Product Description
The author recounts the steps he took to overcome Alzheimer's disease, and recommends a program of vitamin therapy, strict diet, and the avoidance of allergens. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Alzheimers - The health food approach
For:
This book examines the dietary problems that cause alzheimers, and some other common complaints. The author evidently cured himself from a serious case of early onset Alzheimer's, and relates how. He also links diseases with a common cause (e.g. some types of schizophrenia & alzheimer's are linked) and many others.

Against:
The evidence is anecdotal (i.e. experiences "This change cured me") and I would prefer citations of medical research in support of something. If the treatments are as good as implied, a simple trial shopuld prove it.

Amazing
It's hard to believe anyone can reverse Alzheimer's - but look at John Nash in a Beautiful Mind - same concept.If only I had the monetary resources, I would have all the metal taken out of my mother's mouth and I would follow all/most of Warren's other suggestions.Alzheimer's is a hideous thief of one's faculties and dignity.

believing your doctor can cause life-threatening injury, not believing your doctor may avert certain death
Tom Warren's doctors told him to go home and to prepare to die of Alzheimer's Disease.Luckily Warren had the moxie to defy them, and the smarts to educate himself about likely causes of Alzheimer's, (in his case a heavy metal intoxication), and find a doctor willing to believe him.He recovered, and the Witnesses of Aesculapius with whom he had been dealing, were so caught up in their dogmas that they were unable to fathom his recovery; one even accused him of forging an MRI scan.

This book is a must read because it describes an incredible accomplishment, in its right every bit the equal of the exploits of Lewis and Clark, and, more importantly, because it very effectively disabuses all but the dullest of readers of the today's widespread belief in the infallibility of the Gods in White Coats.

Tom Warren had a brain that burned
I first read Tom Warren's book BEATING ALZHEIMER'S in my bioloical dentist's office where I went to have mercury safely removed from my teeth. My regular dentist had poisoned me after drilling into a "silver" mercury filling and allowing me to breathe the mercury vapor. The thing that caught my attention with this book was Tom Warren said his brain burned. My brain also burned after being exposed to the mercury vapor. When I did a heavy metals test with an ACAM doctor, high levels of aluminum also showed up. So I thinkthere is a connection between high levels of mercury and aluminum in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. I also initially lost my memory after exposure to mercury.

Every Alzheimer's patient should read this book to find out that there is hope for Alzheimer's if they will find an alternative doctor to get the toxins out of the body and brain! The first toxin that must be removed is mercury from the teeth, just like Tom Warren did. Read Hal Huggins' book IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD to find out the safe way to remove mercury from teeth.

Patient-driven Medicine
Tom Warren was brave enough to recover from Alzheimer's disease and generous enough to share his approach with others.His book is written with Alzheimer's and schizophrenic patients in mind but has a wealth of information useful for the treatment of many autoimmune diseases.Warren's dual accomplishment is amazing - recovering from Alzheimer's and outlining how others can do so.This book deserves a much wider audience. ... Read more

Product Description

In this deeply practical and warm-hearted book, eight women who lived through their husbands' declines talk frankly about the painful situations they faced, and the decisions they had to make.

"Offers solace through the sharing of life's greatest challenge for over four million families."—Joy Glenner, Executive Director of the George G. Glenner Alzheimer's Family Center, Inc. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Resources/Advocacy
The fiber of this excellent book is woven together with the voices of experienced family caregivers. In chapter one, we are introduced to eight such family members and follow them throughout the pages; examining different aspects of the disease process and individual coping skills for the evolving issues. For instance, during a discussion on sexuality, caregiver Bonnie responds, "As far as the body next to me in bed, my main concern was that he not wet it!", while Mary is quoted as saying, "There's the void. The feeling that there's a huge chunk of your life that's been plucked out, and has ceased to be a comfort and joy. It becomes either something that's mechanical, or nonexistent, or an added frustration."

This book is never preachy and always compelling. It is a warm marriage of factual information and anecdotes that are at once witty, emotional, and realistic.

In "Facing Alzheimer's", Ms. Coughlan has presented us with a clear outline of disease stages while taking a step beyond the usual textbok approach to caregiving. Her commonsense outlook in a chapter addressing "The Basis of Coping" is typical of the entire text. Coughlan states:

"A person who insists that everything must be done in a certain way will have a harder time dealing with a dementia patient than someone who is willing to be flexible and overlook unimportant things. If the dementia patient is sitting quietly in a chair looking at a book that is upside-down, the flexible caregiver will forego acting on her own response. She will not risk a bad reaction by going over and turning the book right side up. The more she is able to overlook, the more contented everyone will be. Finding new ways of doing things, and working with the patient, rather than against him, facilitates daily management."

An omnipresent theme is the need to care for oneself in order to be the most effective caregiver possible. The families herein openly discuss methods of dealing with stress in order to caregive more salubriously. The personal accounts are interspersed with Coughlan's text:

"At that time Louie was very combative. In the middle of the night he would, if I would get up and say, "Louie, come back to bed", he would just grab my shoulders and he'd say, "What are you doing in my house?" He thought I was an intruder... Oh, it was terrible. And my son thought maybe one night I wouldn't be able to get through to him who I was, and he might hurt me..."

"In order to do what is truly best for her husband and for herself, a dementia patient's wife must develop the ability to rely on her own determination of what is correct. Perhaps what makes placing a spouse in a nursing home the hardest decision of all is that she must learn not only to rise above the judgments of others, but above her judgments of herself, as well. She must grant her own needs as much legitimacy as those of her husband, and this is something that is virtualy impossible to do in any rational, systematic way."

