Approximately one person in twenty over the age of sixty-five and approximately one in five over the age of eighty, has dementia. These people will have spouses, partners, children, relatives and friends. It is likely, therefore, that just about every church congregation and community will contain a number of people affected directly or indirectly by dementia.

How do clergy and the laity understand, relate to and support these people?
What happens to the faith of people with dementia and how do their carers cope with the issues of faith?
What forms of ministry are appropriate when people with dementia move into residential/nursing homes?

This book, written by someone who has spent many years as a parish priest, is full of reflections and suggestions and is an attempt to guide and encourage people in this important but often neglected area of ministry. The challenge made by Malcolm Goldsmith in the introduction is to understand and affirm that people with dementia are people 'unconditionally held within the love of God', people who retain their personhood until they die, though it may be difficult to access.

I particularly like Goldsmith's style and skill of presentation. He offers an overview of the range of symptoms and behaviours covered by dementia, making the medical condition accessible for the lay person to understand. As well as being very readable, it is rich in practical advice and is set out in a thoughtful and well-documented theological and pastoral framework. The ten pages of valuable references at the end of the book are indicative of Goldsmith's thorough research.

The book contains information that people will want to know - and which those who minister ought to know. The chapter on worship is creative, stressing that 'it takes patience, knowledge of the disease, a tubful of love and acceptance of failure to minister to the person with dementia'. The prayers at the end of every chapter are particularly poignant. This important book merits prayerful reading and action.