Navigating Dementia and Society - by Emma Putland (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Explores how people affected by dementia in the UK reiterate, challenge and reshape wider discourses surrounding the syndrome, both in conversation and by directly responding to visual and linguistic social texts"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

This open access book explores how people in England who are affected by dementia (either by having a diagnosis or being a carer or loved one of someone who does) navigate different dementia discourses, interpret social texts and recommend discursive change. Drawing on thematic discourse analysis, and in particular multimodal critical discourse analysis (MCDA), it examines how different communicative modes can be used to reinforce or challenge particular worldviews and social practices, such as the marginalisation of people with dementia. Key themes include the need for nuance when discussing dementia and the tensions between different types of understandings of dementia (particularly across medical professionals, the media, and people affected by dementia).

The author examines how individuals with and otherwise affected by dementia differently reinforce, challenge and provide alternatives to dominant dementia discourses and how such experience-led debates might inform social discourses moving forward. In particular, this book advocates for more nuanced and normalising visual and linguistic representations of dementia that can better support the advocacy of people with (and otherwise affected by) dementia and address social stigma.

The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by UKRI.

Review Quotes

Navigating Dementia and Societyis a fresh exploration of the experience of dementia that problematizes prevailing dichotomous discourses of 'tragedy' or 'living well'. In her creative multimodal investigation, Emma Putland illuminates the complexity with which individuals affected by dementia engage with media stereotypes. Kudos for this innovative and hopeful study!
Heidi E. Hamilton, Professor Emerita of Linguistics, Georgetown University, USA

This book offers a unique perspective on the way that dementia is described and understood and makes visible the power of language and image in influencing discourse. The author unpacks dementia discourse drawing on the lived experiences of people with dementia - and those closely connected - and challenges us to engage with a much more nuanced set of understandings. She manages to explore the territory in an engaging, thoughtful, intelligent and, at times, amusing way.
Dr Alisoun Milne, Professor Emeritus of Social Gerontology and Social Work, University of Kent, UK

This brilliant, insightful book showcases people with dementia as creators of their own identities. By re-interpreting tired tropes and dehumanizing discourses, this work creates space for hope. If we want a better future for dementia care, these are the voices we need to listen to.
Cheyann Heap, Research Associate, University of York, UK

About the Author

Emma Putland is Senior Research Associate for the UKRI-funded 'Public Discourses of Dementia' project at Lancaster University, UK.