Women over 60 are living longer, healthier and better informed lives. In fact, for most of us, maintaining our good health is on our minds every day.

But, regardless of how well we feel, most of us worry about one illness – dementia.

A dementia diagnosis is clearly bad news for the person who receives it. However, it also affects the people around them, especially their family caregivers.

Dementia is a Personal Issue

Like many people, I have a personal interest in Alzheimer’s and dementia. The reason for this is that a very good friend of mine recently died at the age of 55 from early onset Alzheimer’s disease. It was heart-breaking for everyone involved.

Even at a distance, I wished I had known more about what she was going through. It was only when I looked at a book called “When Someone You Know Has Dementia” by June Andrews, I realized the scale and breadth of the subject.

Dementia is a Feminist Issue

This may sound like a dramatic statement, but, in her book, June says that dementia is a feminist issue. Statistically, she says that women get dementia more frequently. They are also more likely than men to take on family caregiving roles.

“When Someone You Know Has Dementia” was originally drafted for health and social care staff. This is because everything in it is based on research and decades of experience in nursing and health care.

That said, because the book uses clear, non-nonsense language, it is an excellent reference for family caregivers… and people who are simply interested in finding out more about dementia.

Who is This Book For?

The book offers advice for families and caregivers. To reach a wider audience, there are several editions – English and Polish for the UK, one for North America and one for rest of the world.

June says that she was inspired to write the book by families who said, “Why did no one tell me these things before? I could have saved myself so much trouble, expense and pain.”

What Are the Book’s Key Messages?

“When Someone You Know Has Dementia” discusses how to help a person dealing with dementia in very practical ways. Whether you are dealing with a friend or family member, getting accurate information is crucial.

June reminds us that you can’t always rely on the people round you to give you the information that you need… and this includes professionals.

When helping someone with dementia, you need a strong character and non-judgmental approach. June’s guidance on navigating these pitfalls is very helpful.

The book is easy to read, practical and down to earth. It speaks in a very accessible, down-to-earth and human style.

You might want to add this book to your collection if someone that you love is suffering from dementia. This is especially true if you are a family caregiver.

Has anyone close to you suffered from dementia? Have you ever been a family caregiver? What advice would you give to the women in our community who are just now becoming caregivers for the first time? Let’s start a conversation!