Dementia Reconsidered: the Person Comes First Paperback – January 15, 1997

The author attempts to convey an approach to the treatment and care of dementia patients which is strength based and life enhancing. Unfortunately it is out of keeping with the primarily profit based motivations of the traditional Long Term Care Facility. As a consulting geriatric psychologist I attempt to introduce principles derived from the authors work in my consultations. It has been helpful and often futile. The latter because it's impossible to encourage a CENA to spend just a few minutes actually working to develop a relationship with one of her patients for the patients benefit when she has 12 to 15 patients to care for on an 8 hour shift.This is, I hope, a guidepost for the future of dementia care. But only if we as a society decide human quality of life is at least as important as " the bottom line".

Good book--but more for those who are policy makers or have the power to design/staff Alzheimer's facilities. In a way, the book is depressing for care givers of Alzheimer's patients, as the facilities described as more ideal for "the person[dementia patient] coming first" really don't exist.This book probably should be read by lawmakers, policymakers, and those who run facilities that care for dementia patients. If it could make a difference in their care, that would be wonderful. The current business, for-profit model is not exactly caring nor in the best interests of patients or their loved ones.It's an academic book--research based and not self-help or "how to" book for caregivers, but it is an important book.

Kitwood brings his combined experience as an academic psychologist and loving approach to care giving to shift the paradigm of what can be done for dementia care. He argues that by focusing more on the psycho-social reality of the individual and less on the inevitability of biological decline, dementia patients can live with more dignity and equanimity. While the book is written primarily for care givers and their teachers, I found it very helpful in changing my attitude and approach to my mother, who is suffering from serious dementia.

Tom Kitwood offers a refreshing and urgent call for truly "person-centered" care of the elderly - especially those with dementia. He describes a revolutionary and crucially important transformation of the way we take care of the our elders as they lose cognitive capacities. His ideas are supported by scientific research, theoretical concepts and many case stories. This is a must read for everyone who cares about any person who has dementia or may develop dementia, and anyone who works (in any capacity) with people who have dementia.

Tom KItwood's book should be required reading for anyone dealing with relatives suffering from dementia. In addition it should be required for the facilities and the care givers who deal with dementia and Alzheimer patients. Perhaps we should all read it in preparation for what may happen to us, and to make sure that the care-givers and care homes tending to dementia patients will be using the "Kitwood" method of kindness.

I had read an article that gave this book huge props, so I was very interested in reading it. While I like some of the ideas in it, I'm having to work hard to get through it. Also, I think it was WAY overpriced. I guess I was expecting more with the price I paid. It should be a $10 book.

The book is more for adult day care management who run facilities. If you need help understanding what your love one is going throught and how best to help this is not the first book you should read.

It's not a new book, but Kitwood's program for insightful and kind dementia care is powerful in a way I haven't seen elsewhere. it's ambitious, very, but as a caregiver of 10 years' hands-on experience I found it wonderfully supportive. And illuminating!

Having supported some one full time with dementia. I wanted to know some of the history behind present day thinking on dementia (Alzheimers). Kitson was obviously a forward thinker!

Good book for explaining how dementia effects people and giving practitioners and others practical advice for working with / or caring for people with dementia.Kitwood considers the individual and advocates recognising the humanity of people with dementia and not just their illness.

This book was of great help to me and my family because we had members of our family suffering with Dementia but not just this I found the book great while trying to understand this condition myself would say you would find this book off great help.

Still the definitive work on person-centred 'positive person work' in dementia based ultimately on Martin Buber's concept of I-thou relationships.

Excellent reading at the the time - as I had a relative who was suffering with this condition and it helped explain a lot of aspects of the condition