This book puts the critical into dementia studies. It makes a timely and novel contribution to the field, offering a thought-provoking critique of current thinking and debate on dementia. Collectively the contributions gathered together in this text make a powerful case for a more politically engaged and critical treatment of dementia and the systems and structures that currently govern and frame it. The book is inter-disciplinary and draws together leading dementia scholars alongside dementia activists from around the world. It frames dementia as first and foremost a political category. The book advances both theoretical and methodological thinking in the field as well as sharing learning from empirical research. Outlining the limits to existing efforts to frame and theorise the condition, it proposes a new critical movement for the field of dementia studies and practice. The book will be of direct interest to researchers and scholars in the field of dementia studies and wider fields of health, disability and care. It will provide a novel resource for students and practitioners in the fields of dementia, health care and social care. The book also has implications for dementia policymaking, commissioning and community development. The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

This book offers the first ever critical history of dementia studies. Focusing on the emergence of dementia studies as a discrete area of academic interest in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, it draws on critical theory to interrogate the very notion of dementia studies as an entity, shedding light on the affinities and contradictions that characterise the field. Drawing together a collection of internationally renowned experts in a variety of fields, including people with dementia, this volume includes perspectives from education, the arts, human rights and much more. This critical history sets out the shared intellectual space of ‘dementia studies’, from which non-medical dementia research can progress. The book is intended for researchers, academics and students of dementia studies, social gerontology, disability, chronic illness, health and social care. It will also appeal to activists and practitioners engaged in social work and caregiving involved in dementia research.

This book explores how dementia studies relates to dementia’s growing public profile and corresponding research economy. The book argues that a neuropsychiatric biopolitics of dementia positions dementia as a syndrome of cognitive decline, caused by discrete brain diseases, distinct from ageing, widely misunderstood by the public, that will one day be overcome through technoscience. This biopolitics generates dementia’s public profile and is implicated in several problems, including the failure of drug discovery, the spread of stigma, the perpetuation of social inequalities and the lack of support that is available to people affected by dementia. Through a failure to critically engage with neuropsychiatric biopolitics, much dementia studies is complicit in these problems. Drawing on insights from critical psychiatry and critical gerontology, this book explores these problems and the relations between them, revealing how they are facilitated by neuro-agnostic dementia studies work that lacks robust biopolitical critiques and sociopolitical alternatives. In response, the book makes the case for a more biopolitically engaged "neurocritical" dementia studies and shows how such a tradition might be realised through the promotion of a promissory sociopolitics of dementia.

The conceptualization of dementia has changed dramatically in recent years with the claim that, through early detection and by controlling several risk factors, a prevention of dementia is possible. Although encouraging and providing hope against this feared condition, this claim is open to scrutiny. This volume looks at how this new conceptualization ignores many of the factors which influence a dementia sufferers’ prognosis, including their history with education, food and exercise as well as their living in different epistemic cultures. The central aim is to question the concept of prevention and analyze its impact on aging people and aging societies.

Traditionally, the most preferred social research methods in dementia studies have been interviews, focus groups and non-participant observations. Most of these methods have been used for a long time by researchers in other social research fields, but their application to the field of dementia studies is a relatively new phenomenon. A ground-breaking book, Social Research Methods in Dementia Studies shows researchers how to adapt their methods of data collection to address the individual needs of someone who is living with dementia. With an editorial team that includes Ann Johnson, a trained nurse and person living with dementia, this enlightening volume mainly draws its contents from two interdisciplinary social research teams in dementia, namely the Center for Dementia Research [CEDER] at Linköping University in Norrköping, Sweden and the Dementia and Ageing Research Team [DART] at The University of Manchester in Manchester, UK. Case examples are shared in each of the main chapters to help ground the social research method(s) in a real-life context and provide direction as to how learning can be applied to other settings. Chapters also contain key references and recommended reading. This volume will appeal to undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as postdoctoral researchers, interested in fields such as: Research Methods, Qualitative Methods and Dementia Studies.

