Opinion
Book reviews Intellectual Disability and Dementia: Research into Practice Karen Watchman Jessica Kingsley £29.99 | 336pp ISBN: 9781849054225 WHILE BEING informative and interesting, this book takes a comprehensive look at the literature related to people with learning disabilities who develop dementia. It offers a balanced appraisal of the evidence base that will be helpful to novice and expert practitioners. Readers might choose to dip in and out of this book or read it in its entirety. It is practical, offering a range of resources. The book is split into three sections. Section one explores issues such as defining and diagnosing dementia in people with learning disabilities, prevalence and incidence and treatment options. The authors explain the differing theories about why people with Down’s syndrome are more likely to experience dementia, which provides a useful foundation for discussions about the use of medication. The latter part of this section explores the evidence base for different types of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions. Where the evidence base is sparse, the authors offer tentative suggestions about how mainstream research might apply to this client group. A number of useful resources are referenced and some good examples are presented about how services have implemented strategies. Section two explores the perspectives of people with learning disabilities and their families. This is a powerful section that begins with a chapter about the experiences of the Growing Older with a Learning Disability (GOLD) group. It is a nationally recognised group of older people with learning disabilities and two of its members experienced dementia. In this chapter, members of the GOLD group reflect on their experiences of having friends with dementia and the care they received. The following chapters focus on the experiences of families and use case studies. This section is completed with some 10 November 2014 | Volume 26 | Number 9
checklists for use with family members to help plan for the future. Section three focuses on service planning. It begins by exploring the issue of breaking bad news. The authors describe a framework that can be used by practitioners for discussing diagnosis and prognosis of dementia. This section also considers the issues related to ageing in place and dementia-specific services. It suggests that training is important for staff supporting those with learning disabilities and dementia. The authors offer a list of topics that should be covered in training. There are also some useful resources that aid practitioners in assessing the environment, considering issues of importance as dementia progresses, for example, maintaining relationships and a checklist for business planning. The book concludes with discussion about outcome measures. This text offers a good summary of the research while remaining practical. Jo Ball, senior occupational therapist, Solent NHS Trust
The Consummate Leader – A Holistic Guide to Inspiring Growth in Others… and in Yourself Patricia Thompson Silver Lining Psychology £10.13 | 217pp ISBN: 9780996047906 WE HAVE here one of the few general books on the subject of leadership that is exceptionally easy to read, with an engaging style, a great deal of humour and good real-life examples. The psychology of leadership is complex, but experienced corporate psychologist and management consultant Patricia Thompson steers a bold and confident course through the subject. Throughout this guide, she retains the focus of inspiring personal growth and achieving heightened self-awareness. A focus of the guide is that we first take care of ourselves before trying to effect
Ethics, Law and Professional Issues Ann Gallagher and Sue Hodge Palgrave Macmillan £20.99 | 192pp ISBN: 9780230279940 THE EDITORS provide a sound introduction to ethics, law and professional issues in health care. Scenarios before each chapter help the reader to digest and comprehend the information. My only criticism is that it is not directly relevant to nursing alone. Although there is some benefit in being aware of how other practitioners may be affected by these issues, another book aimed at nurses would be more appropriate. Later chapters about responding to unprofessional practice and promoting professional healthcare practice may be of more interest to nursing students and recently qualified healthcare professionals. James Meek, lecturer, School of Health, University of Central Lancashire
positive change in others. Simple, logical steps are illustrated through delving deep into the meanings and interpretations behind behaviours that are commonly displayed in organisations. Thompson does not limit her narrative to established and exceptional senior leaders such as Nelson Mandela. She draws on examples from her own experiences of coaching, leadership and leadership development. She concentrates on the psychology and characteristics of self-awareness, spirituality, self-management, positivity, authenticity, building effective relationships, skilful coaching and personal and career development. Each chapter offers thought-provoking, psychology-based exercises, with an emphasis on self-awareness. These will appeal to students of psychology, as well as those looking for information on leadership styles, strategies and theories, and those looking to develop their leadership abilities. Zulfkar Hussain, psychiatric nurse, Carisbrooke Healthcare, Nottingham NURSING OLDER PEOPLE
