Review of "Dementia"
By June AndrewsProfile Books, 2015
Review by Christian Perring on Oct 20th 2015
There are is a growing number of books about dementia and the challenges that families face when a loved one has Alzheimer's or a similar neurological disorder. This one is focused on the situation in the UK, although much of the advice Andrews gives would also apply to people in other countries. But the information about the health care service is specific to the UK. June Andrews writes from a position of experience, knowing a lot about how the system works in the UK, from the National Health Service, the social services, care homes, and the complaints process.
The first part of the book, describing dementia and Alzheimer's and its effect on carers, and it is useful but standard information that is fairly easy to find elsewhere. Andrews illustrates her points with frequent vignettes from real life, which make it easier to grasp the main ideas. The discussion of the issues is useful and Andrews has plenty of good tips. It is not exhaustive, and not everyone will agree with everything she says. But certainly the advice is based on a wealth of experience and will be useful for most people.
The second part of the book will only really be useful to those living in the UK, but for them, it will be especially useful and it will be hard to find it elsewhere. Andrews has a thorough knowledge of how the NHS works and the problems that often occur. She knows the weaknesses of the system and the way it often fails those with dementia, so she knows what people should look for. She also knows how families can act to minimize the dangers to patients with Alzheimer's by acting on their behalf. Her advice about how to keep people out of hospitals, which she regards as often dangerous places for people with dementia. Her tips about identifying problems with care homes and finding ones that are a good fit for one's love one are especially useful.
So while Dementia: The One-Stop Guide has a limited potential readership, those in the UK who either have early stage dementia, or have family members with dementia will find this book essential reading. Highly recommended.
Link: Available through Amazon.co.uk: Dementia: The One-Stop Guide: Practical advice for families, professionals, and people living with dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
© 2015 Christian Perring
Christian Perring, Professor of Philosophy, Dowling College, New York
Resources
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Articles
- Introduction & Causes of Cognitive Disorders
- Dementia
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Alzheimer's Disease
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Prevalence and Causes of Alzheimer's Disease
- Causes of Alzheimer's Disease Continued
- Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease
- Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
- Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease
- Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
- Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease - Imaging Procedures and Psychological Evaluation
- Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease - Neuropsychological Testing
- Treatment of Cognitive and Behavioral Symptoms associated with Alzheimer's Disease
- Research and Prognosis on Alzheimer's Disease
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Other Cognitive Disorders
- Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder
- Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder Continued
- Lewy Body Dementia
- Symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Lewy Body Dementia
- Reversible Cognitive Disorder - Dementia Syndrome of Depression
- Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
- Reversible Cognitive Disorder - Delirium
- Prevention of Dementia and Other Cognitive Disorders
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Dementia Coping Skills & Behavior Management
- Coping Skills for Those With Dementia
- Coping Skills for Dementia Caregivers
- Services for Dementia Caregivers
- Communication Tips for Dementia Caregivers
- Behavioral Management for Dementia Caregivers
- Behavioral Management for Dementia Caregivers Continued
- Tips for Dealing with Specific Dementia Problematic Behaviors
- Tips for Dealing with Specific Dementia Problematic Behaviors Continued
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Conclusion and Resources
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- Alive with Alzheimer's
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- Days With My Father
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- How We Think About Dementia
- Inside Assisted Living
- Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer's Disease
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- When It Gets Dark
- When Someone You Know Is Living in a Dementia Care Community
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- New Definition of Alzheimer’s Changes How Disease Is Researched
- Lewy Body Dementia: Most Common Disorder You’ve Never Heard Of
- Living With Traumatic Brain Injury
- Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease
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- Seeing Alzheimer's in a New Way
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- Neurology: Testing for Alzheimer's
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- Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Training: Agitation and Anxiety
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Training: Aggressive Language/Behavior
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Training: Sleep Disturbances
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Training: Repetitive Phone Calls
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Training: Home Safety
- Best Practices & Emerging Therapies for Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
- Recognizing the Early Signs of Dementia
- Effective Treatments and Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease: The Time is Now - Research on Aging
- Dementia – it affects us all
- Falls Prevention in People with Dementia
- Caregiver Training Part I: Introduction
- Caregiver Training Part II: Hallucinations
- Caregiver Training Part III: Refusal to Bathe
- Caregiver Training Part IV: Refusal to Take Medication
- Caregiver Training Part V: Repetitive Behaviors
- Caregiver Training Part VI: Repetitive Questions
- Caregiver Training Part VII: Sundowning
- Caregiver Training Part VIII: Wandering
- The Benefits of Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease
- A New Way To Look At Alzheimer's
- The Healing Power of Music
- Falls Prevention in People with Dementia
- Falls Prevention in People with Dementia
- Protecting & Caring for Patients with Dementia
- Dementia 101 in 101 Seconds
- Normal and Abnormal Aging and the Brain
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease
- Aggressive Behavior in People with Dementia
- Diagnosing Alzheimer’s
- Signs of Alzheimer’s
- Practical Tips for Travelling with a Loved One with Alzheimer's Disease
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