The Alienated: Growing Old Today

Jacqueline Parkinson, Sexual Health Nurse

Reason you chose this book

I chose this book as it has had a lasting influence on my life. The poem at the beginning epitomises our role as a nurse to look beyond the presenting circumstances and to the person beneath. It is humbling, straight talking and inspirational. The principles of alienation are discussed within the context of old age and yet can be applied to almost every environment within the nursing world. This book helped me to know that my role as a nurse is that of patient advocate and that care must be holistic and patient centred regardless of whatever commissioning review we are being subjected to or the next set of targets and policies we work with.