"The book will be valuable for undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers and lecturers involved in the field of dementia care and the health-care sciences. Furthermore, it provides a useful resource for clinicians who wish to explore their understanding of 'personhood', person-centred care and the nature of Kitwood's critical appraisal of how 'care' should be constructed and delivered." Ageing and Society "Baldwin and Capstick have produced an honest appraisal that is undeniably a reader and critical commentary, and have not shirked from any responsibilities. ... This paperback would serve two distinct strands of readership equally well - those coming afresh to dementia care, or practitioners steeped in the concepts, who are looking to reanalyse and consider future developments. As such, it is difficult to underestimate its value." Nursing in Practice How does Kitwood’s work contribute to our understanding of ‘the dementing process’ and the essentials of quality care? How was Kitwood’s thinking about dementia influenced by the wider context of his work in theology, psychology and biochemistry? What is the relevance today of key themes and issues in Kitwood’s work? Tom Kitwood was one of the most influential writers on dementia of the last 20 years. Key concepts and approaches from his work on person-centred care and well-being in dementia have gained international recognition and shaped much current thinking about practice development. The complexities of Kitwood’s work and the development of his thinking over time have, however, received less attention. This Reader brings together twenty original publications by Kitwood which span the entire period of his writing on dementia, and the different audiences for whom he wrote. Almost ten years after Kitwood’s death, it is now timely to review his contribution to the field of dementia studies in the light of more recent developments and from a critical and interdisciplinary perspective. The introduction to this Reader summarises and problematises some of the key characteristics of Kitwood’s writing. Each of the four themed sections begins with a commentary offering a balanced consideration of the strengths of Kitwood’s work, but also of its limitations and oversights. The Reader also includes a biography and annotated bibliography. Tom Kitwood on Dementia: A Reader and Critical Commentary is key reading for students of social work or mental health nursing, with an interest in dementia care. Professionals working with people with dementia will also find it invaluable. Additional Contributors: Habib Chaudhury, Deborah O’Connor, Alison Phinney, Barbara Purves, Ruth Bartlett.

Reconsidering Dementia Narratives explores the role of narrative in developing new ways of understanding, interacting with, and caring for people with dementia. It asks how the stories we tell about dementia – in fiction, life writing and film – both reflect and shape the way we think about this important condition. Highlighting the need to attend to embodied and relational aspects of identity in dementia, the study further outlines ways in which narratives may contribute to dementia care, while disputing the idea that the modes of empathy fostered by narrative necessarily bring about more humane care practices. This cross-medial analysis represents an interdisciplinary approach to dementia narratives which range across auto/biography, graphic narrative, novel, film, documentary and collaborative storytelling practices. The book aims to clarify the limits and affordances of narrative, and narrative studies, in relation to an ethically driven medical humanities agenda through the use of case studies. Answering the key question of whether dementia narratives align with or run counter to the dominant discourse of dementia as ‘loss of self’, this innovative book will be of interest to anyone interested in dementia studies, ageing studies, narrative studies in health care, and critical medical humanities.

There has been a considerable and welcome growth of publications about dementia care and Jessica Kingsley Publishers has certainly played a very useful part in this growth... we need more not less of this quality of work and writing if society is to include those with dementia as full citizens.' - Christian Council on Ageing 'The editors are to be congratulated on assembling a collection of contributions which make this book a milestone in the literature on dementia research and practice... [They] have collected papers on extraordinarily diverse issues and from a very diverse set of authors. Each of the chapters can be seen as an invaluable introduction to the topic area as well as addressing the main theme of the book. It is a milestone book because it manages to provide a snapshot of dementia studies at this moment in time and will, in my view, be widely quoted by policy makers, practice developers, researchers and trainers for the next few years... In such a treasure trove of approaches and issues it is hard to pick out the most striking... I would recommend this book: all readers of the journal will find chapters that they can use to improve dementia care.' - Journal of Dementia Care 'What makes this particularly notable is that Innes, Archibald and Murphy have harnessed such individual voices to address so cogently. Together they address the core issues, all too often neglected or marginalized, in dementia research and care. Sexuality, communication, risk taking, ethnicity, incontinence and practices within remote rural communities are all subjects that draw threads from the very fabric of our society, and it is indicative of how wide the spectrum has broadened that these historically dispirit strands can be tackled constructively.' - Signpost 'A diverse range of subjects are covered in a series of papers written by numerous professionals of standing from various disciplines... The subjects covered include ethnicity, spirituality, sexuality, dying with dementia (palliative care), faecal incontinence and risk-taking. There is a section addressing aspects of communicating with people with dementia and another covering the medical aspects of dementia that have not had much focus in recent years, such as hypertension and diabetes. Finally, there is a social science perspective, including discussing ways that people with dementia can be involved in the research process. I found the book easy to read and it is well written and clearly presented. Covering marginalized areas of practice, it offers food for thought for the reader and is a welcome addition to current literature'. - British Journal of Occupational Therapy 'This book provides invaluable research results and innovative thinking which professionals studying gerontology and dementia care will find very useful throughout their careers.' - London Centre for Dementia Care Newsletter 'The contributors to this volume examine the barriers to the consideration of social inclusion in the field of dementia studies and argue for the necessity of acknowledging the personhood of all individuals with dementia. The papers discuss the sexuality of people with dementia, communication and risk taking, and dementia care in remote rural communities, among other topics. The volume ends with suggestions for more inclusive values, service development, theory and research'. - Book News 'The book, commendably, tries to look at marginalized issues within dementia, such as death and dying, sexuality and faecal incontinence.' - Mental Health Today 'This is a book for the connoisseur. I wish I had contributed a paper. I wish I had read it even earlier. It will be appreciated by many people, from many backgrounds. This is the study of dementia and dementia-care grown to a new maturity. Chapters are original research papers, communicating new findings and analyses, set in the context of previous knowledge, well reviewed... Thanks to the editors and authors for this little gift. Let's be sure it is read widely.' - David Jolley, director of Dementiaplus Examining important issues in dementia research and care that are often neglected or marginalized, the contributors to this book provide fresh perspectives on current practice. The authors put dementia care into a socio-cultural framework, highlighting the impact of social change on dementia care over the last two decades and challenging current stereotypes. The contributors address the implications of power relationships between carers and people with dementia and discuss a broad spectrum of issues, including: * the sexuality of people with dementia * communication and risk taking * people with dementia from minority ethnic groups * faecal incontinence * dementia care and practice in remote rural communities. Taking an in-depth look at dementia research and service development, this book makes essential reading for practitioners, researchers and students working in the field of dementia care.

