A groundbreaking exploration of the sociology of dementia -- with contributions from distinguished international scholars and practitioners. * Organised around the four themes of personhood, care, social representations and social differentiation * Provides a critical look at dementia and demonstrates how sociology and other disciplines can help us understand its social context as well as the challenges it poses * Contributing authors explore the social terrain, responding in part, to Paul Higgs' and Chris Gilleard's highly influential work on ageing * Breaks new ground in giving specific attention to the social and cultural dimensions of responses to dementia