Living with a Person with Dementia - by Bernie McCarthy (Paperback)

About the Book

Are you caring for a loved one who is living with dementia? Do you struggle to know what to do when they become distressed? Do you often feel like you're going through this journey alone? Well, you're not alone, and this book is here to help you discover invaluable insights on handling challenges that often come with dementia.

Book Synopsis

Dementia poses a profound and difficult journey for those directly affected, and for their loved ones and caregivers too. Life at home goes through a significant change, but with the right tools, some patience and compassion, it is possible to create a fulfilling home environment while caring for a loved one with dementia.

This book is full of valuable guidance and support as you navigate the transition from intimate relationship to the role of compassionate caregiver. It explores the foundations of understanding the person with dementia and the daily challenges they may encounter, while also offering insights that help caregivers to forge a healthy approach to understanding their loved ones and themselves. The second part of the book is an A-Z exploration of issues that caregivers face when living with a person with dementia.

Each chapter is skilfully interwoven with real-life anecdotes that will enhance the reader's understanding and connection to the material, making this the perfect resource for family caregivers of people with dementia.

Review Quotes

I have read many texts about dementia, but this is the first one that I have found entertaining and informative. I love the format, such as the alphabetical exploration of issues faced by caregivers of people living with dementia. If you care for people living with dementia, this is a reference text you need to have.--Professor Wendy Moyle, Griffith University

This is a fabulous book. Those supporting people living with dementia, both in unpaid and paid roles, repeatedly say that they don't have time to wade through tons of written or online material. The straight-talking A-Z format helps people to get directly to the most helpful information for them. Do not be fooled, however, into thinking that this is a superficial book about caring. Bernie McCarthy draws on solid theory, research and years of experience exuding humanity, compassion and respect. He uses this to provide guidance to all of us working through the myriad of complex relationships that the process of dementia brings into people's lives.--Dawn Brooker MBE PhD, Professor Emeritus and University Fellow Association for Dementia Studies University of Worcester

A book of two parts. Firstly, a compelling explanation of the nature of dementia and how to understand and manage your response to it. Secondly, a smorgasbord of ideas that, surprisingly, keeps you dipping in for another tasty morsel. --Professor Richard Fleming, University of Wollongong

About the Author

Bernie McCarthy is a clinical psychologist with over 25 years' experience working with people with dementia and those who care for them, providing support and education. He has worked in community-based older person's mental health teams and has a psychotherapy practice and consultancy providing behaviour management advice and training to aged care organisations Australia wide and into Asia. He is the founder of McCarthy Psychology Services and is a registered Clinical Psychologist with a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Melbourne University.

Bernie McCarthy wrote 'Hearing the person with dementia: Person-centred approaches to communication for families and caregivers' in 2011. This was selected as one of the books for national distribution to municipal libraries in the UK under the Books on Prescription Scheme in 2015.