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Book Review
A Personal Guide to Living With Progressive Memory Loss
Sandy Burfener and Prudence Twigg
ISBN: 978-1-84310-863-4 2007 158 pages Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Christine Toye
Post Doctoral Research Fellow, School of Nursing and Public Health, Edith Cowan University, Churchlands WA
The target audience for this book is people who have early stage Alzheimer's disease or other progressive brain disorders. Target audiences for most previous books in this area have been either family carers or health professionals. Authors have generally overlooked the needs of people with early cognitive changes, who are likely to welcome suitably presented texts. Burgener and Twigg's (2007) new approach will, therefore, empower many previously disenfranchised readers with information about symptoms and how they may be managed.
In particular, the text provides numerous strategies for communicating the perspective of the individual who has progressive cognitive problems. Attitudes within the community are slowly changing in this area, in that cognitive symptoms are becoming more widely understood and accepted; this book both reflects such a change and challenges established responses. For example, the notion of family members prematurely 'taking over' from the person who has memory loss or related difficulties is considered in depth.
The book is presented in brief chapters that comprise explanatory text; relevant scenarios that expand upon that text; and summarized recommended strategies, in the form of dot points. Sentences are brief and referencing is kept to a minimum, but there is no impression that the text is over simplified. The content is refreshingly clear and straightforward, with key issues addressed thoroughly and thoughtfully. The book would also be useful for family carers who wish to provide support without impacting unduly upon autonomy. Use of the text by people who have progressive disease together with their families might help to facilitate vital discussion about future care needs and the best ways in which they can be addressed.
Furthermore, using the book as a joint resource within the family might extend the book's usefulness to those with more extensive cognitive disability. Additionally, care workers and health care professionals may find that the book informs a more empathic approach. In summary, the authors are to be commended for their novel contribution; a book that will meet the needs of people who have early, progressive memory loss and related symptoms; a population with unique and hitherto neglected needs.
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