Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
New York, NY : Demos Health, [2014]
Description
It is very common for a person with dementia to exhibit unexpected or inappropriate sexual behavior and yet few resources exist to help partners, family members, caregivers, and others address it. Now for the first time, esteemed geriatric neuropsychiatrist Dr. Doug Wornell provides a compassionate and detailed understanding of the issue and strategies for how to cope.Tackling a difficult subject without shame or embarrassment, Sexuality and Dementia offers essential information and practical solutions so that people with dementia and their partners can have stronger and happier relationships.
User reviews
LibraryThing member KevinKLF
I received a copy of this book for my review.
What a sobering book. I highly recommend it.
Dr. Wornell writes that he has “treated well over 20,000 cases of dementia.” This gives him a perspective that his readers likely will not have. Somewhat of a shock, to me, is the number of dementia cases
On page 6, he writes that his book, “Sexuality and Dementia is the first comprehensive book to deal with a hidden reality that all too many of us will have to cope with in the future. It is time for the behavior to be brought out into the open and discussed in depth.”
These issues are serious, personal and guaranteed to provoke discussions and difficult decisions. But there is the chance too for perspective and guidance.
Meant as a comprehensive guide, I think, it works. It seems to have the right balance of personal stories and medical information/jargon. I’m not a doctor but I have been impacted by these issues. So, some of the medical information presented was useful and generated aha moments.
It may seem like a small book, easily read in a short time. However I found that I needed to put it down periodically to think about the issues/stories presented. This is personal. I thought about relationships past and present as well as what might happen in the future.
In my opinion, better to start with the last chapter and then go back to the first. Either way, whether you start at the beginning or the end, there is an undeniable amount of impact throughout. Many of the stories pulled me in emotionally even though I resisted. I like to think that I personally will respond altruistically. So, I disagreed with the decisions several people (the healthy partners) made. After reading the book, I haven’t changed my views (ethical, religious). But it did remind me of just how human we are and that the longer we live, the more challenges we will face, whether as individuals (part of family or extended family unit) or as part of society as a whole.
It’s a good book and I recommend it.
What a sobering book. I highly recommend it.
Dr. Wornell writes that he has “treated well over 20,000 cases of dementia.” This gives him a perspective that his readers likely will not have. Somewhat of a shock, to me, is the number of dementia cases
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is five to seven million currently and is expected to rise to 20-25 million cases by 2050; you can’t ignore what is happening. Furthermore, dementia is probably (page 7) under-diagnosed due to its relative unimportance on medical radar and family/spouse denial. As a consequence, the challenge to societal, ethical and religious values is real, felt personally (especially by partners), and will be seen in how long-term commitments will morph over time. Stories are presented to demonstrate that proposition. Longevity has its risk and this is definitely one of them.On page 6, he writes that his book, “Sexuality and Dementia is the first comprehensive book to deal with a hidden reality that all too many of us will have to cope with in the future. It is time for the behavior to be brought out into the open and discussed in depth.”
These issues are serious, personal and guaranteed to provoke discussions and difficult decisions. But there is the chance too for perspective and guidance.
Meant as a comprehensive guide, I think, it works. It seems to have the right balance of personal stories and medical information/jargon. I’m not a doctor but I have been impacted by these issues. So, some of the medical information presented was useful and generated aha moments.
It may seem like a small book, easily read in a short time. However I found that I needed to put it down periodically to think about the issues/stories presented. This is personal. I thought about relationships past and present as well as what might happen in the future.
In my opinion, better to start with the last chapter and then go back to the first. Either way, whether you start at the beginning or the end, there is an undeniable amount of impact throughout. Many of the stories pulled me in emotionally even though I resisted. I like to think that I personally will respond altruistically. So, I disagreed with the decisions several people (the healthy partners) made. After reading the book, I haven’t changed my views (ethical, religious). But it did remind me of just how human we are and that the longer we live, the more challenges we will face, whether as individuals (part of family or extended family unit) or as part of society as a whole.
It’s a good book and I recommend it.
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LibraryThing member pinklady60
The author and geriatric neuropsychiatrist discusses sexuality and how it affects those with dementia. I found interesting his descriptions of the different types of dementia and how inappropriate sexual behaviors may be treated by changing the environment, as well as medically, with a complete
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history and examination to check for infections or some type of metabolic disturbance. As care giver for a spouse with Lewy Body Dementia, it made me realize the importance of the doctor/patient/caregiver relationship. Show Less
LibraryThing member janiereader
I have a step mother who has Alzheimer's so I was interested in reading this book since she has here and there said some inappropriate things around us. It seemed like her filter has gone, knowing that she shouldn't say some things around others because it would make them uncomfortable.
It is in
It is in
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this state of mind that I read the book and I found that it did answer some of my questions and helped me understand what was going along. Working with the public it is something that may come up in the future as well, so it's good to know. Show Less
LibraryThing member jlhowson
This is a useful and informative book addressing two topics that often are not addressed in our world today. With engaging stories, and interesting insight, this should be required reading for those who have a loved one who has dementia, or those who work in a field that engages with that
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population. Show Less
LibraryThing member bleached
Very fascinating information about sexuality in older individuals who suffer from dementia. As a sex-positive activist it is interesting to learn about behaviors in not just younger people but older individuals as well.
Language
Physical description
188 p.; 23 cm
ISBN
9781936303557
Call number
7.31.4 W6 se 2014