to speak to your doctor and ask for a continence assessment for them. This is usually done by a specialist continence nurse who will be able to explore the cause in more detail, offer support and advice that may help and thereby reduce the embarrassment and stigma associated with it. A strong self-development ethos underpins the whole of the training including reflective practice, enjoyable activities and access to a wellbeing hub with self-care and grief and bereavement resources – Helps develop a resilient, knowledgeable workforce that will contribute to staff retention.

Our vision is to to create an internationally accredited, cutting-edge multimedia dementia care training platform with a care staff well-being hub, to promote well, resilient staff who will provide compassionate dementia care throughout Covid and beyond - and is AFFORDABLE for all care providers!If or when care is no longer possible at home, there's advice, too, on choosing the right residential care. Jane Mullins' book is not published by a large, well-known publisher, so she says she has to work tirelessly to get this into the public domain. Things you can do to help include many of the suggestions I give in my book, Finding the Light in Dementia, a Guide for Families, Friends and Caregivers. This includes: 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!’ This will include resources to help them cope with the grief and bereavement, and other challenges that they will have experienced due to Covid. Tom Tremayne, Creative Director. Tom is a true creative, who studied Fine Art and then went on to graduate from Newport Film School. His first commercially released short film, When I Fall in Love (2014), a dementia awareness film was selected for screening at Cardiff Mini Film Festival in 2015. Tom is a skilled photographer, specialising in soundscapes, and has over five years' professional experience in analogue film reproduction, photo restoration and editing - look out for the Suitcase of Memories rewards!

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 Whether you’re a family caregiver, health and social care professional, volunteer or member of the public who wants to understand more about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, Finding the Light in Dementia can help you. Dr Ann Williams -" Dementia care training is absolutely vital, not only for the welfare of patients but also for the wellbeing of their families and of the care staff. There could be no better person to develop this training than Jane Mullins – her approach is filled with compassion & genuine understanding of the diverse needs of dementia sufferers and their loved ones. The beauty of her ‘Finding the Light’ approach is in its simplicity & the genuine & meaningful connections it elicits." Just like in real life we are all different and there is no one way to describe the effect of the illness or how best to treat those who suffer from it. That makes Dementia Care difficult but getting it right is essential and ‘Finding the Light in Dementia’ goes a long way in doing just that. I cannot stress highly enough just how important a contribution this book will make. Dr Andy Woodhead There may be more books than ever about dementia. But few prove as helpful and practical for those who find themselves at a loss when the diagnosis is first made than Jane Mullins' Finding the Light in Dementia: A guide for Families and caregivers (DUETcare, 2017).

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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.

Finding the Light In Dementia has been invaluable and has helped us know what to do and how. We are currently caring for my 90-year-old Mum together in her home and with all the challenges that Stage 6 Alzheimer’s bring, this book has been a great source of wisdom on how to tailor our approach. We have used the book to provide a consistent approach to her care. All professional home caregivers would also benefit from reading this to enable them to provide the best care possible in their role. It’s also a book that reminds us to look after ourselves!”--Angharad and Anthony Brown, Daughter and Son-in-Law, Family Carers Gather props – you will probably find most things around your home, involve your care partner in collecting interesting objects. Think about sensory props such as an oily rag for a car enthusiast or the smell of sun cream lotion.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. I am Jane M. Mullins and I have cared for people living with dementia for 30 years, in memory clinics, care homes, hospital and at home. I have supported care staff in all my roles and created and delivered Personal and Professional Development training for Health and Social Care students. My PhD research- A Suitcase of Memories explored multi sensory ways to help people living with dementia communicate with their loved ones and stay connected. I also work as a Researcher at the Awen Institute, Swansea University. Finding the Light in Dementia: a guide for families, friends and caregivers’ (2nd Edition) is the essential self help book that explains common changes that can occur in those living with dementia. By offering valuable approaches, tips and suggestions interspersed with individuals' stories, the reader can learn to care for and maintain a connection with their loved one (care partner). Whether you’re a spouse, partner, daughter, son, sibling, friend or even a parent caring for a loved one living with dementia, this book is for you. Finding the Light in Dementia will help give you more confidence to care by: 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.’

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. The Book is filled with quotes from people who actually experience what it is like to live with Dementia and provides really useful emotional and practical advice to those who are Caring. Issues like creating a calm and safe environment, understanding sudden changes in behaviour and communication are so important and these are covered so well, along with many others. Meghani, N.A.A.,Hudson, J., Stratton, G, and Mullins, J., 2023. Optimising older adults’ home spaces to enhance their physical activity level; an explorative qualitative study protocol. BMJ (Open), 13(2), p.e066940.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). 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. I’m just a carer”. I have heard carers say this time and time again, but at Finding the Light in Dementia Care™ we will highlight the exceptional skills, knowledge and attitudes it takes to care for people living with dementia well, throughout all stages of their condition. This includes Alzheimer's disease, and the rarer types of dementia such as Lewy Body dementia, Frontotemporal dementia and Posterior Corticol Atrophy. Finding the Light in Dementia Care™ will raise the profile of social care. As a dementia nurse consultant with many years’ experience, Jane Mullins has a lot to share about good care. This book is her attempt to share it in a way that is helpful to anyone supporting a partner, relative or friend who has dementia.