Practical Management of Dementia – a Multi-Professional Approach. Stephen Curran & John Wattis. Oxford: Radcliffe Medical Press, 2004, £27.95 pb, 248 pp. ISBN: 185 77 59 311

This book brings together current scientific knowledge of dementia with the ways in which different professionals are involved in the process of care. It discusses models of service delivery such as memory clinics and gives guidance as to how one might ascertain local service needs and establish appropriate services. There are also chapters on specific aspects of dementia care. The spirituality chapter is illuminating and thought-provoking. Person-centred care is a theme which runs through the book and there is a good summary of its principles within the role of the nurse in dementia care. The occupational therapy chapter is well organised and informative with thoughtful case examples. The chapter on early-onset dementia is a useful reference for those not expert in the field. Legal aspects of dementia are clearly set out, although this area is equally well covered in the recent BMA publication on capacity (BMA & Law Society, 2004). As the legal framework for decision-making for those with incapacity will undoubtedly soon change with impending legislation, this space could have perhaps been used more profitably. Supporting carers of people with dementia would have justified a chapter in its own right. Similarly greater emphasis could have been made of ways in which services can reach out to minority ethnic populations.

One criticism of the book is the amount of repetition which makes it difficult to read at one sitting. The chapters on epidemiology, diagnosis, early detection and memory clinics could have been rationalised. This would have allowed space to expand on topics such as neuropsychological assessment and psychological management techniques. The inclusion of the different perspectives of the old age psychiatrist, physician for the elderly and general practitioner provides valuable insights into the expertise and viewpoints of each. However, it also leads to some idiosyncrasies. It might have been helpful to have a clearly stated consensus opinion or a current summary of the debate in controversial areas, for example the place of neuroimaging in the routine assessment of dementia.

Overall the book successfully brings together the elements of good practice in delivering multidisciplinary care to dementia sufferers and their families. However, as the editors state, provision of such care is reliant on underpinning by sound political and financial support.