Explorations in Dementia: Theoretical and Research Studies into the Experience of Remediable and Enduring Cognitive Losses

by Michael Bender

Overview

Based on the findings of in-depth research and on the author's long-standing experience of working with people with dementia, this ground-breaking book provides fresh perspectives and ideas for policy and practice. In the first part of this extensively referenced and up-to-date book, Michael Bender examines the scientific status of the terms 'dementia', 'Alzheimer's' and 'multi-infarct dementias' and concludes that there is little convincing scientific evidence to justify their continued use. He suggests that in order to develop adequate psychological and social models of dementia, a number of perspectives, such as the intrapsychic, the interpersonal and the contextual, need to be developed.

Drawing on contemporary theoretical concepts including multiple selves, personal construct theory, intrapsychic survival and the effect of historical and political factors on older people's well being, the author calls for a more positive and constructive approach to improving the lives of people with dementia. He emphasises the importance of the individual's social context; the problems they are facing and their reactions to those problems; their life history and interpersonal relationships and discusses the process of assessment, finally developing techniques that allow the person with dementia to describe their experience, helping to ameliorate cognitive losses.

Taking an honest look at what we really know about dementia and how we can learn more, this innovative book will make essential reading for medical and mental health practitioners, researchers and students working in the field.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781843100409
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	10/15/2002
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	6.26(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.87(d)

About the Author

Michael Bender is a consultant clinical psychologist and Head of Psychological Services to Older Adults in Plymouth Primary Care Trust. He lectures and publishes extensively on the psychology of old age and dementia, and is co-author of Understanding Dementia: The Man with the Worried Eyes, also available from Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Table of Contents

Introduction. Part I: The Scientific Status of the Standard Paradigm and its Implications. 1. The Scientific Status of the Standard Paradigm. 2. How is the Standard Paradigm Maintained? 3. The Effects of the Paradigm: The Rise of Memory Clinics. Part II: A Framework for Understanding the Individual. 4. How Can we Understand the Person Who is Experiencing Cognitive Loss(es)? Part III: Perspectives of Understanding. 5. Old in Britain Today. 6. Psychosocial Explanations of Disorientation. 7. Difficulties and Problems, with Sally Robbins. 8. Cycles of Negotiation. 9. The Context of Assessment: Before the Professionals. 10. The Client's Position. 11. Insight, ‘Inconsistency' and Selves. 12. Interpersonal and Intrapsychic Survival, with Sally Robbins. Part IV: Futures. 13. In Practice. 14. Ways Forward. 15. Entrances and Exits. Appendices. References. Index.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Daniel Loiterstein, MD (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: As research into dementia continues, researchers consider novel constructs to frame the syndrome. In this book, new theory about the psychological aspects of loss of cognition is presented.
Purpose: Creating a psychological explanation of dementia is the ambitious task undertaken in creating this book. In the introduction, the author acknowledges his daunting mission is limited by the current information about neuroscience and dementia. Despite the challenge, the book fills a void in the literature minimally investigated by others.
Audience: The book is appropriate for medical and mental health practitioners, researchers, and students working in the field. Much of the book is filled with primary research and theory. Clinicans may find some of the information too esoteric to influence their practice. The author is an experienced clinician and researchers in the field.
Features: The book is divided into four sections. The first covers the status of the current paradigm in dementia research. The second section provides a framework for understanding an individual with dementia. Next, the author provides his perspectives on the evaluation and treatment of dementia in modern practice. In the last section, the author proposes future directions for the understanding the psychological aspects of dementia. The book is filled with numerous tables and figures that add value and substance.
Assessment: This is a fresh addition to the literature about dementia. The psychology of loss of cognition is an overlooked subject. In this book are some original ideas that deserve further investigation.

Doody's Review Service

This academic book looks at the psychology of dementia and questions the validity of the terms such as "Alzheimer's", "dementia" and "multi-infarct dementias". The author proposes techniques that allow the person with dementia to describe the experience, helping to ameliorate cognitive losses.

Ageing Matters

This book [is] a valuable resource for specialist dementia care nurses, therapists and social care workers, for university lecturers and could be usefully included in reading lists for formal education programmes most probably at masters' level.

Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice

Explorations of Dementia is an in-depth and challenging work that will reward the professional reader.

Age Action Ireland

An approachable and stimulating read for practitioners, researchers, students, indeed anyone working in the field of dementia.

The Journal of Dementia Care

I can strongly recommend this thoughtful text as essential reading for health care professionals who are keen to understand the experiences of people with "remediable or enduring cognitive losses" and how they can be helped.

London Centre for Dementia Care News

This book [is] a valuable resource for specialist dementia care nurses, therapists and social care workers, for university lecturers and could be usefully included in reading lists for formal education programmes most probably at masters' level.

Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice

3 Stars from Doody