Family caregivers, support group leaders, dementia specialists and listeners... all would benefit from adding "Facing Alzheimer's" to the bookshelf. Remember to pull it out frequently as a quick reference as to why he behaves as he does and as written validation of your own caregiving skills.

Healing Words About Alzheimer's
In the fall of 1988, Patricia Brown Coughlan enrolled as a graduate student at Sonoma State University, and found herself drawn to classes dealing with gerontology, the study of aging. As part of her studies, she began attending meetings of a Santa Rosa-based Alzheimer's support group.

A dozen years before, Coughlan's grandmother had begun to show symptoms of Alzheimer's, a neurological disorder with psychological fallout. Already sensitized by her own personal experience, Coughlan was touched and inspired by the compassion, bravery, humor, and sheer practicality that characterized the women in the support group.

She requested permission to interview some of them for her master's thesis on women in the caregiving role. Her extensive interviews with eight of the group members eventually became "Facing Alzheimer's", a remarkable mixture of oral history, demystification, and practical information for anyone dealing with the disease. Although the book deals primarily with women, specificaly wives, as caregivers, much of the information it contains is applicable to anyone placed in a similar situation.

In spite of its sobering subject matter, Coughlan's work is never grim nor gloomy. In fact, once one has taken the mental step of deciding to "face Alzheimer's", the book is pretty much of a page-turner, as the reader connects with each of the eight storytellers, becomes familiar with her situation, and begins to understand the indomitable spirit that, in spite of varied life circumstances and personality differences, characterizes all of these women.

On one level, this is a rich emotional document, with the words and stories of Aileen, Mary, Bonnie, Helen, Irene, Edith, and Angie woven throughout the text to give the reader a deep and personal look into the actual life of an Alzheimer's caregiver. In chapter after chapter, we see through these women's eyes, following their stories from the first appearance of symptoms in their husbands, through diagnosis and attempts to learn abot the disease, through responsibility-shifts and mutual emotional turmoil when a once-independent spouse can no longer drive, deal with finances, find his way home, use the toilet. They speak of their own struggles with practical matters, their own emotional changes, their widowhood, their grief, their healing. Their words are ordinary, their spirit astounding.

On another level, by means of text that interacts with these stories, Coughlan traces the emotional and social factors that affect Alzheimer's patients and caregivers, and offers information and coping techniques for every step of the way. There are clearly laid-out sections for identifying early signs of the disease; dealing with its advancing stages and gradual physical and mental degeneration; managing day by day; handling friends and relatives; understanding changes in marital roles, sexual relationships and fiancial responsibilities; and maintaining through death, bereavement, and beyond.

On yet a third level, "Facing Alzheimer's" is a practical and accessible handbook for caregivers, providing informatin about dealing with doctors, nursing homes, family complications, financial matters, and legal considerations. It includes overviews on coping strategies, information on support groups, interviews with support-group leaders, an appendix of resources and recommended reading, an exhaustive bibliography, and a comprehensive index.

While there's a lot of information in the book, Coughlan emphasizes that "I'd like to make it very clear that this was never meant to be a scientific or sociological study. There are plenty of those out there", she says, "and while they serve a valuable purpose, most of them really aren't that helpful for people dealing with the disease on an everyday basis. I wrote this book primarily as a way to pass along the enormous quantity of information these women had acquired just by making their way successflly through the Alzheimer's scenario. I wanted to write something that other people in the same situation could use, and that someone unfamiliar with Alzheimer's could learn from."

Typical of Coughlan's approach is one of the more telling chapters that reveals the limitations of the medical profession in dealing with Alzheimer's. Since there's currently no cure for the disease, many doctors feel defeated and frustrated by Alzheimer's patients. In addition, Coughlan notes, they are often dealing not only with harrassed and bewildered caregivers, but with patients who may be in full denial and whose grasp on reality may vary widely from visit to visit.

Acknowledging the sources of both doctors' and patients' frustratons, Coughlan writes: "What is necessary for effective caregiving is not an adversarial relationship with medical personnel, but a recognition of the inherent limitations of available treatment." She does point out, however, that it is often in dealing with doctors and nursing-home personnel that women begin to emerge from frightened and passive roles and begin to take charge for both themselves and their spouses. Helen, faced with her doctor's unfeeling attitude, finally took action:

Helen: I reported her. I did. I just thought, I didn't want anyone else to get that sort of treatment. I can remember thirty or forty years ago I would have been a whipped puppy, with her attitude. Not any more.

The chapter suggests ways for caregivers like Helen to become the patients' advocates, asserting temselves appropriately when necessary and working with doctors as partners, rather than adversaries. It also includes such information as standard procedures for a good and complete diagnostic work-up for Alzheimer's.

Equally eye-opening are two chapters dealing with the heartbreaking issue of putting an ill spouse into a nursing home. Once again, Coughlan lets her narrators tell their own tales of making decisions and surmounting difficulties, and then quietly supplements them with the kind of information and criteria that can make those processes much easier to deal with.

Coughlan is, in fact, the ninth remarkable woman in this book. her clear and compassionate eye, her extremely readable writing style, and her crisp and cogent presentation of facts and information surround and reinforce her interviewees' stories without ever overwhelming them. In the end, in spite of its practical nature, "Facing Alzheimer's" has an almost tribal feeling to it, as the voices of these kind, strong, and very human survivors unite to pass on the hard-won knowledge that will enable others to survive as well.

Coping with Alzheimer's
A man with Alzheimer's disease was making his wife crazy, every night getting out of bed and dragging his pillow and blanket to the floor. Awaking several times throughout the night to return him to bed was ruining her sleep, she said, as well as his.

