Being Positive

Chapter 1: Being Positive

Overview:

• Describes the various problems and deficits of Alzheimer’s Disease and how to look beyond this negative picture and focus on the person
• Personal recounts of the author’s own experience with her mother and the disease
• Lists and provides examples of what someone with Alzheimer’s is still capable of
• Summarises various abilities one needs to keep in touch with someone with Alzheimer’s

Description:

This chapter initially deals briefly with the highly negative picture of Alzheimer’s disease, and moves on to countering this with explaining the need to keep sight of the person, rather than the disease. It also emphasises the many things that someone with Dementia can still do, despite the effects of their condition.

Topics:

• Looking beyond the negative picture of Alzheimer’s disease
  • An added burden - the negative side of the picture
  • Seeing the person instead of the disease
• Recognising what someone with Alzheimer’s can still do
  • Demonstrating the other side of the picture
  • Saying and doing something appropriate
  • Drawing on our memory for often repeated words and actions
  • Such memories may explain otherwise bizarre behaviour
  • The crucial role of such memories when other means fail
  • Negative reactions may be appropriate too - in the circumstances
  • Dementing - but still able to think
  • Still able to feel and to express emotion
  • A sense of humour
• Summing up - the abilities needed for keeping in touch

Speaker / Author:

Jane Crisp

Dr Jane Crisp has retired recently as a lecturer in communication, media studies and women’s studies at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. She now holds an honorary position there as Adjunct Senior Lecturer. When Jane’s mother, who lived in New Zealand, was diagnosed with dementia Jane found her professional studies of great help in her efforts to keep in touch. Since 1990 Jane has been studying the language of people who are dementing, working out strategies for making sense of the way they speak. She has given talks on this work, and had articles published, both in Australia and overseas.

Jane has spent much time in France, meeting and exchanging ideas with researchers and carers involved with people who are dementing, and visiting specialised care units. She is married, with a son and a brand new granddaughter.

Professional Reviews: