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References: Introduction to Dementia and Cognitive Health

A curated list of high-quality resources to deepen your understanding of dementia basics and cognitive health. Wikipedia articles offer free, well-sourced overviews; textbooks provide authoritative depth; online resources from major dementia organizations give practical, up-to-date guidance.

  1. Dementia - Wikipedia - Comprehensive overview of dementia as a syndrome, including definitions, causes, symptoms, types, epidemiology, and history. An ideal starting point for readers new to the topic covered throughout this chapter.

  2. Cognition - Wikipedia - Explains what cognition is, including memory, attention, language, and executive function. Helps readers understand the mental abilities that dementia progressively affects.

  3. Aging brain - Wikipedia - Describes normal changes in the brain associated with aging, helping readers distinguish typical age-related memory changes from the pathological decline seen in dementia.

  4. The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease, Other Dementias, and Memory Loss (6th ed.) - Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins - Johns Hopkins University Press - The classic introductory guide for families, offering a gentle, readable orientation to what dementia is, how it progresses, and what to expect.

  5. Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: What Everyone Needs to Know - Steven R. Sabat - Oxford University Press - A concise, question-and-answer introduction written for general readers, covering core concepts about dementia in a format well matched to this introductory chapter.

  6. What Is Dementia? - National Institute on Aging - A plain-language federal overview of dementia definitions, symptoms, causes, and common types. Authoritative and frequently updated, ideal for first-time learners.

  7. What is dementia? - Alzheimer's Association - Clear, patient-friendly introduction to dementia, its causes, and its relationship to Alzheimer's disease, reinforcing the foundational concepts presented in this chapter.

  8. Dementia fact sheet - World Health Organization - Global fact sheet with epidemiology, risk factors, social impact, and public health response. Gives readers a worldwide view of why dementia matters.

  9. Dementia - Mayo Clinic - Trusted clinical overview of dementia symptoms, causes, and when to see a doctor. Complements the chapter's introduction with concise medical framing.

  10. Dementia - NHS (UK) - Accessible dementia overview from the UK's National Health Service, with links to symptoms, diagnosis, and support. Useful for readers seeking a simple, trustworthy entry point.