Finally, another woman in her support group spoke up to say she saw nothing wrong with him sleeping on the floor, if it made him happy. The exhausted woman thought about it and, gratefully, agreed.

Anyone who has ever scoffed at a support group doesn't understand that such a gathering may be the only place where a person in crisis can get advice like that. It is also the only place you'll come across a collection of people like the eight women profiled in "Facing Alzheimer's" by Patricia Brown Coughlan.

People whose worlds have been turned upside down by a loved one's dementia learn that coping calls for creative and unorthodox measures, often different from what medical professionals might suggest or the neighbors approve of. The best instructors are often people with 24-hour experience, like the ones in this book, women who took over the primary care of husbands diagnosed with the progressive brain disease.

The book grew out of Coughlan's graduate studies in gerontology at Sonoma State University and her personal experience with her afflicted grandmother.

Coughlan's women talk about how it is to suffer the loss of a mate to Alzheimer's disease, what some call a "never-ending funeral."

"He's here, but he's gone," says Angie, of Hugo, her husband of 30 years and a once-successful businessman. Bonnie, whose husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at age 60, shares the despair of being with a partner who still looks the same, but whose personality has disappeared. "I still wanted him to talk to me, and the poor man couldn't. And I'd just plead, you know, 'Please, Henry, talk to me.'"

But, just as the women counsel others in their situation, they learned how to move beyond despair and dread in order to care for their husbands and save themselves. They represent a generation of women raised to be "nice" and "not complain". Yet, when their husbands got sick, they got tough. They became ferocious advocates, taking on unfeeling doctors, surly nursing home attendants, rude health insurance processors. Caregivers, says Coughlan, eventually recognize that they know better than the professionals how to individually handle thier Alzheimer patients.

Sonoma County readers can take pride in this book, not only because the author lives in Sebastopol, but because her eight wonderful subjects also live in the region. The agencies and programs they turned to for support are local, including the Sonoma County Alzheimer's Task Force, Catholic Charities Alzheimer's Respite Center, and the Sonoma County Ombudsman Program. Surely there will be many people across the country who will read this book and wish that they had the same kind of services in their community.

All the caregivers in her book are women, and Coughlan explains that reflects reality. "At the present time, caregiving is still something that falls most heavily upon women." She does, however, note that there are many men who provide care for their sick wives and parents, including her own grandfather. No matter who does it, it's a full time job.

Not only is Coughlan respectful and admiring of her subjects, she obviously likes them. So will the reader. After all the nightmare years ending with her husband's death, Bonnie wishes her late husband well. "I hope Henry's in a great body somewhere, having great sex."

The women were obviously willing to speak frankly, on just about every subject. "Have I ever had self-pity? Yes. I felt cheated, and abused, and all the other unpleasant emotions", says Mary.

As much as the women show great sensitivity for their husbands' tragic changes, so does Coughlan sympathize with the women. "If Hugo's vision of his future self was destroyed by the specter of an incompetent man being pushed in a wheelchair, then Angie's vision of her future self was destroyed by the vision of a woman pushing one."

Coughlan also interviewed leaders of Alzheimer support groups who offer special insight into how this memory-robbing disease is different from ordinary forgetfulness. "It's not: 'I've lost my keys'; it's 'What do keys do?'"

The book includes a list of Alzheimer's organizations, how to do a living will, financial planning strategies, and a good bibliography of other resource books on Alzheimer's.

There's also a reminder to enjoy the present, because while these eight women are very special there is nothing exclusive about a disease that affects more than 4 million Americans. Aileen's advice: "Take time to do what you want to do. My neighbors, ever since Louie got sick, and they saw what happened, they go on a cruise every year."

On a personal note, I'm familiar with the Santa Rosa Alzheimer's support group and recognize some of the women in this book. The first time I met the group I was a reporter doing a story on the disease and how it affects families. A year later I was back, sitting in the same circle, minus my notebook, not a journalist but the daughter of a newly diagnosed Alzheimer patient. I'm not sure if it was Mabel or Mary, but someone very kind passed me the kleenex.

Facing Alzheimer's
To face: to confront directly and boldly, to meet bravely. This is what eight women did when their husbands were stricken with dementing illnesses. Not only that, they agreed to be interviewed by Sebastopol author Patricia Brown Coughlan, to share their words with others facing similar chalenges. These women, and their insights and experiences, stand as role models to others in Coughlan's book, "Facing Alzheimer's." Coughlan's personal experience began 16 years ago when her grandmother's behavior began to change. There was the afternoonshe got lost during a walk near Patricia's home, the day she held a garden hose but could't find the water faucet, the timeshe couldn't find her way to the bathroom. Coughlan's interest grew while attending an Alzheimer's support group in connection with her gerontology studies at Sonoma State University. It was through this group that she met the eight women who form the backbone of her book. "Facing Alzheimer's" strikes me as an indispensable resource for anyone who has a friend or family member with Alzheimer's, for the disease can be a web of confusion, not only to the patient but to the caregiver as well. The book discusses the often frustrating dealings with the medical profession. It covers nursing home placement and how to choose if placement becomes a necessity. It includes financial and legal considerations. But it also gives specific, helpful advice on how to manage day to day and this may be its most

beneficial gift. With all the information contained in its pages, the book is never overwhelming. It feels like a support group between your hands or a conversation over tea with a dear friend. The sensitivity with which Coughlan writes and the honest words of the eight women should give renewed faith to those dealing with Alzheimer's and other dementing illnesses. Coughlan is careful to point out, however, that although there is wonderful support learned from others' experiences, the road

of caregiver is one you must travel yourself. Finding your own way, making your own decisions, and having faith in your judgment may be frightening at first, but as the women in the book share, these are eventually empowering. As one support group leader said, "People... have within themselves the skills and knowledge to problem-solve... they just need encouragement and some guidance." That's exactly what Coughlan's book gives. Our community doesn't lack for creative writing talent, but I'm particularly impressed by the dedication and diligence shown by our own Patricia Brown Coughlan. She's taken an intimidating subject and made it accessible.

