Living with Dementia February 2009

By Janet Baylis, Manager of the Dementia Knowledge Centre

We all know how important access to good information about dementia is and how difficult it can be to find it. Borrowing books from a public library is an obvious place to look, but how many books about dementia do they actually stock?

2008 was a breakthrough year for the number of good books published about dementia. With your help, we could spread the word and encourage libraries to make some of them available in your local area.

The idea is for you to take this month's copy of Living with Dementia magazine into your library and ask the staff if they already have the books listed below. If they don't have copies available, ask for them to be bought for stock. You can say they have been recommended by Alzheimer's Society, that you would like to read them and know that other people will want to read them too.

Here are details of the three books selected by the Dementia Knowledge Centre at Alzheimer's Society's central office.

Alzheimer's and other dementias: answers at your fingertips by Harry Cayton et al; 3rd edition.
This book is a useful quick reference guide which will equip people with the knowledge to help them understand dementia. The book provides answers to 276 questions from people with dementia and carers about the realities of the condition.
Published by Class Publishing (2008). Price: £14.95; ISBN: 9781859591482; website http://www.class.co.uk/

And still the music plays - stories of people with dementia by Graham Stokes
This is a collection of stories about people with dementia whom the author has encountered during his work as a clinical psychologist. It is written for anyone but will appeal to both professional and family carers who want to know more about dementia and understand why people with dementia behave in the way that they do.
Published by Hawker (2008). Price: £9.99; ISBN: 9781874790884;

Losing Clive to younger onset dementia - one family's story by Helen Beaumont.
Clive Beaumont was diagnosed with younger onset dementia at the age of 45, when his children were just three and four. Their story is written by his wife, Helen, for people with dementia, their family and friends and for the professionals working with them.
Published by Jessica Kingsley (2008). Price: £12.99; ISBN: 9781843104803; website http://www.jkp.com/

We urge you to get involved yourself and get others involved too by passing on the idea to family and friends who use libraries. Your participation will help to send out the right messages and make good practical information about dementia accessible to a wider audience.

Find out how you can become a member and receive your regular Living with Dementia magazine in the post every month

Read our monthly book review