Dementia has been widely debated from the perspectives of biomedicine and social psychology. This book broadens the debate to consider the experiences of men and women with dementia from a sociopolitical perspective. It brings to the fore the concept of social citizenship, exploring what it means within the context of dementia and using it to re-examine the issue of rights, status(es), and participation. Most importantly, the book offers fresh and practical insights into how a citizenship framework can be applied in practice. It will be of interest to health and social care professionals, policy makers, academics and researchers and people with dementia and family carers may find it revitalising.

“This book is a must read for those wanting to understand, design and improve our approach to workforce knowledge in dementia care.” Paul Edwards, Director of Clinical Services, Dementia UK “Its person-centred, theory and practice-based approaches to learning make it an essential book for everyone involved in the delivery, review and commissioning of dementia education." Dr Anna Jack-Waugh, Senior Lecturer in Dementia, Senior Fellow HEA, Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy, and Practice, the University of the West of Scotland, UK “A relevant, innovative, and important book that can underpin better education and training in dementia care.” Jesper Bøgmose, Associate Professor, Cand. Cur., Faculty of Health, University College Copenhagen, Denmark In the last twenty years the evidence-base for how to provide person-centred care for people with dementia has grown significantly. Despite this until recently there has been little evidence as to how to provide training and education for the dementia workforce. This book provides an evidence-based practical resource for people intending to develop, deliver, review, or commission education and training for the dementia workforce. Throughout, the book: • Considers the importance of informal routes and mechanisms for workforce development • Examines the importance of context and setting conditions for successful implementation of training at individual, service and organisational level • Contains up-to-date international research evidence, case studies and vignettes Education and Training in Dementia Care: A Person-Centred Approach is an accessible text aimed at all levels of prior experience, from those studying and working in health and social care services and private and third sector organisations who are responsible for the training and development of their staff, to commissioners of training or those who wish to take advice to inform their practice. The Reconsidering Dementia Series is an interdisciplinary series published by Open University Press that covers contemporary issues to challenge and engage readers in thinking deeply about the topic. The dementia field has developed rapidly in its scope and practice over the past ten years and books in this series will unpack not only what this means for the student, academic and practitioner, but also for all those affected by dementia. Series Editors: Dr Keith Oliver and Professor Dawn Brooker MBE. Claire Surr is Professor of Dementia Studies and Director of the Centre for Dementia Research at Leeds Beckett University, UK. Isabelle Latham is Researcher-in-Residence for Hallmark Care Homes, UK and Honorary Senior Research Fellow for the Association for Dementia Studies at the University of Worcester, UK. Sarah Jane Smith is a Reader in Dementia Research at Leeds Beckett University, UK.