Patty is my mother. She is still involved in volunteer work.
My mother was so amazed when she saw that she was on the internet. she prefers to work in smaller ways. She recently assumed a position on the Marin county, CA alzheimer's association board of directors. She iscurrently working on nursing care reform, and is trying to get anotherwriting project going. She has been involved with alzheimers research sinceI was a child, and her passion has grown no less. She admits that if shewere to begin writing her book now, it would be different, but I believe itis still valuable to those who need it, or even those who are justinterested. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review
Few books manage to balance practical suggestions and loving sympathy as well as Talking to Alzheimer's, a concise and comprehensive guide to communication with both paid caregivers and their patients. While the title suggests focus on a specific disease, the recommendations are appropriate for any family struggling with serious communication issues, whether those issues are the result of stroke, surgery, disease, or an accident.

Much of the book discusses methods of easing conversation during visits, as well as ways to manage the emotions that can surface in difficult times. From asking open-ended questions like, "How did your day go?" to gently reintroducing yourself to lifelong friends, the pointers here are written with kindness, and they focus on maintaining dignity for all involved. Short sections include tips on involving children in your visits and a welcome list of resources that spans organizations, Web sites, and additional books; this straightforward advice even includes expected response time to Web site inquiries. Instead of an index, you'll find a list of topics, so you can find immediate answers on "ending a conversation" and "when to insist."

One lengthy chapter covers the heartbreakers, such as dealing with refusals to eat or listening to tearful requests to be taken home. Author Claudia Strauss acknowledges the difficulty of these situations honestly, while at the same time providing simple words that can help diffuse the issues and open the path for joyful visits that benefit everyone involved. --Jill Lightner ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Good book for caregivers
This is an exceptional book to help Alzheimer's caregivers learn to cope with this disease.

Excellent!
Such a positive approach.This book really helped me connect with my mother who has alzheimer's and is in a nursing home.I felt that I was making her more comfortable with our visits and not as confused.Thank you, Claudia J. Strauss for your helpful suggestions.

Not relevant enough
This book is basically a "feel good" book and doesn't address the grittiness of dementia/alzheimer disease.There are many of us whose loved ones/friends have become extremely hateful and vitriolic, and this book does nothing to give us some glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel."The 36-hour Day" is a much better and more comprehensive book.

Too much focus on what NOT to do
There are not a lot of books out there that even attempt to help people learn how to talk to a person with Alzheimers. I was very happy to find this book at all since I have just begun working at a day center program for persons with Alzheimers and dementia. This book is full of practical advice on the many ways and reasons we talk to persons with dementia and in that way, the book is extremely valuable.However,the overall emphasis of the examples is on what NOT to do, which is very frustrating. One of the reasons people seek out such a book in the first place is that they have already had some communicative breakdown and they are looking for ways to fix it, not more lists of what not to do.We already know what doesn't work. We want to know what does work.That said, please know that there is a wonderful small section with a parallel list of Don'ts and Do's near the end of the book. That section is worth looking at.

A how to "Talking to Alzheimer"guide
I first saw this book in the waiting room of a Dr. my mother was meeting with.I didn't have too much time to get into it then so I purchased it later and what a tremendous book, so easy to read and it had situations I am currenlty dealing with and the appropriate responses.I took it to my support group for caregivers and shared it with the group, some were going to purchase the next day. My thanks toClaudia Strauss for writing it!! ... Read more

Product Description
With the number of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimers continuing to grow, it is estimated that by the middle of the twenty-first century this devastating disease will affect more than ten million Americans. With these alarming increases, the number of people needing a concise, comprehensive, and affordable guide to treatment has soared.

A Caregiver's Guide is designed for use by paid caregivers and families alike. It provides information about Alzheimers disease, its diagnosis and stages, and treatments. It offers up-to-date suggestions for ensuring a safe home environment, as well as practical tips on communicating, activities, bathing, eating, spirituality, and sexuality. ... Read more

Product Description
Imagine hearing these words: "She has Alzheimer's." Now imagine that "she" is vibrant, active, loving, healthy...and just 55. Acclaimed CBS News reporter Barry Petersen, writes about hearing the unimaginable: what it meant, what it still means, what he did--and didn't do--and how this beautiful love story needs to be read by the thousands of families who have already heard that same devastating diagnosis...EARLY ONSET ALZHEIMER'S. Jan's Story is a full, rich story of two people--and thousands like them--for whom "forever" suddenly and terrifyingly has an expiration date. Barry Petersen is a long-time, award-winning TV journalist who has covered wars, the devastating Asian tsunami, the historic confrontation at Tiananmen Square, the unspeakable deaths in Rwanda, and so much more...but was not even slightly prepared for what happened to his darling wife, Jan. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (39)

Ultimately comes across as self-serving
In some sense no one is given the right to comment on someone else's experience, but I was dismayed at the end of this book by how the author ultimately deals with his loneliness due to the decline of his wife suffering from Alzheimer's, by seeking out and entering into a relationship with another woman while his wife is still living. As I know personally, caregivers are under a tremendous deal of stress, but substantial support is available - medically, emotionally and spiritually. No one chooses this calling, but taking care of oneself while caregiving needn't extend to this level.

