Remember Me: You Me and Dementia: By Sailesh Mishra
Published by Silver Innings, Mumbai Oct 2017 pp xii + 253 Price Rs 450/ -
Available through Amazon
(Book Review by Dr P Vyasamoorthy)
This book by Sailesh Mishra,
who has over a decade of experience in elder care, is a timely addition to Indian literature on the topic. It has about
50 chapters. Three chapters (ch 1-3) explain basics of dementia and two more (Ch
8 &9) deal with differentiating dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Specific
issues / problems like: memory loss, incontinence, hallucinations, depression,
delusions, aggressive behaviour, wandering away, bed sores are dealt with in
separate chapters.
Care giving activities like
Washing, bathing, giving food, dressing, dental care, keeping patients occupied
with hobbies, pastimes or games have again been dealt with chapters in their
own right.
As many as seven poems are
included indicating that poetic expression lends itself to cathartic emotiveness.
Just giving one example, Sarala’s poem “Dementia,
the Demon” typifies an AD patient and depicts the frustrations of a caregiver.
Advice to caregivers on
avoiding care giver stress is provided.
Role of community in care provision take up two chapters (Ch 47 &
49). Chapters 44 & 25 answer the
most frequently asked question: “I am becoming forgetful; am I slipping into AD?”
Chapter 26 “What if I have
dementia?” will surely be comforting to many seniors
who are likely to be
diagnosed for AD as it gives practical tips. “Living Alone” also falls into
this category.
End Matter contains
endorsements, acknowledgements, resources, and references. References lean
heavily on the sub theme of non-pharma approach to dealing with dementia.
Afterword by Prof Siva Raju adds credibility to the author.
One small advice when the
book goes for revision: In the Table of Contents, some chapter headings are in bold
and others are in normal font giving an incorrect impression that the chapters
are grouped according to some sub topics. If chapters are really grouped into sub themes
it will be very useful.
On the whole the book is
neatly produced, cover design is attractive and the pricing is just right for
Indian market. It will be useful to students and teachers of gerontology and
geriatrics, doctors, Managers of Care giving centers, Caregivers and trainers
and to any library in Senior Citizens Associations.
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