Dementia: The Basics provides the reader with a clear and compassionate introduction to dementia and an accessible guide to dealing with different parts of the dementia journey, from pre-diagnosis and diagnosis to post-diagnostic support, increasing care needs and end of life care.
Co-authored by an academic, a person living with dementia and a family carer, the book endeavours to raise awareness of dementia, challenge stereotypical and negative ideas about what it means to have dementia and champion a society where people living with dementia can be active as they wish for as long as possible. The authors present an overview of current research at each step of the dementia journey as well as including knowledge from lived experience, enhancing understanding and challenging thinking about what it might be like to live with a diagnosis or to care for a loved one. As a whole, the book emphasises the importance of prioritising the person living with dementia, as well as considering the impact of what any initiative or action might mean for them, their families and their care supporters.
Offering both an accessible introduction to dementia and practical tools, this book will be ideal for health and social care professionals, students of social care, health care and nursing, people with dementia, carers and anyone wanting to understand more about the condition.
Section 1 Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Pre-diagnosis
Chapter 3: Diagnosis of dementia
Section 2 Introduction
Chapter 4: Post-diagnostic support for the person living with dementia
Chapter 5: The post-diagnostic support needs of family members and friends who provide care and support
Chapter 6: Supporting the person living with dementia and their care supporter together
Section 3 Introduction
Chapter 7: Care need transitions in the journey with dementia
Chapter 8: End of Life Care
Chapter 9: Conclusion
Biography
Anthea Innes, BA, MSc, PhD, is Professor of Dementia and Coles-Medlock Director of the Salford Institute for Dementia, University of Salford, UK. She is a social scientist who has specialised in researching the experiences of dementia and how to bring about change and improvements in dementia care for the last 25 years.
Lesley Calvert lives with Alzheimer's disease and is an associate at the Salford Institute for Dementia, UK. She is a member of the local Dementia Champion group and a facilitator at the Open Doors Network in Salford; she is also part of the 3 Nations Dementia Working Group.
Gail Bowker has been an unpaid carer since 2010. She is a strong voice in the dementia arena in Greater Manchester, UK, and sits on several local strategic boards and committees. She is a passionate advocate for carers’ rights.
From the first stages of ‘something doesn’t seem quite right’ through to diagnosis, care and support and finally to end of life, dementia can be a frightening and bewildering experience for the person with dementia and for friends, family, carers and everyone affected by this life changing condition. This book, a unique collaboration between academia and lived experience achieves its aim to enhance our understanding, challenge our thinking and provide practical help. The real life portraits described by Lesley and Gail are personal, brave and compelling. Their determination to respect the wishes of those they love is inspiring and Anthea Innes’ deep commitment to designing services which truly reflect the needs of people living with dementia shines through.
Rt Hon Hazel Blears, Alzheimer’s Ambassador
