Dementia Grief Therapy: A Guide for Health Professionals

This book expands on evidence-based, person-centered dementia care practice by offering the therapeutic essentials of a novel grief-based therapy including trauma informed yoga practices, and Dementia Grief Therapy (DGT). This therapy transcends the dementia divide: us (non-diagnosed) and them (diagnosed). Using physical activity as a shared common space. It begins from the perspective of the person diagnosed with dementia or behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) In this way, the reader comes to understand a therapeutic practice that acknowledges, validates and invites a whole mind-body grief integration process. At present, the concept of ＂dementia grief＂ objectifies the person diagnosed by focusing on grief for the person (as experienced and observed by others), rather than compassionately acknowledging the grief of the person.

Mindfully and methodically designed this book offers a therapy model to be delivered in community and residential settings, from general practitioners’ offices to home health care to memory care centers to day senior centers. It utilizes a biopsychosocial perspective, with models of change spanning the micro- (individual therapy practices) to macro (government policy considerations). Additionally, it is culturally oriented with globalized considerations of variations in dementia-grief experiences. An invaluable resource, this volume is relevant to students, academics, researchers, practitioners and policy makers.

Adrienne Ione, PsyD, combines dementia health, grief counseling, and functional fitness, as an integrative health practitioner, and is committed to joining people ages 65 and greater on their journey to explore, expand and extend their healthspan. She is a yogi who enjoys writing. She’s an active member of several professional organizations: Gerontological Society of America, International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, National Federation of Professional Trainers, Metro Parks Active Living and Community Wellness Council, and Dementia Friendly Cities. These are a few ways she plays. When not engaged in these ways, she enjoys paddleboarding, playing music, biking, drinking tea, painting, being in nature and quality time with her family.