Understanding Challenging Behaviors in Dementia: Assessment & Treatment Guide - Bradford Dementia Group Best Practices by Ian Andrew James (2011) | Essential Resource for Caregivers & Healthcare Professionals

I have used this book on several occasions within work to help gain insight into behaviours that challenge. It does not stipulate how to 'cure' these issues but gives a solid background into the potential causative factors for behaviours that create distress for care givers and those living with dementia. It is broken down into chapters that consider the cause and assessment of behaviours, service provision and development, use of psychotropic medication, non-pharmacological intervention, a specific clinical model and a chapter dedicated to case studies. Throughout the book there are many tables and flowcharts illustrating and surmising the information in each chapter and sub-chapter.The theory and ideas are grounded in person-centered, biopsychosocial approaches and malignant social psychology. It is very good at making you fully assess underlying factors that could be at work to cause individuals to display behaviours that challenge and includes several assessment tables that can be used as part of the assessment process. For anyone wanting to improve their own practice in reducing distressing occurrences this book is definitely worth a read and i imagine that service providers would find this useful when developing new strategies or creation of provision.This book has an extensive list of references that can be used alongside this book to gain a more detailed insight into this area of work but this is an excellent place to begin. Very recommended.