A Positive Approach to Occupation with People with Dementia

This volume is designed to enable carers to engage people with dementia meaningful occupation. It proposes that people with dementia have a potential for development, and that occupation is the key to unlocking this potential. Theories of developmental processes and how these apply to people with dementia are reviewed and discussed. The concepts and value of occupation and activity are also explored in some depth. The book then focuses on the ways in which dementia care workers can use their observational skills to identify both the developmental and activity level of the person with dementia. Forms of assessment are compared and evaluated. The book proposes that a care plan should be structured so that identifies the level of ability for each individual in care and plans specific occupations for them. Methods of working therapeutically and of measuring the impact of this form of caregiving are also described.