I Learned a Lot
This is a good way to learn about Alzheimers.To learn about it so that you can deal with it in the best way.

I intend to read this book again and again, because it makes me feel that I understand better what is happening as we go from the beginning to the end.

I heard about this book when the man who wrote it (Barry Petersen) was interviewed on television.He really knew the difficulties of Alzheimers because he was living with it - and he conveyed it so well.

I went from the TV to Amazon and I am so glad I did.

A fine account, highly recommended!
JAN'S STORY: LOVE LOST TO THE LONG GOODBYE OF ALZHEIMER'S tells of love lost to early onset Alzheimer's Disease - and of ongoing love. This coverage tells of how Barry and Jan came together - and how Alzheimer's parted them. It's both a celebration of life and a story of how a loving couple battled disease as long as they could, and it offers an inspiring story of courage, optimism, and decreasing options. A fine account, highly recommended!

Jan's Story by Barry Petersen
Jan's story is a "must read" for those who are now going through or have already experienced the caregiving of a loved one with Alzheimer's or a similar related dementia illness.I have gone through it myself with my beloved first husband, and I can honestly say that there IS a light at the end of the tunnel. I am now blessed with another loving, caring husband, and we treasure each moment of each day that we have with each other.
The book was truly a loving tribute to the endearing love that Jan & Barry shared together before the devastating disease seemed to take over.It's also a story of the strength to carry on, of hope and renewal,and the healing of the heart as we progress forward on life's journey.

A Must Read

This book gives an excellent understanding of how Alzheimer's develops in the everyday life of a happily married couple. After reading it, you truly realize what empathy, understanding, and patience it takes for the ones on both sides of the disease to handle all the unexpected circumstances.
... Read more

Product Description
ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVERS GET HELP . . . WITH A NEW BOOK FROM RAYVE

Hundreds of Activities for Men and Women with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders

Contains an incredible compilation of creative activities and fascinating information that will benefit both Alzheimer's caregivers and patients. The 288-page, idea-packed book has suggestions for everyday and special-occasion activities, and facilitates communication between caregiver and AD patient with helpful details about social eras the patient may have experienced during his or her lifetime, U.S. holidays, religious holy days, and modern invention timelines. In addition, there are topic-appropriate questions to ask the patient, tips for successful activities, caregivers' anecdotes, resource lists, encouraging words, and much more. (See Contents below). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Was sent a 10 yr old discarded library book to my surprise!
Was very dissapointed when I received a discarded 10 yr old library book which was probably free to the seller or one of those 25 cent buys at a library rummage sale.Seller probably made 10-20 times what they paid for it.It's so old that the information is usless.

Better for 1:1 interaction than groups
This gives a lot of ideas for 1:1 interaction for at home or long term situations.It is not as helpful for groups or an acute care setting.

Not so great
This book is a thumb-nail reference for ideas to enrich the lives of those with Alzheimer's or other senile dementing disorders. However, as a professional therapist, I find the ideas rather involved. I believe these ideas are more appropriate for primary caregivers and family. As someone who visits ALFs, I'd have to have a HUGE bag of tricks to accomplish most of these activities (and each tailored to the individuals' pasts).

Alzheimer's Actiities
An excellent resource for caregivers of Alzheimer patients.Not quite as good for workers in the field.

Good Work
Hi, I am very please with this book.I had to wait about 2 weeks but it was worth the wait.Thanks! ... Read more

Product Description
A valuable tool to provide both children and adults a better understanding of dementia while helping them through the trauma of their situation.

Andrew's beloved grandmother is acting strange. When she has to come live in his house, Andrew's life suddenly is turned upside down. Grandma scares his friends and accuses him of things he did not do. HE hates her.

Mom has to explain to him why Grandma acts as she does. They learn what they need to do to make life tolerable for everyone. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very poorly done book
I bought this book based on the description and that it is listed under Product Description on Amazon as being for ages 4-8.This, in fact, is not true.The book itself states it is for Grades 3-4 with interest level at ages 9-12!On top of that the illustrations are very poor and the way it is written, in parts, leaves nothing but fear and negativity without reasoning.This is definitely not for younger children.The way the subject was handled was very poor.

Excellent book
Alzheimer's Disease is extremely difficult for anyone to understand, especially children.This book explains to children some of the symptoms of the disease in a storybook fashion.If anyone in your family suffers from Alzheimer's, this book will help you, your children, and everyone involved! ... Read more

Product Description
Has Alzheimer's disease touched your life yet? If not, it will be near impossible to escape its affect on family, friends or even yourself, as it reaches epidemic proportions in the near future. Every 70 seconds, someone develops AD. By Mid-century, scientists predict the incidence will increase to one every 33 seconds. The clock is ticking unless we find a cure.

Essays on Living with Alzheimer's Disease: The First Twelve Months shares an overview of scientific and historical data, along with personal experiences of the author, a psychologist, in becoming a caregiver and ultimately a patient. Become privy to the intimate feelings of the author as she watches loved ones suffer then has the dreaded diagnosis applied to her own life in a rather bizarre way. Share her feelings as she makes the decision to not become a victim - to do what she can to slow the process then to get on with her life. Find out what comes next after the diagnosis; read about steps the author has taken to adjust and perhaps extend her mental functioning a bit longer. The journey can be a long, lonely one. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Alzheimer's Disease Eye-Opener
Before reading this book I knew nothing about Alzheimer's disease (AD) or how wide-spread it was (and in the future is expected to become).

