Alzheimer’s Australia has been producing the Quality Dementia Care series of useful fact sheets and booklets for people with dementia and their carers but, until recently, had neglected the area of dementia with early onset. This booklet, together with a few others released during the past couple of years, helps rectify the situation. John Hodges, one of the world’s leading authorities on younger onset dementia, gathered a competent group of collaborators to produce this document, which can be freely downloaded from: http://www.alzheimers.org.au/content.cfm?infopageid=5484.

The booklet is divided into five sections covering key features of the clinical presentation of younger people with dementia, practical approaches to manage cognitive deficits and behavioural disturbances, issues that are of relevance to carers, preparing for the future (including legal issues), and further resources. The document has a smart layout that will make it easy for readers to find the information they are after; and although information has been maintained at a basic level (basic, but up to date), carers will certainly appreciate the helpful hints on issues related to management, services and how to access other relevant resources.

If you work with people with dementia, I would encourage you to keep a few copies of this booklet at hand in your office. I certainly will.