Organised services for those with memory disorders are growing. This growth is stimulated by an increase in the number of people with memory problems and by an increased appreciation of the complexity of the needs of such patients. Further growth is likely, especially now that we appear to have crossed the threshold of effective treatment for many patients with dementia. With these advances has come the recognition of the necessity for an interdisciplinary approach to management. Diagnosis and Management of Dementia: A Manual for Memory Disorders Teams is an edited volume covering all aspects of the operation of a memory disorders team. It is aimed at all those working in the dementia or memory disorders team, whether in a clinic or a community setting. The book is divided into three sections. Section one takes the reader through the practical details of setting up and organising a clinic, from timetabling, through managing information, to the assessments needed and the opportunities such a service provides. Section two deals with the diagnostic process; and section three addresses management issues, from carer support, pharmacological and physiological interventions, through managing common problems, to the role of the primary care physician. An Appendix contains the results of a survey to the memory disorder services. This survey provides the reader with examples of other services and demonstrates the wide variation in how these services operate. The Manual is unique in that it combines up to date thinking on diagnosis and management with practical and helpful ideas on how to run a dementia or memory disorders service.

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Kennet Rockwood, MD, is a professor of geriatric medicine and neurology at Dalhousie University and Senior Medical Director of the Frailty and Elder Care Network at Nova Scotia Health.

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" ... a unique and timely ... a superb book ... strongly recommend to neurologists who see dementias but also to anyone involved with the diagnosis and care of the demented. Policy-makers would benefit greatly from it. The editors are to be congratulated." Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences (May 2000)

'Very useful for those already running clinics, those anticipating setting up cliics and those involved in rationalizing health care sevices for older individuals with cognotive impairment.'

"This manual is easy to read, logically presented, well written and contains lots of technical information. I found it informative and could observe some of the suggestions in practice in my own clinic."Signpost Reviews