
Thinking Through Dementia
Julian C. Hughes(Author)
Oxford University Press
1st Edition
Published on 17. February 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
316 pages
978-0-19-957066-9 (ISBN)
Description
With a rapidly expanding elderly population, there has been a marked increase in the incidence of dementia, and this dreadful, debilitating illness now affects - directly or indirectly - millions of people across the world. Dementia throws up a number of particular clinical, ethical, and conceptual problems, which mostly reflect complicated evaluative decisions, for instance about diagnosis and the distinction between normal and abnormal ageing.
Different disciplines approach dementia in different ways - thus there are disease, cognitive neuropsychology, and social constructivist models of dementia, Underlying these models and approaches, each of which is clinically useful, are various and differing conceptual committments. These models carry ethical implications concerning how we ought to treat people suffereing from dementia.
Thinking through Dementia offers a critique of the main models used to understand dementia-the biomedical, neuropsychological, and social constructionist. It discusses both clinical issues and cases, together with philosophical work that might help us better understand and treat this illness. Drawing on philosophical critique of models of dementia, as well as empirical data and clinical experience, the book unifies the biological, psychological, and social accounts of illness and disease.
Highly original and thought provoking, this book will interest psychiatrists, philosophers, psychologists, and anyone involved in the care and management of those with dementia.
Different disciplines approach dementia in different ways - thus there are disease, cognitive neuropsychology, and social constructivist models of dementia, Underlying these models and approaches, each of which is clinically useful, are various and differing conceptual committments. These models carry ethical implications concerning how we ought to treat people suffereing from dementia.
Thinking through Dementia offers a critique of the main models used to understand dementia-the biomedical, neuropsychological, and social constructionist. It discusses both clinical issues and cases, together with philosophical work that might help us better understand and treat this illness. Drawing on philosophical critique of models of dementia, as well as empirical data and clinical experience, the book unifies the biological, psychological, and social accounts of illness and disease.
Highly original and thought provoking, this book will interest psychiatrists, philosophers, psychologists, and anyone involved in the care and management of those with dementia.
Reviews / Votes
This is an interesting, thoughtful, and thought-provoking philosophical critique of the models of dementia. Written and edited by a philosophically-oriented geriatric psychiatrist, this book provides a refreshing look at this all too common syndrome. This book is a welcome addition to this neurological, psychiatric, and bioethical literature. * Doody's * Overall, the book is a valuable addition to theorising about dementia and is a welcome addition to the bookshelves of academics, students and practitioners who wish to challenge their knowledge base about understanding dementia. * Ageing and Society * This is a challenging important book demanding careful reading and thoughtful reflection. Regardless of professional identification or partisan loyalty, it is relevant to anyone who seeks philosophical understanding, conceptual clarity, critical analysis of complex degenerative neurocognitive conditions and their social impact, and who labours to develop humane, ethical dementia care practice. * Journal of Dementia Care * The book displays the intellectual rigor of an academic philosopher, tempered by the compassion and pragmatism of a good clinician. * Daniel Harwood, Journal of International Psychogeriatrics *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Psychiatrists, philosophers of mind
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
485 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-957066-9 (9780199570669)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Julian C. Hughes
Thinking Through Dementia
E-Book
02/2011
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€39.49
Available for download
Person
Julian C. Hughes, Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and Honorary Professor of Philosophy of Ageing, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, UK
Author
Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and Honorary Professor of Philosophy of Ageing, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, UK
Content
INTRODUCTION; MENTAL STATES AND NORMATIVITY; MODELS OF DEMENTIA; PERSONHOOD AND THE WORLD