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Book reviews Intellectual Disability and Dementia: Research into Practice Karen Watchman Jessica Kingsley £29.99 | 336pp ISBN: 9781849054225 WHILE BEING informative and interesting, this book takes a comprehensive look at the literature related to people with learning disabilities who develop dementia. It offers a balanced appraisal of the evidence base that will be helpful to novice and expert practitioners. Readers might choose to dip in and out of this book or read it in its entirety. It is practical, offering a range of resources. The book is split into three sections. Section one explores issues such as defining and diagnosing dementia in people with learning disabilities, prevalence and incidence and treatment options. The authors explain the differing theories about why people with Down’s syndrome are more likely to experience dementia, which provides a useful foundation for discussions about the use of medication. The latter part of this section explores the evidence base for different types of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions. Where the evidence base is sparse, the authors offer tentative suggestions about how mainstream research might apply to this client group. A number of useful resources are referenced and some good examples are presented about how services have implemented strategies. Section two explores the perspectives of people with learning disabilities and their families. This is a powerful section that begins with a chapter about the experiences of the Growing Older with a Learning Disability (GOLD) group. It is a nationally recognised group of older people with learning disabilities and two of its members experienced dementia. In this chapter, members of the GOLD group reflect on their experiences of having friends with dementia and the care they received. The following chapters focus on the experiences of families and use case studies. This section is completed with some 10 November 2014 | Volume 26 | Number 9
checklists for use with family members to help plan for the future. Section three focuses on service planning. It begins by exploring the issue of breaking bad news. The authors describe a framework that can be used by practitioners for discussing diagnosis and prognosis of dementia. This section also considers the issues related to ageing in place and dementia-specific services. It suggests that training is important for staff supporting those with learning disabilities and dementia. The authors offer a list of topics that should be covered in training. There are also some useful resources that aid practitioners in assessing the environment, considering issues of importance as dementia progresses, for example, maintaining relationships and a checklist for business planning. The book concludes with discussion about outcome measures. This text offers a good summary of the research while remaining practical. Jo Ball, senior occupational therapist, Solent NHS Trust
The Consummate Leader – A Holistic Guide to Inspiring Growth in Others… and in Yourself Patricia Thompson Silver Lining Psychology £10.13 | 217pp ISBN: 9780996047906 WE HAVE here one of the few general books on the subject of leadership that is exceptionally easy to read, with an engaging style, a great deal of humour and good real-life examples. The psychology of leadership is complex, but experienced corporate psychologist and management consultant Patricia Thompson steers a bold and confident course through the subject. Throughout this guide, she retains the focus of inspiring personal growth and achieving heightened self-awareness. A focus of the guide is that we first take care of ourselves before trying to effect
Ethics, Law and Professional Issues Ann Gallagher and Sue Hodge Palgrave Macmillan £20.99 | 192pp ISBN: 9780230279940 THE EDITORS provide a sound introduction to ethics, law and professional issues in health care. Scenarios before each chapter help the reader to digest and comprehend the information. My only criticism is that it is not directly relevant to nursing alone. Although there is some benefit in being aware of how other practitioners may be affected by these issues, another book aimed at nurses would be more appropriate. Later chapters about responding to unprofessional practice and promoting professional healthcare practice may be of more interest to nursing students and recently qualified healthcare professionals. James Meek, lecturer, School of Health, University of Central Lancashire
positive change in others. Simple, logical steps are illustrated through delving deep into the meanings and interpretations behind behaviours that are commonly displayed in organisations. Thompson does not limit her narrative to established and exceptional senior leaders such as Nelson Mandela. She draws on examples from her own experiences of coaching, leadership and leadership development. She concentrates on the psychology and characteristics of self-awareness, spirituality, self-management, positivity, authenticity, building effective relationships, skilful coaching and personal and career development. Each chapter offers thought-provoking, psychology-based exercises, with an emphasis on self-awareness. These will appeal to students of psychology, as well as those looking for information on leadership styles, strategies and theories, and those looking to develop their leadership abilities. Zulfkar Hussain, psychiatric nurse, Carisbrooke Healthcare, Nottingham NURSING OLDER PEOPLE
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