Click on image to download the 24-page handbook
The Living Well with Dementia Handbook is a 24-page booklet created in the UK that allows you to include your or your loved one’s important information across five easy-to-complete sections. (Can be adapted for use in the U.S. and other countries.)
Unlike The Caregiver’s Voice reviews that provide a link where you can purchase or get more information about a book or product, this entire handbook is available by clicking on the cover image to your left.
Section 1: My Emergency Details
Contact information of family members and medical personnel. Includes space to identify whether or not you have a power of attorney and a living will.
Section 2: About Me
Guide for “Talking to Me” page
Record things that are important to you/your loved one in order to help providers care for you/your loved one with dignity. Items to include–what name you like to be called, your preferred language, type of assistance needed, hygiene preferences, likes and dislikes at night, family and friends, routines, food and drink preferences, etc.
“Medical Contacts” page
Section 3: My Care Plans
Record the names and contact information of those involved in your/your loved one’s care. This information can also facilitate communication among the services involved. There is also a page to easily include your current prescription details.
Section 4: Useful Contacts
Conveniently store all your useful contacts in one place in order to easily access this information for yourself or by other caregivers. (Organizations listed in the handbook are based in the UK. For additional (and updated) resources, in the United States and Internationally, click on The Caregiver’s Voice RESOURCES for Caregivers for People with Dementia.)
Section 5: Personal Events and Calendar
List appointments, significant events, and other reminders with this multi-year calendar.
The Living Well with Dementia Handbook provides a great framework to get started compiling important information in one place where you and other caregivers and medical personnel can conveniently access important information. Again, this is created and adapted for a UK audience, but once you start you can always customize the format and information for your own needs. The important step is to get started.
Norm McNamara was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s shortly after age 50 and he his wife Elaine contributed to this handbook by the Devon Partnership-National Health Service Trust and the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation.
Norm writes (edited):
Living Well with Dementia Handbook was designed to help nurses, doctors, caregivers, and others to have the important information when a person has to go into hospital, care home, etc. The handbook is being piloted in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital this month [October 2011]. I am so very proud to be part of this right after the “What Works Cards” and it just shows and more importantly PROVES that things are changing for the better.
Please let me know what you think, it would be great if you could use this as a template in your hospitals and your area. Any questions as always, you know where I am!
Very best wishes,
Norrms, Elaine, and family
Thanks for the post or share information.
It was really helpful to solve my confusion.