Designated a Doody's Core Title!

“The authors have created a book that comfortably combines substantial research findings with readable, practical guidelines for assessment and intervention in the real-world practice of social work. This authoritatively researched, well-written volume will appeal to the multiple disciplines involved in assisting dementia patients and their families. It will also be useful for academic health care collections…Highly recommended.”--Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries

Understanding the role of dementia caregivers in different ethnic and cultural contexts is one of the most important skills that social workers should master. This comprehensive volume provides practical guidance for social work professionals who work with Black and Latino families living with the daily challenges of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. It is grounded in the interpretation and meaning of dementia in Black and Latino cultural heritages, and based on both a solid theoretical framework and the substantial research and clinical expertise of the authors.

Detailed, step-by-step guidelines to assessment and intervention in ethnic-specific situations provide useful strategies that go beyond generic solutions. The text presents an overview of the epidemiology and clinical course of dementia with a focus on those forms of the disease most common to Blacks and Latinos. It addresses family care and role responsibilities in ethnic families and their theoretical, ethnic, and cultural foundations. Self-efficacy and cognitive behavioral problem-solving theories are discussed as modalities of choice. The text also considers financial and service delivery trends and use of technology, and provides detailed forms, documents, and dementia care resources. Numerous case studies will help readers to quickly put information into the context of real-world situations.

Key Features:

Provides concrete, targeted interventions for assisting ethnic family caregivers in confronting day-to-day issues Explains how and why self-efficacy and cognitive behavioral problem-solving theories are particularly useful for social work with ethnic family caregivers Offers detailed, step-by-step guidelines to assessment and intervention Includes problem-solving forms, documents, and additional dementia care resourcesContains vivid supporting case studies in each chapter

Richard H Fortinsky