- Madras School of Social Work releases practical guide authored by Dr. S. Priscilla and co-authored by Dr. R. Sathianathan
- Book equips families and caregivers with practical skills to navigate dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and the challenges of long-term care
- Covers early warning signs, diagnosis, behavioural changes, meaningful communication and creating dementia-friendly homes
- Dedicated caregiver toolkit offers ready-to-use formats for medication records, nutrition, home safety and family care planning
- Experts underline the importance of preserving the dignity, identity and humanity of people living with dementia while supporting those who care for them
NE LITERARY BUREAU
CHENNAI, NOV 13
Behind every person living with dementia is a caregiver navigating an emotionally demanding journey of love, uncertainty, sacrifice and responsibility. Recognising that caregiving requires not just compassion but also knowledge, practical skills and sustained emotional support, the Madras School of Social Work (MSSW) has brought out a timely resource, Caring with Courage – A Practical Guide to Empowering Dementia Caregivers, as part of its Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The book, authored by Dr. S. Priscilla and co-authored by Dr. R. Sathianathan, was formally released at Ramada by Wyndham, Egmore, Chennai, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Organised by the Centre of Excellence in Health Psychology (CoEHP), MSSW, the programme brought together around 100 participants, including dignitaries, professionals, caregivers and well-wishers.
The book was released by the Chief Guest, Dr. S. Geethalakshmi, Vice-Chancellor, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute (Deemed to be University), Chennai. The first copy was received by K. A. Mathew, IAS (Retd.), President, MSSW, in the presence of the institution’s executives.
A call for informed and compassionate care
Delivering the keynote address, C. K. Gariyali highlighted the importance of informed, compassionate and sustained support for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Dr. S. Priscilla, the first author, shared her journey of conceptualising and writing the book, including the experiences and motivation that shaped its development. Co-author Dr. R. Sathianathan subsequently shared his experiences and perspectives on the publication.
The authors emphasised that the book was developed with the purpose of inspiring, equipping and guiding dementia caregivers through practical knowledge, caregiving skills and emotional support. They highlighted its relevance at a time when dementia care is an increasingly important family, community and public health concern.
From diagnosis to dignity: A comprehensive caregiving guide
Dementia is not merely a medical condition; it is a life-changing journey for individuals, families and communities. Behind every person living with dementia is a caregiver whose journey involves love, commitment, uncertainty and immense responsibility.
Caring with Courage seeks to make that journey better informed and less isolating. It covers understanding dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, recognising early warning signs, diagnosis, behavioural changes, meaningful communication, creating a safe and dementia-friendly home, and adopting person-centred care.
With particular attention to the Indian caregiving context, the book addresses family relationships, stigma, social isolation, financial and legal planning, human rights and ethical care. It also gives considerable importance to caregivers’ own wellbeing, including self-care, resilience and support systems.
A practical toolkit for everyday caregiving
A distinctive feature of the publication is its practical caregiver toolkit, featuring ready-to-use formats for daily care, medication records, appointments, behaviour and mood monitoring, nutrition, home safety, emergency contacts and family caregiving plans.
By bringing together practical guidance and emotional support, the book seeks to help caregivers manage everyday responsibilities while safeguarding the dignity and quality of life of those in their care.
The publication carries a powerful message that captures the essence of compassionate caregiving:
“Caregiving is not just about caring for someone who is losing memories; it is about preserving their identity, dignity and humanity.”
A Platinum Jubilee commitment with a human touch
The programme was attended by C. K. Gariyali; Nataraj, IPS (Retd.), Secretary, MSSW; Dr. J. S. Gunavathy, Principal, MSSW; Dr. R. Subhashini, Dean, MSSW; Dr. S. Priscilla, First Author and Chair, CoEHP; and Dr. R. Sathianathan, Co-Author, former Director, Institute of Mental Health (IMH), and Founder, Madras Memory Clinic.
Members of the Board of Management and senior executives of MSSW, senior IAS officers, representatives of the YWCA of Madras and YMCA of Madras, and around 100 participants from diverse backgrounds also attended.
The release of Caring with Courage marked an important milestone in the institution’s 75th anniversary celebrations, reinforcing the spirit of compassionate, informed and inclusive care. The event was organised with the support of the senior executives and Board of Management of MSSW.