“People with Dementia
Are still people”
Hilary Cragg
Dementia within a Human Rights Context
Dementia is an umbrella term that refers damage the brain, which is deteriorating. The two most common symptoms are memory loss and confusion. People with dementia are still people, they are not simply a diagnosis. As such, they are entitled to be treated as the individual human beings that they are. People’s wishes and views about their lives should continue to be paramount in how they live their lives and how and what support they receive.
My Story
I began working with people with dementia and their families and discovered not only that I loved it, but was skilled at it. I developed a passion for empowering people living with various disabilities and their carers to have choice in how they are cared for.
I began to see the struggles that carers have supporting people living with dementia and could see the common threads in their experiences.
In 2015 my mother started to have problems with her memory and I supported her through her dementia journey and was with her when she eventually died.
Compassion with Dementia
An essential guide to living with dementia
This book has been written by Hilary using her experience as a solicitor and all the people that she came across. Then after looking after her mother for the last 3 years of her life, as she lived with and eventually died of dementia, Hilary wrote the book that she could see was needed to support people through the up and downs of the journey through dementia.
‘This book is helpful and insightful for families where a loved one has a diagnosis of dementia. It provides a lot of information to understand the disease and how the journey with dementia progresses on its own individual way for everyone.
Hilary’s experience, as a daughter and carer for her mother on her personal journey with dementia, is shared with great humanity
and understanding for any family on this unplanned and
uncertain journey.’
‘This book is a great practical guide for anyone walking the dementia path. Hilary uses real-life scenarios from her own experience as a lawyer and a daughter caring for her mother who lived and died with dementia. Whilst highlighting the positive aspects of living well with dementia, this book does not avoid the difficult topics. It gives you the facts that help you and your loved ones to make informed decisions.’
‘This book is a game changer!
Hilary’s experience as a lawyer and as a carer combines to share intimate, thoughtful experience to guide through the trickiest of situations. It offers practical and simple tips to support those who are caring for a loved one with dementia in an easy to read, easy to understand format.
This books gives a valuable insight through the eyes of someone with lived experience and unlike many books Hilary’s professional expertise in law supports the narrative to give a whole view to ease the journey for families and professionals alike.
The tips and tricks Hilary describes, give a unique approach to getting through the most challenging areas for those affected by the disease. Many parts of the book discuss topics that many find difficult to talk about openly – a rare find in dementia books.
Super useful advice, thoughtful and balanced in its approach, this book is a very useful go to book that can be picked up when required, used as a reference or just for information for any family member facing a future with a loved one who has developed dementia.
High reccomended!’
‘This is a ‘must read’ book for all involved in the world of dementia. Hilary’s knowledge and experience as a solicitor and as a carer takes the reader through all the challenges and offers solutions for people living with dementia and their family carers.’
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