Social Work and Dementia

A practical resource written specifically for social care professionals working with people with dementia and their families, this book gives guidance on person-centred good practice throughout the care process from the initial diagnosis, through day care, respite care, long-term care, and death and attachment.
The guide will enable social care professionals to manage their cases effectively and empathetically, making appropriate, culturally sensitive decisions and acting as advocates for this growing client group. It contains essential background material about the financial and legal context, including an explanation of the relevance of the Mental Health Act 1983. The author locates weak points in current provision and makes practical suggestions for future developments. Social Work and Dementia will enable social and integrated services to meet the needs of older clients experiencing dementia, and to understand, apply and contribute to new developments in their care.

Margaret Anne Tibbs is a freelance consultant and trainer in dementia care, and a part time project officer with the Bradford Dementia Group. From 1989 she was a specialist social worker in dementia and in 1994 she became the senior social worker of the newly created Pathfinder community health team for older people in North Bedfordshire. She teaches a variety of short courses for people working in the field of social care, including DipSW students. Her recent publications include a chapter in Person-Centred Care (edited by Sue Benson) and she also to The Care Assistant's Guide to Working with People with Dementia.