Synopsis
The authors are a manager and a trustee with Pilgrim Homes, a group of Christian residential care homes in the United Kingdom. The book first addresses an understanding of the human brain, including the mind/spirit/soul connection. It then progresses through discussions of the symptoms of dementia, possible causes and prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term care, and effects on families.
Comments
Dementia, particularly Alzheimer's Disease, has been part of my family's life for twenty years; I've had at least four relatives diagnosed to date. Many of the people I know also have family members or friends who are affected.
This book is quite probably the best of many I have read on the subject, and the only faith-based one. While some of the examples given are specific to systems and agencies in place in the UK, the great bulk of the information is universally applicable to anyone dealing with dementia in some form. It provides adequate and accurate medical information in language understandable to the average reader; practical guidelines to help determine whether symptoms are truly dementia, or some other similarly-manifesting illness or imbalance; and perhaps most importantly, affirmation and hope that even when a person's mind is adrift, his soul is still safely in God's hands and able to commune through the Spirit in ways beyond human understanding.
I would like to be able to place this book in the hands of every family, friend, pastor, and counselor dealing with the challenges of dementia. It achieves a rare balance of practicality and sensitivity, infused with a refreshing and soothing assurance of God's faithfulness.
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