United

Description

A new illustrated book that captures the real life tales of people with dementia, and from the loved ones and professional carers who support them.
Stories from families living with the realities of dementia are illustrated in a humorous but moving style and will be relatable and supportive for anyone touched by dementia in their lives.
The stories reflect on:
– The heart-wrenching decision to move a loved one to a care home and the guilt and emotions that accompany this
– The behavioural changes that accompany the different stages of this disease
– The impact of receiving a diagnosis
– Caring for elderly parents when dementia complicates their ability to look after each other
– Planning ahead for the imminent future when your loved one may lose the capacity to make decisions
– The realities of caring for someone with young onset dementia
– The loneliness and isolation of caring and the importance of peer support
– The worry and guilt around long-distance caring
– Making time for positive hobbies and routines
– Facing dementia in public when you are a well-known figure

Gina Awad has been involved in making a difference for people living with dementia and their loved ones for over 10 years. As well as becoming the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends Champion of the Year in 2016, and forming the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance, she was also awarded a British Empire Medal for her voluntary services to people with dementia in Devon in 2018. Gina has a BSc in Health & Social Care, is a qualified counsellor, reflexologist and coach, and gained great experience when she was awarded a scholarship to the Memory Bridge Training Retreat at The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, in Bloomington, Indiana. Gina has personal experience of family and friends living with dementia and hosts a quarterly radio show on Phonic 106.8 FM ‘Living Better with Dementia’.
The illustrator Tony Husband is an award winning cartoonist who works for Private Eye and other publications. His book Take Care, Son about his father’s dementia led him into the dementia world.

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