Successfully implement this relationship-centered approach to dementia care that builds on the essential elements of friendship—respect, empathy, support, trust, and humor.
For decades the acclaimed Best Friends™ approach has been widely recognized for helping people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias experience meaningful engagement and dignity in all aspects of their lives. In this completely revised and expanded second edition, care partners learn how to apply the core principles of the approach through practical tips and instructive examples of Best Friends in action. An all-new section also provides a roadmap for creating and sustaining a Best Friends program.
Become familiar with:
The building blocks of the approach, including the Dementia Bill of Rights and the concept of relationship-centered care
The core tenets of Best Friends: the Life Story, skilled communication, and caregiving Knack
New approaches to minimizing challenging behaviors and to creating activities that produce true engagement
How to use Best Friends in a variety of care settings
Effective ways to involve families and volunteers
An approach that’s embraced around the world!
Make each day reassuring, enjoyable, and secure for the people in your care with this simple, compassionate approach to dementia care.
Virginia Bell, M.S.W., was one of the most influential thought leaders in the field of dementia care over the last four decades, who continued right up to the time of her passing in 2023 to improve the lives of people with dementia and their caregivers. Her Best Friends™ model of dementia care transforms attitudes in care institutions and among families about a debilitating disease. An author, speaker, and advocate, her work has profoundly influenced the lives of untold individuals, and her Best Friends approach to dementia care continues to be adopted world-wide by care programs.
She lectured widely on Alzheimer’s disease at national and international conferences, speaking at the National Education Conferences of the Alzheimer’s Association and lecturing at the conferences of Alzheimer’s Disease International. She has published journal articles and book chapters, notably in Dementia Care: Patient, Family and Community (John Hopkins, 1989). Many of her articles have been reprinted numerous times: “The Alzheimer’s Disease Bill of Rights” (1994), “The Other Face of Alzheimer’s Disease” (1999) and “Spirituality and the Person with Dementia” (2001), co-authored with David Troxel and published in the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and in Alzheimer’s Care Quarterly. She has also co-authored six books with David Troxel, beginning with The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer’s Care. She received her M.S.W. from the University of Kentucky in 1982.
Based in northern California, David Troxel, M.P.H., is nationally and internationally known for his expertise in the fields of dementia & long-term care. He has co-authored (with Virginia Bell) six influential books, including his newest book, and written numerous articles relating to dementia care and staff development and training. He is a writer, trainer, and long-term care consultant who has spoken at over 500 conferences including keynote presentations at various U.S., Canadian, and international conferences. He served for a decade as the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara (California) Alzheimer’s Association (1994-2004). He also helped support his mother, Dorothy, in her 10-year journey living with Alzheimer’s disease. David’s areas of expertise include best care practices for persons with dementia, caregiver support, staff training, and long-term care program development. More information about David’s work can be found on his website at www.bestfriendsapproach.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bestfriendsapproach.
About the Authors
Acknowledgments
Preface: Our Best Friends Journey
Introduction
PART 1. The Best Friends™ Approach
Starting with the Person: The Life Story and Human Rights
Life Story of Rebecca Matheny Riley
The Best Friends Dementia Bill of Rights
Introducing the Best Friends Approach
Building Blocks of the Best Friends Approach
How Friendship Works in the Context of Dementia Care
PART 2. Best Friends in Your Care Setting
The Life Story
Preparing the Life Story
Ingredients of the Life Story
How to Use the Life Story
Best Practices for Enhancing Preparation of the Life Story in Your Dementia Program
The Best Friends Approach to Communication
How Best Friends Communicate
Communicating Skillfully
The Knack
Elements of Knack
Knack in Dementia Care
The Calendar Is Just the Beginning: Celebrating Activities with Engagement
The Purpose of Activities
Activities versus Engagement
Activities Done the Best Friends Way
Getting Started Putting Your Knack to Work
Best Friends and Behavior That Is Challenging for Staff
Empathy Is the Key
Creative Problem Solving to Address Behaviors in Dementia
Intimacy and Sexuality in Dementia
Protecting Yourself from Aggression
Avoiding Judgmental Language
Bring It All Together: Patricia Estill
PART 3: Creating and Sustaining a Best Friends Program
