Charlotte Clarke

Everyday Citizenship and People with Dementia prioritises the ordinary lives of people with dementia, and thereby broadens the agenda towards everyday citizenship. The contributors bring to the fore the idea that a person living with dementia has multiple opinions, identities and a stake in society. The notion of everyday citizenship is used to shift the focus away from care settings and diagnostic and post-diagnostic support - all of which are important, of course - to the ‘normal’ everyday routines and settings of a person’s life. The notion of citizenship is mobilised within a range of contexts from dealing with the welfare system to living and being a part of a neighbourhood. Each chapter focuses on everyday citizenship from the perspective of people living with dementia and shows how citizenship is a necessity for a vibrant, inclusive society. The discussion is informed by empirically based work and authored by experts from different parts of the world, including Canadian and Scots citizens who are living with dementia. The stress, throughout the book, is that the everyday and mundane is not only important in a practical sense but also in a political one. The book is thus for all interested in current debates about equality and the rights of people with dementia.

In an ageing society, the health and well-being of older people has become a primary focus of concern for government, policy makers and practitioners. With moves towards greater integration of health and social care services, there is a need for improved understanding of the importance and benefits of a person-centred, holistic approach to work in these fields. This accessible text, the produce of a collaborative venture between older people's groups and academics, provides students, academics and practitioners across a wide range of health and social care professions, including, nursing, social work, social care and gerontology, with a guide to understanding the value of this approach.