This book is an eye-opener and a "must read" for everyone -- because we are all touched by AD in one way or another.It should be required reading in all colleges and universities.It is particularly informative not only because the author, a PhD psychologist, has professionally treated many AD patients but because she was a AD caregiver for her late mother and sadly, just over a year ago, was diagnosed with the disease.

A well written uncomplicated read warranting the very highest marks. ... Read more

Product Description
Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder afflict only five to six percent of older people, but this means approximately three to four million Americans have one of these debilitating disorders.The annual economic toll of Alzheimer's disease in the United States in terms of health care expenses and lost wages is estimated at $80 to $100 billion.

Alzheimer's Disease Sourcebook, 2nd edition, provides current information on Alzheimer's disease and other dementia, including multi-infarct dementia, AIDS-related dementia, alcoholic dementia, Huntington's disease, Binswanger's disease, metachromatic leukodystrophy, Pick's disease, corticobasal degeneration, delirium, and confusional states.

This Sourcebook helps readers recognize the warning signs of Alzheimer's disease and the symptoms of other dementia.It provides information to help patients and their families understand the differences between reversible and irreversible causes of dementia, comprehend the results of current research initiatives, and know what to expect as Alzheimer's disease progresses. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
This edition includes the latest information on Alzheimer’s risk factors, treatments, and prevention, as well as a new chapter, "Voices of Experience," composed of reflections by family members. It also provides information about new drugs approved since 1999 and the federal government’s decision to cover counseling and other health-related services through Medicare. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

a very practical book
This is by far one of the most helpful books if you have someone in your life who has AD

You can judge this book by its title.
I originally listened to an abridged version of this book which I found in my local library.It was so helpful that I listened to it twice, and then ordered several copies of the paperback to share with my six siblings, and with our 83-year-old mother, who has just been diagnosed.

The book was a little late for my brother and sister who live in town with Mom and are dealing with the every day issues, but it reinforced what they have done and are doing: the book could have been a case study of our family's experience, and that is a comfort.It was just in time for those of us who live far away, and whose most frequent interaction with Mom is on the phone, where she's been able to put up a good front for quite a while.And on a recent visit to see Mom, I mentioned that I had this book which gave, among other things, a very good layman's primer to the biology of the disease; her native curiosity was in place that day, and she said she'd like to read that.She still has my copy, and talks about how interesting it has been for her to read.

The book has helped to equip me for direct conversations, with Mom and with my siblings, which we needed to have.As a result, Mom has gone from a form of denial to being able to call her own sisters (across country) and tell them herself of her condition.This, along with my sister finally convincing her to stop driving and to accept household help (she lives alone), are major milestones made somewhat easier all around by our use of the book.

I also appreciate that while the book works at preparing us for a long haul with this disease, it spares us the details of the later stages; this is another example of "truth in packaging" I came to appreciate after giving the book to Mom to read.(Any details about the future she doesn't know now, she probably will not need to know!)

Wonderful and straight to the point
I bought this book along with 2 others, "The 36 Hour Day" and "Learning to Speak Alzheimers"I am the main caregiver for my mother-in-law and very new to being in this position.I wanted to read and discover anything that would help me be the caregiver I wanted for her and to have all the information on AD out there. I wanted to know what to expect and when to expect it as far as symptoms and odd things she would do that I didn't understand.If you are looking for a book that gives you specifics on what to look for, what to do and how to handle it, I would recommend this book and also the other 2 I purchased.These 3 books together can answer most all queations you may have about AD, what to look for at what stage and how to respond to it appropriately.

Excellent Book
I was reading everything I could find on the subject, but I wished that there was a book about the early stages.I was a long way from needing all of the end of life material I was reading.I found my answers in this book and will review it as time goes on.Thank you.

Must Read for family of Dementia Patient
If you have a loved one that is showing early dementia signs, this is a must read!If you do not know and understand what you will be facing, it will be unbelievably difficult.But this book can help you understand what is happening so you do not take personally what is being said and done by your loved one. ... Read more

Product Description
With gentle reassurances and support from her family, young Libby learns how Alzheimer's disease will ultimately affect her grandmother and discovers ways to handle her feelings and worries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must for Alzheimer's affected families....
This was a very well done book, a must for anyone with a child that needs help explaining what is happening with grandma/grandpa and Alzheimer's. Well presented and beautifully illustrated. Well done, Ms. Schnurbush. ... Read more

Product Description
...a sensitive and valuable guide to assessment and treatment of individuals and groups in the three stages of alzheimer's disease ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Sensitive, uplifting, information.
This book is written thorough the eyes and emotions of individualcaregivers and patients.The stories are sensitive, uplifting, informativeand reflect the uniqueness that is so much a part of the ever changingtapestry of the individuals who have Alzheimer's Disease.What captured myattention was the creativity these caregivers used to cope, the developmentof strengths that were unexpected, and the sense of life and love andlaughter that occurred in spite of extreme conditions.The caregivers whocontributed to this book seemed to develop a sense of peace aboutthemselves and their loved ones as the illness progressed.It is importantfor caregivers to know, especially caregivers entering the early stages ofthis illness with a loved one, that peace and love can be a continuing partof the relationship even into the last stages.There aren't manypublications which tell you this and it's almost impossible to imagine ityourself as life begins to deteriorate.I highly recommend this reading. ... Read more

