embracing information technology with just as muchenthusiasm as the young and for good reasons – they haveso much to gain and in areas that are crucial to them. If weconsider this book from a political perspective, we canargue that it outlines the building blocks of a transforma-tion or a revolution that is changing the experience ofageing, enabling older people to be better integrated inmainstream society.

Celia Romm LivermoreSchool of Business Administration, Wayne State University,Detriot, Michigan, USA

A loving approach to dementia care: Making meaningfulconnections with the person who has Alzheimer’sDisease or other dementia or memory lossLaura Wayman. The John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore,2011. 112 pp. ISBN 13: 978-1-4214-0034-1. ISBN-101-4214-0034-0. A$22.95 (soft cover). Available from http://www.press.jhu.edu

Laura Wayman holds an associate in arts degree in gerontol-ogy and has over a decade of experience in, and a strongdedication to, quality ageing. She is the resident dementiaexpert and grant writer for Seniors First and CEO of theDementia Whisperers. Although the author’s experiencerelates to her work in the USA, the book is easily adapted tothe Australasian situation. Where American organisationsare mentioned it is easy to convert these to similar organisa-tions in Australasia.

This book will serve well as an easy-to-read guide for either afamily member caring for a relative or partner with dementiaor a paid care worker. In simple language it provides infor-mation about Alzheimer’s disease: its causes, warning signs,likely manifestations and differences from other forms ofdementia and memory loss. The author then proceeds todemonstrate how understanding memory loss from theperson with dementia’s point of view can assist the carer inresponding in ways that are conducive to gaining coopera-tion to get through the challenges of daily routines.

The format of the book supports its value as a learningopportunity. Early chapters provide a brief case study toemphasise an issue, which is followed by a section titled‘Lessons Learned’ and by another titled ‘Perceptions andApproaches’. Strategies to counter difficult behaviours makesense to the reader in light of the case study and outcomes.

There is a danger that the reader may tire of the format. Buteven if a reader gives up on one chapter due to lack of interestin that particular issue, nothing is lost, as the book may beused as a reference as different issues arise in the caringrelationship. The format of the book further assists this withthe excellent chapter, ‘Lessons, perceptions and approaches:A reader’s guide’, which contains a synopsis of every case

study, and its lessons and approaches. This is very useful infinding again the exact story and strategies that are relevantas the carer and care-recipient continue on their journey.

The references and the index are extensive and useful. Thisbook provides valuable information in a manner accessible toeither a family member caring for a relative with dementia ora paid care worker, and lends itself for use as an ongoingreference.

Shirley AndersonHomeshare Australia and New Zealand Alliance Inc.(HANZA); and Homeshare Reference Group in Victoria,Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Practical person-centred approaches and ideas: Thecreative arts in dementiaJill Hayes with Sarah Povey. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Londonand Philadelphia, 2011. 157 pp. ISBN 978-1-84905-056-2. £18.99.

This book is a timely and valuable contribution to thegrowing literature regarding creative arts therapies in aperson-centred approach to dementia care and is particularlyrelevant to the current provision of care in Australia. Hayesand Povey regularly remind us that the creative arts offerpeople with dementia an opportunity to live ‘stimulating andfull lives’. They suggest that the arts offer people with demen-tia an invitation to consider their creative potential and achance for a dignified ending to their lives. Undergirding theentire book is the deep seated belief that creative arts thera-pies are not optional extras to be offered over and abovebasic care for physical needs. Rather, the creative arts shouldbe an integral component of offering truly person-centreddementia care.

Hayes and Povey begin the book by acknowledging a desireto transform the care and treatment of dementia, ‘bringinghumanity back to those who are sometimes considered asbeyond help and reach’. They go on to explore some of theways in which creative arts can reach people and describeactivities that can be ‘applied by anyone who is ready to givecreativity a go’. This is by no means a definitive or exhaustivelist of creative approaches but is a glimpse into the actualpractice of this way of working. It is heartening to see thatmany of these suggested activities are actually for staff toengage with themselves. The authors remind us that, ‘weneed to reach our own creative hearts to work flexibly andacceptingly with the difficult and challenging situationswhich dementia provokes’. In saying this they are remindingus that being open to the experience of another is borne outof the acceptance of our own experience within the creativeprocess.

It is particularly encouraging to read about the value of staffengaging in reflective practice through the creative arts.‘Dementia care can be exhausting . . . (and) we need to find

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strong resources in ourselves in order to meet the challengesof such work’. The book recounts the experience of staffmembers who were willing to engage in the creative artsalongside one another in reflective practice and therebyencourages the reader to consider the value of attending totheir own emotional and creative responses when workingwith people with dementia. ‘Expression without judgement’is as relevant for staff and family members as it is for thoseliving with dementia.

The authors make the very valid point that ‘Quality care isinextricably linked to the resourcing of care’. They remindus that being person-centred in our approach to creativearts therapies will entail allowing times of ‘inactivity, still-ness, listening and witnessing in the midst of the creativeprocess’. Not only does this require a staff member tohave confidence that is borne from their own experience

with the creative process, but they will also need the timeto allow this process to unfold. Healthy staffing ratios arecritical to the delivery of quality person-centred creativearts therapies.

Although this book relies strongly on examples from musicand movement, the undergirding theories can be equallyapplied to all expressions of creative arts therapies. I wouldstrongly recommend it as a practical and inspiring resourcefor those who seek to work in this way with people who areliving with dementia.

Libby ByrneArt Therapy Placement Liaison, School of Public Health,Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University,Melbourne, Victoria, Australia© 2011 La Trobe University

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