Dementia and Social Work Practice

Dementia is one of the most devastating illnesses as it involves a progressive decline in mental functioning leading to eventual total incapacity, affecting all aspects of diagnosed individuals. This book talks about the many factors associated with dementia and its care, and the ways in which social work involvement can be most valuable.

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Dementia is one of the most devastating illnesses as it involves a progressive decline in mental functioning leading to eventual total incapacity. Thus, it affects all aspects of diagnosed individuals - eventually robbing them of their very identities. There are many types of dementia, but the most common form is Alzheimer's disease (AD) which affects over 4 million Americans, the majority of whom are age 65 or older. However, although associated with aging, the illness is also found in persons in mid-life where the impact can be particularly severe as it affects employment, income, and the expected life course. The theme of this book underscores the many factors associated with dementia and its care, and the ways in which social work involvement can be most valuable. The chapters, written by leaders in the field of dementia care, examine the development and impact of dementia and the many ways in which social work expertise can be most effectively utilized by clinicians, researchers, and advocates.