In this book, Julian Hughes makes a powerful and compelling case for a revolution in the treatment of people with dementia. He underscores the need to summon immediately the personal and political will to engage people with dementia as people who respond positively to the solicitude and open engagement provided by those deemed healthy. Viewing dementia and ageing in the broad scope of human life, yet without romanticising illness, Hughes challenges professional and lay carers to open their minds and hearts to create what Buber called, “I-Thou” relationships with people diagnosed with dementia, so as to improve the lives of all concerned. He does this on philosophically, ethically, sophisticated grounds as a philosopher, on medically sophisticated grounds as an old age psychiatrist, and on aesthetically sophisticated grounds as a humane, spiritually alive human being. This book will benefit many audiences, including, perhaps most importantly, people with dementia.
Steven R. Sabat, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at Georgetown University and author of The Experience of Alzheimer's Disease: Life Through a Tangled Veil Julian Hughes uses a rich combination of science, law, history, ethics and philosophy to illustrate the complex nature of dementia and how we view it. Through a series of fascinating case studies illustrating real life complex scenarios, and with superb clarity of writing, he gently challenges our current approaches to people with dementia – above all emphasising the need to see through the narrow illness to the broader person within. An excellent and stimulating book.
John T. O'Brien, DM, F Med Sci, Foundation Professor of Old Age Psychiatry, University of Cambridge How We Think About Dementia is a book directed at professionals or people who are familiar with research and medical terminology... Hughes identifies ethical concerns through the use of case studies. Within these case studies, circumstances are shared that bring to light challenges that may be encountered by caregivers... Services, ethical considerations, methods and barriers to care are covered well in the book from a professional perspective... the majority of the book provides a sense of direction for professionals (medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists, etcetera) in caring for a patient with dementia.
Lynne Trevisan, Assistant Professor, College of Health, Human Services, and Sciences, Ashford University
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