Book group: Support for family and friends

Readers tell us what they think about an updated guide for anyone who has a friend or relative with dementia.

Our book this time is a bit of a classic that’s recently been updated. Originally published seven years ago, Dementia: Support for family and friends is included in the Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia for libraries. It’s now been revised to make sure it’s as current as possible. 

Caroline Branney, who manages our Dementia Knowledge Centre, says, ‘The guide looks at dementia from many points of view, explaining how it affects the person diagnosed, as well as those around them, at home and in residential settings.’ 

‘It is very clearly structured,’ says Amanda Carroll, a reader in Lincolnshire who supports older people’s mental health. 

She says, ‘It’s written in layman’s language but with enough detail to allow a good depth of understanding about what this condition actually is, its causes and how it affects both the person and their family and carers.’ 

Dementia: Support for family and friends (second edition) by Dave Pulsford and Rachel Thompson

Readable style 

‘I really liked the style of the guide,’ says Caroline. ‘For a textbook, it is well sequenced and individual points are made in clear paragraphs and with lots of bullet points for easy reference. 

‘The content follows the progression of dementia, starting with an introduction to living with dementia including an explanation of different types, diagnosis and description of the disease, key questions and sources of support. The second half of the book then covers the different issues that arise as dementia progresses.’ 

A reader in Cumbria, A Sturges, says, ‘This is a highly readable and very helpful reference book addressing all stages of dementia and its many challenges. 

‘This book is an excellent resource to equip carers and others, as each chapter becomes relevant on their relative’s or friend’s dementia journey,’ says A Sturges.

‘My wife has visited people with advanced dementia in a retirement home for many years and she therefore read the chapter on advanced dementia first. The exercise where we are encouraged to close our eyes then open them and imagine you have no memory of what has happened before, the surroundings or the people helped her to understand the anxiety she witnesses on most visits. 

‘This book is an excellent resource to equip carers and others, as each chapter becomes relevant on their relative’s or friend’s dementia journey.’ 

Credible examples 

Caroline notes, ‘Although there is no specific chapter to represent the voice of people with dementia and their lived experience, people with dementia are included throughout with quotes and scenarios. This does give credibility to the information and makes it easier to relate to.’ 

‘People with dementia are included throughout with quotes and scenarios,’ says Caroline.

John Amos in Hertfordshire says, ‘It is very easy to follow and the examples from those living with the illness and/or family or friends do help to illustrate the points raised. It is well indexed and takes the reader through the aspects of dementia from the diagnosis to the end.’ 

Amanda agrees, ‘It covers every aspect from identifying, diagnosing, sources of support, early stage, managing changes as it progresses, challenges in behaviour, considering residential care, advanced stage and end of life.’ 

Every step 

‘The section on eating and drinking is particularly good,’ says Caroline, ‘as is the information about communication and the emphasis on finding appropriate social and leisure activities. 

‘The pages about the “challenges of hospital admission” are very topical and useful, as is the advice about continence – so important for the person’s wellbeing and sense of dignity.' 

‘A great, concise book that takes you through every step of the journey, with all the information you’ll need to know,’ says Amanda.

Caroline adds, ‘A brief conclusion raises the ongoing debate about the description “suffering from dementia” or “living with dementia” and is a good way to help readers reflect.’ 

Amanda says, ‘A great, concise book that takes you through every step of the journey, with all the information you’ll need to know.’ 

John adds, ‘I would suggest that it would be a very useful read for both those who have little knowledge of the progress of the disease and those who are well down the road.’ 

Dementia: Support for family and friends (second edition) by Dave Pulsford and Rachel Thompson (JKP 2019), 304 pages, £9.99, ISBN: 9781785924378. 

Your turn

We invite you to read Living with Alzheimer’s: A love story, by Robin Thomson (Instant Apostle 2020), 192 pages, £8.99, ISBN: 9781912726196. 

Let us know what you think about this memoir from a carer whose wife had dementia. Email us by 7 May 2020 so we can share it in our next magazine.

Let us know

Dementia together magazine: Apr/May 20

Dementia together magazine is for everyone in the dementia movement and anyone affected by the condition.
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Dementia together magazine is for everyone in the dementia movement and anyone affected by the condition.
Subscribe now
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