ABSTRACT

This book is about providing a specialist service to younger people who have dementia. Some reports and texts already exist (Cox & Keady, 1999; Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2001; Alzheimer’s Society, 2001). What then is new about this book? First, we have given enough factual information that it can be used as a free-standing text on the topic. Second, this is a practical book with a focus on teamwork. We discuss the roles of different professions, describe how the specialist multidisciplinary team functions and suggest ways of networking with other agencies. Those new to the topic will find clinical information about the dementias that occur in younger people and specialists’ suggestions about how a team might be developed. Third, we have tried to translate our local experience of service development into suggestions for those planning and commissioning services.