Although we can't currently offer a cure for Alzheimer's, we can provide better information and advice to people with the disease (and their caregivers) to help improve their ability to live and cope with this challenging disease. This groundbreaking book shows how to start making a difference during the initial evaluation and beyond. Treating every assessment as more than a simple diagnostic process, Whole Person Dementia Assessment sets the stage for more constructive interventions, better care, and a higher quality of life throughout the disease process by providing a richer understanding of the person and the way the disease is affecting him or her. Blending traditional clinical evaluation procedures with more person-centered approaches, Whole Person Dementia Assessment shows how to assess a person's cognitive deficits while also discovering and emphasizing remaining strengths and abilities. Best-practice assessment tools are recommended and provided, including a comprehensive, whole-person interview form. Backed by solid research findings, Dr. Benjamin T. Mast demonstrates that geriatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and long-term care providers who incorporate methods such as personal interviews, life review, and validation into their assessment processes, will substantially improve their ability to * Develop rapport with the person and family members * Collect more in-depth and valid assessment results * Identify cognitive and behavioral strengths and weaknesses * Recommend interventions With Whole Person Dementia Assessment, professionals who care about the well-being of their patients and residents can now provide more productive consultations that will result in better outcomes. Take advantage of this new opportunity to help lighten the burden of a devastating disease.