This is such an important topic, and I am very grateful to Keith for sharing his story with a disease which is so debilitating and confronting. What an opportunity to read an account of someone who is aware they have dementia, but have not yet lost all their faculties to be able to recount their experiences. It reads in diary form, which for me just did not read in a very interesting way. This will have been fascinating for his nearest and dearest to read, but for those that do not know Keith, I feel there were lost opportunities for him to be a lot more open, raw, and honest. That being said, I would definitely recommend this to people facing dementia amongst family members, to provide some invaluable insights.

The premise of the book is great and the author really delivers. Great read. Highly recommended. .

Thank you Keith. A tough book to read as both my parents have dementia. But worth reading. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

DEAR DEMENTIA (Or Dear Alzheimer's as it is labeled for search purposes on NetGalley) by Keith Oliver is his diary of living with dementia and roughly covers the time period from diagnosis in 2010 to 2017. Oliver was a teacher and only fifty-five when he was told about his early onset diagnosis. His letters to Dementia comment on depression, identity, and relationships with others. At one point, Oliver describes a chance meeting with a colleague who was surprised to see him; Oliver then notes the "growing number of people living with dementia who are actively raising awareness around the true picture of the condition." His diary, too, will make a contribution both in greater understanding and financially since half the royalties from sales will go to supporting Young Dementia UK. While Alzheimer's certainly has no national boundaries, future readers do well to note that Oliver lives in the UK and his stories take place there. Also, all of the words in letters and the diary are Oliver's own and while that provides a key insight, perhaps balancing them with other perspectives would have made for a stronger text (more analysis and less chronology) overall.

In this memoir we discover hoe Keith Oliver had been a teacher before he was diagnosed. He tells us of the first tell tale signs, his diagnosis and his life there after. How he left his career to become a champion for education and research into the disease. His letters give us just a small peep into how he feels living with dementia. This is an intresting read.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Jessica Kingsley Publishiers and the author Keith Oliver for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley.

This topic is so difficult. I had a family member who was diagnosed was this, and it was difficult to watch her progress and spiral downward.

This book is interesting and easy to follow. Just be in the right mindset for it.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book for my honest opinion.
You will learn quite a bit about dementia if that is your intention. You will see it from the patient who has it. He writes about the in his journal.
I was hoping for so much more than that. My mom has dementia and I trying to read everything I can get my hands on. I don't live by her and I want to be able to stay connected with her however I can.
This book is fantastic for some things but it lacks some things. But please read this book if you have a family member who has dementia because it w give you the perspective of the ravaging disease from the eyes of the person who is living it

A wanted to read this book as my mum has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and I was keen to find out the experience of someone actually living with the condition. The book is a diary which details the various groups and projects the author has become involved in since his diagnosis, rather than an account of living with the condition itself. It spans from diagnosis to the present day - approximately 7/8 years. I found it a little heavy going with details of meetings etc and not much from a personal aspect.

It was interesting to discover that he was a teacher as it gave me something that I could relate to. I also can't imagine how devastating it might be to have to leave your career due to a disease but I like that he still remains active within education. It reminds you that those with dementia haven't always been that way. Most will have had normal lives until they got their diagnosis and maybe even for a while afterwards. It puts life into perspective.

He discusses his symptoms before his diagnosis, getting a diagnosis and life after the diagnosis. It is mostly matter of fact and he doesn't delve too deeply into the emotions. The most human aspects are his yearly 'Dear Dementia' letters that he writes to his disease. I really enjoyed reading these.

The more I read, the harder it is to read. He starts describing his days more and I'm not too interested. He doesn't really talk about how it feels but is more just a matter-of-fact diary. I can imagine it would be nice to read if you are a matter-of-fact person who has just been diagnosed with dementia but for me, I prefer a more raw approach.

I will be posting a full review on my blog on 4th April but it can be moved upon request.

I work in care and with dementia patients,this book knew dementia inside out.worth reading if you know or work with someone with dementia.dementa can happen to anyone.i give this book five stars,I’ll also get this book for my sister who works the same place as me.a excellent read.

This was an interesting read giving a personal insight into living with dementia. Hard going in places but definitely made for a thought-provoking read.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher & author for the ARC copy of the book in exchange for my review.

This book Is a diary of daily events by a man that has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Keith Oliver leaves his career after his diagnosis and becomes a champion for education and research of the disease. His diary discusses in detail who he meets with a daily and his work and dedication to support dementia research. He deserves a lot of accommodations for championing this cause but as far as the book goes..... it is very redundant with no stimulating or enlightening information. Some of his letters to Dear Dementia give some insight and perspective into his feelings, but for the most part, if you want to learn more about this brutal disease and it’s affect on the brain, you will need to find another book. Having previously read Brain on Fire (and loved it) I had high hopes for this book. There was not much to take away here other than he kept a very busy calendar for a man with dementia and was a champion for the cause.

I feel odd saying I enjoyed this book, I loved the idea of the story giving the reader an insight into the reality of living with dementia is actually life.
Keith Oliver has been diagnosed with dementia in 2014 while in his fifties.
Nothing within this read is sugar coated- it is what it is.
Raw, emotional, honest, real, personal and inspirational
This is a book that all book lovers should read.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for my eARC of this book in exchange for my honest unbiased review

What a well written book.
My mum suffers from dementia so at times this book was difficult to read on a personal level.
I think everyone should read this book.

Keith Oliver was diagnosed with dementia when in his fifties, in 2014. This memoir is based on his experiences and activism while living with (definitely NOT ‘suffering from’) younger onset dementia.
I’m very interested in this genre - my previous work was with people with dementia - and Keith Oliver’s book is inspiring. He is tireless in championing the training and education around this condition and an impressive spokesperson and advocate.
He also subverts the myth that people with dementia should be wrapped in cotton wool, ignoring his consultant’s advice to cancel a forthcoming annual holiday to Australia, post-diagnosis, and going on to enjoy this and several more.
My only caveat is that this is very much a diary: there are lots of accounts of meetings, complete with names of groups and acronyms, and names of helpers, colleagues and participants. This does make it slightly repetitive.
But there is much to commend this determined account of taking on the ‘dear dementia’ Oliver writes to, and it should give hope and admiration to anyone who has previously written off someone with dementia or seen it as an ending rather than part of life’s journey.