Signpost Book Reviews Vol 10.1 2005

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Caring for an Older Person With Failing Memory – "Is the cooker turned off?"

By Josephine and Michael Woolf

Published by Gorselands, 2003, £9.99

ISBN 0-9544128-0-X

This book has been carefully thought about … the layout, content and presentation style all combine to help the reader find their way round with ease. The A5 size of the book makes it easy to handle, and the text size makes it easy to read.

The authors are clear about who this book is aimed at, namely anyone who finds themselves thrust by circumstance into the role of caring for someone who’s memory is failing, and clearly reflects their own experiences of caring. It concentrates on the practical aspects of coping with daily life, and gives clear guidance for people with minimal understanding of the complex workings of memory, all written in positive language.

There are useful margin notes throughout the book that would help the reader to relocate a particular place, and this layout style also helps the reader who likes to "dip in" to a book rather than read it cover to cover. Each chapter contains a "mind map" style presentation of the chapter’s content and ends with a summary of the main points.

I found it very readable and positive in its approach – a recommended read.

This is the sort of book that should be available at any older person’s resource centre, that any professional could leave with someone when first contacting services, or for older people’s carer support organizations to have available.

Steve Kings RMN BSc
Clinical Nurse Leader
Mental Health Services for Older People,
Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust.

Further reviews of this book can be found at the Gorselands site

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