This accessible and authoritative book provides an invaluable guide to identifying, treating and preventing depression in later life. Jill Manthorpe and Steve Iliffe take a multidisciplinary approach and employ both medical and psycho-social models of depression. The medical model is used to identify symptoms, make diagnoses and work towards optimal treatment. Psycho-social perspectives provide insight into the scale and complexity of the condition and point to its social causes. The authors identify different levels of depression through in-depth analysis and consider the condition in relation to, but distinct from, dementia, psychosis and anxiety disorders, helping professionals to make the correct diagnosis. Supporting case studies show that depression, and the physical symptoms often linked to it, are amenable to treatment. The authors provide practical guidance for health and social care practitioners and suggest numerous coping strategies. This comprehensive book is essential reading for health and social care practitioners working with older people, their carers and families.

This practice and training guide is written with the needs of health and social care professionals working with people with dementia in mind. Drawing together theoretical considerations and examples of good practice, the authors look at the different stages of dementia and explain how to: * make the initial diagnosis - including guidelines for distinguishing dementia from depression; * convey the diagnosis to the person with dementia and their family - outlining the use of cognitive tests and the role of anti-dementia drugs; * support the client through lifestyle adjustments; * care for end-stage dementia patients - looking for example at the choice between community or institutional care. The book is illustrated with case studies and includes a chapter on understanding and responding to the needs of the carer - such as access to information and support - and the effect on their own health. Outlining the shared knowledge base required by health and social care practitioners, this useful and accessible work book will also facilitate inter-disciplinary and inter-agency working.