This book supports individuals caring for someone newly diagnosed with Dementia, providing guidance through the challenges of caregiving. It includes eleven chapters addressing personal care experiences, learning modules on Dementia symptoms, and advice for private carers. It also sensitively discusses death and dying, combining evidence-based facts with personal insights.
In the UK, around 550,000 individuals provide private care for people with dementia at home, often without formal training and unexpectedly thrust into this role. Many caregivers face this challenge over a decade or more, navigating their own grief as dementia progresses. Most support focuses on the person with dementia, leaving caregivers with limited resources. This Care Diary Book is designed specifically for those caring for individuals living with dementia, emphasizing the importance of the caregiver's experience. It encourages keeping a diary, a method used in trauma rehabilitation, to document insights about dementia and care practices while also promoting the caregiver's physical and mental well-being. Each chapter includes reflective questions to help caregivers evaluate their situations critically. By maintaining a care diary, caregivers may uncover hidden strengths, enabling them to preserve their identities beyond their caregiving roles. Additionally, the diary aims to enhance the caregiver's relationship with the person they care for. This first edition covers topics such as creative communication, behavioral symptoms, coping with grief, avoiding burnout, and ensuring quality of life for both caregivers and those living with dementia.