Dementia and You (Paperback) | Released: 10 Mar 2016

Dementia is of concern to many people and it often evokes feelings of fear and confusion. No wonder, as it will soon be the major cause of disability and death, outstripping cancer, heart disease and stroke; imposing a massive burden on families, health systems and economies worldwide. Having a mother who had dementia provoked an extending grieving for her loss and resulted in a lot of confusion and anxiety in our family. Not knowing what it was for so long and then what to do and how to support my father. "Dementia and You" encourages people to seek early assessment and to prepare for dementia if it afflicts them, their families or friends. It clearly explains how to talk about it, what you might expect and what you can do in terms of prevention and treatment. Early diagnosis provides many benefits: symptoms, like memory loss may not be dementia but may be normal or treatable; interventions can delay onset or slow progress and it allows people a say in their care before it is too late. The book also talks about new models of care and the need for in-home services and day-centres. What has become evident is that lifestyle is a very important factor in the prevention of dementia: 75% of degenerative disease is preventable. The latest research indicates that stopping smoking, losing weight, exercise, a healthy diet and supplements can all reduce the chances of getting dementia and other chronic diseases. It seems that we can do a lot to minimise the risk and that moderate exercise, healthy eating, vitamins and minerals and anti-oxidants can protect us from environmental hazards that damage cells and provide benefits we cannot conveniently get from modern diets.
About the Author: Dr Ross M Colquhoun, D H Sc, M App Sc (Neuroscience), B Sc (Hons) Dr Ross M Colquhoun is a research scientist and author working in private clinical practice since 1996. He specialised in the development of policy and the treatment of chronic disease and is a leading researcher in the treatment of substance dependency and in the neuroscience of addiction. He was also responsible for the psychological assessment and treatment planning for patients, which had a focus on concurrent treatment of co-morbid conditions. These included mental health problems, substance dependence, brain injury and chronic pain. He also has expertise in the prevention and treatment of psychological problems, especially burnout among health professionals, rehabilitation and couples and family counselling, and medico-legal reports. Dr Colquhoun has worked for the Dalgarno Institute for some years producing policy and educational materials and major studies including "HIV and HCV transmission Among Intravenous Drug Users" and "30 Years of Harm Minimization - How far have we come?". He is also a Science Fellow and Executive member of Drugfree Australia. He has recently completed the DfA submission for UNGASS 2016. In more recent times he developed the website www.mindcheck.com.au to provide assessment and treatment planning for people with dementia and to support their families. As there is a three year delay between onset and diagnosis of dementia he developed an on-line screening test for people who are concerned about their cognitive performance as early intervention can significantly impact the progress of the disease, quality of life and functioning and allows people a say in their care before it is too late. He has been giving talks to seniors groups on this subject for over 6 years. He has had two books published: "The Use of Naltrexone in the Treatment of Opiate Dependence", (Lambert Academic, Germany), based on his doctoral thesis and "Is Dementia a Bigger Word than Cancer?" (Xlibris, USA). This book aims to encourage people to seek early assessment and to prepare people for dementia. It clearly explains what you might expect and what you can do to protect your interests. He has published a number of important research papers in peer reviewed scientific journals and spoken at International Conferences in Asia and Europe.