On 2 June 2026, the University of Groningen Press published “The caregiver's companion to intellectual disabilities and dementia: 100 real-life questions and answers” in English. This beautifully illustrated handbook was originally written in Dutch by expert Dr Alain Dekker, a lecturer at the University of Groningen and head of the Department of Practice-Oriented Scientific Research (PWO) at Alliade, a large care organisation providing care for over 8,000 people with intellectual disabilities and vulnerable elderly in the Dutch province of Friesland. In the book, Dr Dekker answers many frequently asked questions (FAQs) in clear language, drawing on the latest evidence from research and daily practice.
People with an intellectual disability are now living longer than in the past. As a result, dementia is becoming increasingly common among this population. In 100 short chapters, the book answers 100 FAQs from professional and family carers. The chapters are enriched with real-life examples, videos, illustrations and infographics. The book can be used not only as a reference, but also as a conversation starter.
Examples of some of the questions answered in the book are: What is dementia exactly? Why do people with Down syndrome have a high risk of developing it? And what about people with intellectual disabilities without Down syndrome? How do you establish a diagnosis? Who is involved in this process? What does dementia do to a person? What is the impact on fellow residents and caregivers? And how do caregivers support changes in functioning and behaviour?
The Dutch edition of the book is already a bestseller with thousands of downloads and an almost sold-out paper edition. Following repeated requests for translated versions, the book was translated into English and adapted to meet the needs of a general European public.
For more information, please contact Alain Dekker at a.d.dekker@rug.nl
The caregiver's companion can be downloaded free of charge via https://books.ugp.rug.nl/ugp/catalog/book/268 or via the QR code below
For readers who prefer a hard copy, the book is also available in print. The printed edition can be ordered via Amazon.
