Supporting a Family Member with Schizophrenia: Practical Strategies for Daily Living

Sean Kidd, Dawn I. Velligan, Natalie J. Maples

Foreword by Kim Mueser

Supporting a Family Member with Schizophrenia is a practical guide for families and other caregivers. The support strategies in the manual can help people with the illness to really engage in life—to be able to work, study, enjoy their leisure time and have meaningful relationships.

Topics in the manual include:

• developing a plan for introducing strategies to your relative
• suggestions for how to get started
• devices for recording and tracking your relative’s progress
• recommended supports—everything from reminder signs to calendars, checklists, alarms and other simple devices—displayed in illustrations of the home
• ideas for how to set up supports within the home—in the bathroom, bedroom, living and eating areas.

See the Cognitive Adaptive Training section on camh.ca for more. 
  

About the Authors

Dr. Sean Kidd is a clinical psychologist at CAMH and a clinician scientist in CAMH’s Complex Care and Recovery Program. He is also Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Dr. Kidd’s career has focused on research to improve services for people who are marginalized, particularly homeless youth and people with severe mental illness. He has been recognized internationally for his research into youth homelessness and for his extensive work in developing and testing psychiatric rehabilitation interventions for psychosis.

Dr. Dawn Velligan is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and chief of the Division of Community Recovery, Research and Training at UT Health San Antonio. Dr. Velligan’s internationally recognized research program focuses on developing and testing psychosocial treatments to improve functional outcomes in schizophrenia. She developed Cognitive Adaptation Training (CAT) as a unique form of treatment designed to help people with schizophrenia bypass the cognitive impairments associated with their illness and improve their overall functioning. Dr. Velligan has received grant funding from the National Institute of Health, from The National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, and from industry and private foundations.

Natalie Maples is a faculty specialist in the Department of Psychiatry, Division of Community Recovery, Research and Training at UT Health San Antonio. She has implemented CAT for people leaving an institutional setting and has trained thousands of clinicians around the world. She adapts psychosocial treatments developed within their division to special populations (e.g., medically fragile, elderly, people frequently hospitalized for mental illness) and has supervised therapists for nearly two decades.
  

Testimonials

"When my daughter developed schizophrenia in her late teens, it was an overwhelming time for our family. Fortunately once she was out of hospital, the CAT approach described in this guide helped her regain her confidence and get back into the swing of life. This guide is full of excellent tips, checklists, ideas and pictures—laying out clearly the simple steps to help your loved one get on the path to their goals."   —Louise Elder, mother 

"Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that can have life-altering effects on the individual and his or her family. In spite of these challenges, people with schizophrenia are capable of recovering a life of dignity, contributing to society and enjoying close relationships with others. Families have a reason to celebrate with the publication of this practical guide, a powerful tool for supporting the self-determination and independence of a loved one with schizophrenia or another mental illness."   —Kim Mueser, Clinical Psychologist and Professor, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University 

"This unique guide can help families work in tandem with their relative to make manageable changes to improve day-to-day functioning. Step-by-step instructions provide a variety of tools and strategies to help people living with schizophrenia be more autonomous by setting and working toward their own goals. With a strong emphasis on two-way communication, this guide can help families achieve a stronger and healthier family dynamic."   —Mary Alberti, Chief Executive Officer, Schizophrenia Society of Ontario.

This product is available in English only.

Ce produit est offert en anglais seulement.