Introduction

In the early 1980s, it had only recently been appreciated that what was known of the epidemiology of dementia in the elderly living in the community was just the tip of a large iceberg.
Originally published in 1984, reissued here with a new preface, this book is concerned with presenting information on the nature of dementia, its prevalence and the existing pattern of services available at the time. It begins by considering the nature and epidemiology of dementia and examines the problems of supporting dementia sufferers for both families and professionals. Current services in the community are shown to be inadequate, and the division between hospital and community largely inappropriate. In conclusion the author proposes that radical changes to current service provision are necessary including the development of special day centres and residential units for dementia sufferers.
Living with Dementia: Community Care of the Elderly Mentally Infirm addressed a topic of major importance and was an invaluable source of information for community nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, geriatricians, general practitioners and social workers, all of whom encountered the problem. Today we can look back and reflect on what has changed.