A Creative Toolkit For Communication In Dementia Care  (2015, Jessica Kingsley Publishers)

How can carers and relatives support a person's identity, relationships and emotional wellbeing through changes that occur in the later stages of dementia?
Karrie Marshall provides a toolkit of tried and tested creative activities to support communication and relationships. Activities are vast and varied, with outdoor activities such as bird-watching and star-gazing aimed at supporting physical health, artistic activities such as collage creation to support identity, and musical activities such as sounds and voice warm-ups to support self-expression.
Marshall also sensitively covers end of life care for people with dementia, explaining how emotional support can be provided through gentle breathing activities ... 

What readers say:

A Creative Toolkit for Communication in Dementia Care is a valuable resource for caregivers. You'll learn important tips for connecting and better communication with someone who has dementia. The book is inspirational, practical, and educational. It demonstrates how creative communications in caregiving can support the well-being of people with dementia. Berna Huebner, Founder and Director, Hilgos Foundation

As a person with dementia I know many of my peers will lose the ability to verbally communicate, but that does not mean we lose our intelligence. It is pleasing to know that the importance of non-verbal language is highlighted in this book. Ignorance, social isolation and boredom are issues we face. But by following the great advice in this book you will have the necessary toolkit to give people every opportunity to communicate and take part in worthwhile physical and mental activities that will bring hours of enjoyment for the person with dementia and, just as importantly, you the carer. Tommy Dunne

This book is outstanding-worth buying, worth borrowing from the library, worth reading carefully. 

Bob Khan

Puppetry in Dementia Care - Connecting Through Creativity and Joy (2013 Jessica Kingsley Publishers)

Even in the later stages - when memory, words or relationships are affected, it is possible for people with dementia to express emotions, imagination, humour, sensitivities and personal preferences. This book demonstrates the many ways in which puppetry and associated art forms such as singing and story-telling can be used in a person-centred way to create opportunities for these human responses to emerge.  

What Readers Say:

...The puppet or inanimate object has an innate power to communicate on a "soul level". A simple movement by an inanimate object fascinates us and can move us to tears without necessarily saying a word. Karrie puts it very aptly: we connect in the moment of 'now.  Gary Friedman - Gary Friedman Productions 

This book provides an excellent justification for the use of art, and more specifically puppetry, as a way of connecting with people with dementia who might otherwise have difficulties maintaining social interaction. Karrie Marshall has obviously researched her subject thoroughly and this book will be of use to anyone who has contact with people with dementia whether they are activity coordinators in care homes, formal carers or relatives  Dr Samantha Murphy - The Open University  (Death and Dying)

I recommend the book to practitioners especially those who use expressive/creative work; there are many tips. The book is relationship-centred... The author weaves research and practice together expertly with many helpful references and tips. Highly recommended. Person Centred Quarterly

Above all, it is the personal accounts Marshall uses to frame each chapter which lend the book its gravity - ...a non-verbal person with dementia exchanging words with a puppet; an unresponsive, disinterested individual finally interacting with the outside world through the use of animated silks...They are small moments, but deeply significant ones, made possible "...in the world of puppetry, where there is no pressure to remember anyone." Puppeteers UK

Keynote Speaking Engagements and Talks 

Over the past ten years I have given talks in Universities, Care Facilities, Community Settings and at Conferences as well as Keynote Speaking engagements -  in the UK, Canada, Japan and Sweden.

Past Topics included:

• Compassionate Communities - Death and Dying in Rural Highlands
• Compassionate Care
• Person Centred Care
• Connecting Through Creativity and Joyfulness

Past Presented Papers:

‘The Way It Was- staff stories and stories about staff’ K Marshall; Open University learning disability research group – Conference, Milton Keynes (2009)

 ‘Connecting Through Stories – creatively gathering and presenting sensitive stories about life in long-stay hospitals – a personal account ‘ K. Marshall,  Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability & OU Conference, Perth (2010)

Puppetry in health care settings’ K. Marshall, Hands On – Symposium on applied puppetry, The Little Angel Theatre (& CSSD), London (2011)

 ‘We told each other secrets when the lights went out – stories from Craig Phadrig and People First Highland’  – K. Marshall, Open University learning disability research group – Conference, Milton Keynes (2011)