Product Description
The Giants were the cousins of the Olympians, who rebelled and were defeated. "When all the gods had slaked their thirst for particular vengeance there were still a few Giants left over, dead in all their various shapes and sizes.Hercules looked around a bit to see if anyone was looking, then brushed them all under one Mykonos."In antiquity, Mykonos had little going for it, apart from being the sibling island to Delos, birthplace of Apollo.The Persians regrouped there after their defeat in 490 BCE at Marathon.Throughout most of the first 1000 years CE regular pillaging by the Turks impoverished the inhabitants.With its labrynthine streets and minimal buildings, it became a haven, hiding spies all the way up through the Napoleonic and First World Wars. James Davidson, a brilliant young classical scholar, visited Mykonos for the gay Festival of the Twelve Gods and found it a hedonistic paradise. Although he is in modern Mykonos, ancient Mykonos' history and mythology periodically consume the narrative, asserting their influence and power.Part travelogue, part classical history, part personal essay, part mythology, this is a witty and fascinating gem of a book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

shedding light on a dark subject
Symphony of Spirits is really an amazing book, and I've read a few in my time. Adding an understanding of the spiritual dimension to the practice of medicine, especially when caring for the elderly and infirmed with dementia and other debilitating diseases will benefit anyone who is in the profession. It will also provide some solace for family members and friends watching their loved ones disappear before their very eyes, both mentally and physically. We're all on a journey, and what Deborah Forrest so bravely and wisely shares with her readers will shed some light on the long and winding road back home. Symphony of Spirits : Encounters With the Spiritual Dimensions of Alzheimer's

Great Insights
This book was very helpful in looking what elders go through in their end-of-life transitions.Some families won't understand it, but it brought great insights to my work. ... Read more

Product Description
The health care of a family member with Alzheimer’s disease—from routine doctors’ visits to hospitalization and recovery—can prove daunting for even the most knowledgeable and dedicated caregiver. How to Get the Best Medical Care for Your Relative with Alzheimer’s Disease offers readers clear explanations and sensitive advice about how to meet the needs of their loved ones with Alzheimer’s both inside and outside of a hospital—and meet their own needs as well. Mittelman and Epstein draw on both professional knowledge and personal experience: In addition to their notable medical and research backgrounds, both authors have cared for a parent with dementia. How to Get the Best Medical Care for Your Relative with Alzheimer’s Disease is a valuable resource with specific, practical, and sensitive advice not only for family members, but also for health-care providers and all others involved in the care of the growing population of Alzheimer’s patients. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must for anyone coping with Alzheimer's
I first became aware of this book when it was published on a smale scale for people that the authors and their colleagues encountered in their clinical work at an Alzheimer's center in New York City. I urged the authors to share this important book with a wider audeince and I am most pleased that they have done so with the publication of this paperback.

Health care for persons with Alzheimer's disease is a two-edged sword. If there is a coexisting medical condition, there is potential for great good or great harm at the hands of medical practitioners. The authors offer loads of advice about how to ensure that good is done and harm is avoided. This is a guide book that should be read once and then kept close at hand, in case of an acute illness or some other unforseen condition that requires medical attention. Mary Mitteman and Cynthia Epstein are to be commended for helping individuals and families navigate their way through the increasing complex health care maze. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is one of the best case histories of Alzheimer's Disease that you will find and it is the only book about home care of an Alzheimer's family member available today.

There are 4 million people currently with this illness, 80% of them are cared for at home.

Thomas V. Murphy struggled for 14 years with this illness and was maintained in his home by his wife, Beverly, until he died.Beverly speaks of how she grew into her role as caregiver and how she solved the many problems that faced her as the demands of his illness increased.She also speaks of the bias she experienced once her husband began to lose his abilities and she speaks of the grieving, the humor and the strength she found as she faced the challenges one by one.You will laugh and you will cry but you will not be bored by this book.Her wit, realistic attitude, and common sense come through as she speaks with loving respect about their experience.The ever present love story is further enhanced by her use of the lyrics of old love songs which begin each chapter.She is a professional with 25 years experience working with profoundly handicapped people and who has had the unique experience of also being a caregiver.This is not the usual caregiver book about a dreadful illness but is a love story from beginning to end. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Inside Alzheimer's
This book is a heart-breaker but also a love story. My father recently died of Alzheimers. There is hope and healing when stories and pain are shared. That must have taken tremendous courage to document this downhill struggle with a seemed "unhappy" ending. God bless you.

A Story of Unconditional Love
In a 348 page book that reads like a novel, Beverly Bigtree Murphy tells a love story-- of a lifetime of love shared in a few years with her husband, Tom Murphy, as he began his descent into Alzheimer's disease. Soon after their whirlwind romance culminated in marriage, Tom's successful career began to decline as the disease they would later come to know as Alzheimer's began it's destruction of his brillant mind and charismatic personality. Beverly soon found herself thrust into the role of caregiver for her beloved new husband, and into legal battles concerning his care, as well as going in circles in search of medical help before the diagnosis of Alzheimer's. The emotional turmoil caregivers know well is shared in Beverly's story, along with practice advice from her as a professional as well as a caregiver. Her book also incudes the stages of Alzheimer's, an annotated list of books Beverly found most helpful, and other suggested reading on grief and positive thinking as well as Alzheimer's and caregiving. Beverly's Web Site at ... offers practical suggestions to help with incontinence care and for dealing with challenging behaviors as well as information about her book. He Used to Be Somebody, is a story of unconditional love-- a love that did not end even through all the turmoil brought about by Alzheimer's, and the old love song lyrics at the beginning of each chapter are just one more evidence of this, weaving together the story of Tom and Beverly Murphy and their unending love. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (9)

Hundreds of Clear Voices
Betsy Peterson includes at the start of her book a brief history of the fourteen years (fourteen years!) she spent looking after her husband Pete as he descended into Alzheimer's. But most of the book is a compilation of quotes by Alzheimer's patients, their caregivers, and an occasional counselor or author. The quotations are divided into 32 sections, with topics such as Something's Wrong, Invisible Disability, and As Words Fail, and I read almost every line with interest.

