FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:                February 1, 2010

Contacts:             Duane Girdner, 760-1210, G. Allen Power, M.D., F.A.C.P., 760-2639

DEMENTIA BEYOND DRUGS AN EYE-OPENER TO CULTURE CHANGE

 Local geriatrician and Eden Alternative educator Dr. G. Allen Power brings a radically different perspective to dementia care in his new book, DEMENTIA BEYOND DRUGS: CHANGING THE CULTURE OF CARE.

Using the framework of the culture change philosophy, this book constructs a radically different model for viewing dementia – one that rejects the usual biomedical approach and embraces more humanistic, enlightened practices.   Dr. Power challenges all care providers working with individuals with dementia to undertake a true operational change, to see elders not as patients who need prescribed medications to control their “troublesome” behaviors, but as human beings who deserve personal attention, respect and dignity. 

Dr. Power has scheduled a book signing at St. John’s Home, 150 Highland Avenue, on Thursday, February 11 from 2:30 – 4:00 pm in the fireplace area of the Hastings Building.

Steven R. Sabat, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, says, “This extremely important book directs our attention to the virtue and value of engaging individuals with dementia as people rather than cases to be managed with drugs.  Dr. Power’s deep appreciation of how a humane environment can help persons with dementia to flourish rather than to wither should be required reading for all involved with residential care.”

Dr. Power is a board-certified internist and geriatrician and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Rochester.  As a certified Eden Alternative Educator, Dr. Power serves as Eden Mentor at St. John’s Home, Rochester’s only registered Eden Alternative nursing home, where he has worked since 2000.  He is also a Fellow of the American College of Physicians – American Society of Internal Medicine.  He has practiced medicine for 25 years, the last 18 of which have been in long-term care and rehabilitation. 

For review copies, contact: Kristi Maxwell at Health Professions Press, 1-410-337-9585, ext 181, or kmaxwell@healthpropress.com.

St. John’s is a multi-level continuum of care for elders in Rochester.  St. John's Home is Rochester's only Eden Alternative nursing home. Located on an eight-acre campus on the corner of South and Highland Avenues, the Home provides rehabilitation, hospice and long term care to 475 residents.  St. John's Meadows, a senior living community, located on 35 acres in Brighton, offers a variety of independent and enhanced assisted living options.  St. John's Foundation develops financial resources for the family of St. John's services and programs, and supports other health-related programs for the aging in Rochester.   St. John’s also has programs providing services to people who continue living in their own homes, including Day Break adult day services and Traditions in Caring home health care.

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