Introducing life story work, a way for people with dementia to connect with their relatives, carers and the professionals working with them. This evidence-based book explains the many benefits of life story work, with practical guidance for introducing it in a variety of settings. The authors show how life story work can empower people with dementia to inform care practitioners and family members what care and support they may need now and in the future, by taking into account their past and their future wishes and aspirations. The book includes practical information on how to get started, ethical considerations such as consent and confidentiality, and considers issues of diversity and how to address them. The voices of practitioners, researchers and family carers sit alongside those of people living with dementia to present a wide-range of perspectives on life story work. Polly Kaiser has worked with people with dementia since 1984, first as a researcher in England and France and subsequently as a clinical psychologist. She was the National Lead for Mental Health in Later Life for the National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU - 2009-2011). She was a founding director of the National Life Story Network. She is a consultant clinical psychologist in Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and is an honorary lecturer at the University of Manchester doctoral training program for clinical psychologists. Ruth Eley is a qualified social worker and former deputy Director of Social Services. As the former National Programme Lead for Older People and Dementia in the Department of Health she contributed to the development of the English National Dementia Strategy and led its implementation support. She is a trustee of a Housing Association in Wales. Rachel Thompson is Dementia Project Lead for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and is an Admiral Nurse with Dementia UK. Both have significant experience of nursing in dementia care in practice, research, teaching, and professional writing in this field. |