Dementia Beyond Drugs
Subtitle: Second Edition, Changing the Culture of Care
Foreword by Kate Swaffer, M. & William H. Thomas, M. D.
Reducing the use of psychotropic drugs in the symptomatic treatment of dementia is key to successfully implementing compassionate, person-centered practices in your organization and this book shows clearly why and how it can be done. The revised second edition of this award-winning resource introduces new research, language, and examples to reinforce the core message that antipsychotic medications are not the solution to ease the distress experienced by individuals living with dementia. Outlined here is the information and inspiration you need to provide alternative solutions for individualized support and care.
In this book you’ll find: enlightened models to reduce the use of harmful medications by understanding and addressing underlying causes of distress a pathway to accomplish the drug-reduction goals established by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) discussions of new drug studies and government reports on the dangers and ineffectiveness of antipsychotic medications in the treatment of people living with dementia recognized best practices in dementia care and their transformational results case studies, stories, and other educational tools illustrating positive outcomes for people living with dementia ways to respond to anxiety and distress in people living with dementia.
An essential read for all professionals in long-term care, including administrators, medical directors, nursing staff, psychologists and counselors, social workers, and policy makers, the ideas presented here call for a revolution in dementia care—one that always puts the person first.
“This second edition of a classic . . . offers new hope for the future of aging and care. —Peter Whitehouse, M.D., Professor of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University
“This book is a must read for individuals and organisations working with people living with dementia. It certainly sparked a revolution in me personally — which then spread quickly throughout my entire company.” —Daniella Greenwood, Strategy and Innovation Manager, Arcare Aged Care, Australia.
Dementia Beyond Drugs: Changing the Culture of Care. A board-certified internist and geriatrician in practice since 1984, he has dedicated most of his career to long-term care and rehabilitation. He is also Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Rochester, New York, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians—American Society of Internal Medicine, and a Certified Eden Alternative Educator and board member of The Eden Alternative, Inc.
“. . . a tour de force. The first edition of the book was excellent, yet the second edition is even more enriching.”—Karen Love, Executive Director, Dementia Action Alliance
About the author: An internationally recognized educator and specialist in caring for people with changing cognitive abilities, G. Allen Power, M.D., is also author of Dementia Beyond Disease: Enhancing Well-Being. A board-certified internist and geriatrician in practice since 1984, he has dedicated most of his career to long-term care and rehabilitation.