Mary works for a national dementia charity and is an Associate Director of ELM (End of Life Management Ltd). She has had considerable experience of caring for elderly relatives and friends and worked in the NHS for 9 years. Earlier publications include books on Caring and on GP Practice Management, in addition to articles in nursing and social care journals and magazines. Mary has published her new book this month by Hammersmith Books called ‘The Essential Carer’s Guide to Dementia’ and each month she will offer practical advice on how to deal with dementia.
‘The Essential Carer’s Guide to Dementia’ is a very practical, informative and sensitively written book that will offer carer’s the support they will need when embarking on caring for someone with dementia or living with someone who has been diagnosed. The book explains clearly what dementia is as there is still much confusion over what the difference is between dementia and Alzheimer’s and looks at the risk factors such as the genetic link to early onset dementia, and talks about the genes that play a part in this.
‘The Essential Carer’s Guide to Dementia’ highlights that the defined ‘stages’ of dementia, while helpful as a general guide, can in fact be misleading as everyone differs and progresses at a different rate – e.g. someone may very early on lose the ability to speak in coherent sentences or may lose the ability to do simple tasks like make a cup of tea, while preserving other skills for much longer.
The book clearly discusses the different treatment options that are available and also addresses how best to deal with dementia as it progresses and how to plan ahead, recognising that it is incurable and ultimately sadly fatal. Being a carer is very stressful and tiring and the book also focuses on how to take care of the carer and the importance of carers looking after their own health and wellbeing. From taking regular breaks, to arranging a proper holiday, asking friends and family for help, and joining support groups, the key is to accept help and allow time out without giving in to feelings of guilt.
Mary wrote ‘The Essential Carer’s Guide to Dementia’ hoping to spread the support and advice, the knowledge and expertise, that she and her colleagues have accumulated, a little wider and further. Further information on Mary’s books and work can be found at: http://www.maryjordan.co.uk
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