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Reaching through the Fog of Alzheimer’s to Restore Communication
Published August 24th, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – According to the latest August 2010 report from the Alzheimer’s Association, over five million Americans are currently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This statistic is even more sobering when coupled with the prediction that by 2030, over 17 million Americans will be at high risk for developing this disease.
Most of our lives will be touched in some way by Alzheimer’s, and communicating with those afflicted can make for a challenging, often frustrating experience. In his groundbreaking new handbook, Walking In Their Shoes: Communicating with loved ones who have Alzheimer’s disease, Michael Krauthamer offers health care providers, friends and family an invaluable resource for keeping lines of communication as open as possible with those battling the symptoms of the disease.
“It is important that you see the faces and realities of people, not just the numbers,” Krauthamer said.
His book offers a collection of true stories compiled over a 10-year period of working
with Alzheimer’s patients. He makes the argument, although the forms change, patients still have the ability to communicate, and knowing how to effectively interact with them helps us to better understand their behaviors and resolve conflict.
Employing a sensible, applicable combination of observation, nonverbal and verbal communication, Walking In Their Shoes comes from a sociological perspective, drawing inspiration from person-centered care and validation therapy techniques. Believing that negative behaviors associated with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s, including confusion, anxiety and anger, can be successfully coped with, Krauthamer provides a wealth of information on how to handle situations in the most peaceful way possible while redirecting to a positive atmosphere.
Anecdotes from his personal experiences are combined with straightforward discussions of communication
techniques and behavioral analysis. Thoroughly researched and thoughtfully told, Walking In Their Shoes is a must-read for anyone who interacts with Alzheimer’s patients. Learn new strategies with proven results and get a glimpse into the lives of those whose voices deserve to be heard in this concise new guide.
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