The author Sue Miller is represented, with a passage from her book that I wish I'd paid more attention to when I first read it:"I didn't know then that aggression and disruptive bahavior are often signs of physical discomfort in Alzheimer's patients. Now that I do, I suspect my father was in pain during these episodes, but that he himself had no understanding of this in a conventional sense and certainly no way to say, `I hurt.'"

S.G., a daughter, tells us, "My sister noticed that my mother was having difficulty holding down any food. She also seemed very weak and despondent. When we questioned her about how she felt, she was `just fine.'We took her to the hospital and discovered she'd had a severe heart attack. You need to be suspicious, doubting, persistent and very observant to diagnose illness in an Alzheimer's patient."

There are hundreds of entries, some longer than these, many shorter."A degree of denial is essential," one patient writes. "Like somebody sipping hot coffee, we sip the truth of our condition carefully and gently."

Some show a world in a single line: "She follows me all over the house. Follows me around like a puppy dog."

I could go on quoting, but best buy the book and keep it close. You'll find a hundred revelations that will touch your heart, and a hundred more that will reveal something new about this earthquake of a disease.

The Courage of Love
I was overwhelmed by the brilliance of this book, which highlighted the depth of the author's understanding of living with Alzheimer's Disease. The author had surrounded her husband with love as she learned to deal with his progressive neurological condition. She also portrayed in a remarkable way the differing situations of others who have struggled to understand, care for their loved onesand to maintain and develop self-care. Knowing the author personally, I am not surprised at the charm and creativity which emanate from this lovely book about one of the most devastating illnesses we can imagine. I was truly blessed to have been one of the support group leaders for families of people with Alzheimer's disease; I am not impartial since I have always been in awe of the author's concern for others,her unconditional love for her husband and her own unique gifts of style and grace.

Voices of Alzheimer's
A great book that outlines my ideas on facing the caregiving of someone with dementia!

Thanks for writting this book
This book is a small treasure.I keep picking it up a reading different passages.It helps me understand and appreciate my father, who has Alzheimer's, in ways that I have forgotten.

It helped the whole family, even dad picked it up to read.

Thanks for a fabulous book,

I am one of the people in this book
My name is Doreen. I am one of the people in Betsy Peterson's book. She mailed me a signed copy which I have lent to other people and they also found it very useful.I am writing this to let people know that even though the book is called Voices of Alzheimers, it is really a book about Dementia in general (my diagnosis is Pick's Disease, not Alzheimers and as the book indicates they later changed Betsy Peterson's husband's diagnosis from Alzheimer's to another dementia). So if youhave a family member who has a dementia other than Alzheimers, you can also find helpful (and hopeful) information in this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Working from the intriguing hypothesis that Alzheimer's dementia is the result of a renegade protein-beta amyloid-Tanzi and others set out to find the gene responsible for its production. Decoding Darkness takes us deep into the minds and far-flung labs of many a prominent researcher, offering an intimate view of the high stakes of molecular genetics, the revolution that propels it, the obstacles that threaten to derail it, and the families whose lives are so dependent upon it. Tanzi and Parson ultimately reveal that Alzheimer's, like heart disease, may be effectively treated-even prevented.Amazon.com Review
Alzheimer's disease, a fatal, annihilating brain disorder,affects millions of men and women around the world. In the UnitedStates alone, perhaps one in five persons aged 75 or older suffersfrom it, though hundreds of thousands of younger people also bear thecondition.

Despite its ubiquity, the malady was, until recently, considered a"backwater disease" to which little research attention (and funding)was paid. Advances in gene research, some spearheaded by neurologistRudolph Tanzi, have led to a new understanding of the causes ofAlzheimer's disease, and new possibilities for its cure. In thiswell-written account of that research, Tanzi and journalist-co-authorAnn Parson examine the role of amyloid neuritic plaque, "mucked-up,misfolded protein that fibrilizes and forms rock-hard aggregates thatthe body can't get rid of." This plaque occurs in humans and certainother carnivorous species (including bears and dogs), and it appearsto play a role in neurologic disorders of several kinds. Tanzi reportson recent studies in the use of cholesterol-reducing drugs inlessening levels of "brain dirt," as well as on research that suggeststhat cardiovascular exercise and a diet low in animal fats can benefitthe brain as well as the body. He even cautiously hints that theconquest of Alzheimer's may occur in the very near future. For thetime being, his book provides a thoughtful portrait of the illness andof the scholars and scientists who have devoted their lives tocombating it.--Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Mr. Tanzi's exhaustive search
I am lucky enough to be the son of a scientist who works with Mr. Tanzi, and I can tell you that you will not find many scientists who are as passionate about their work as Mr. Tanzi. His search for the cure for Alzheimers has been hard and tiring, but somehow Rudy came through. I am only a 14 year old, and I know I want to be a scientist when I grow up because of the work of both my father and Mr. Tanzi. They both teamed up from the beginning to create a better world for people devestated with these diseases, and hopefully in the future there will be a cure for these diseases which plague humanity. This book is inspirational for anyone who wants to know that the future has in store some good for mankind, and even though my opinion is not weighed very heavily against men and women who have read this book, I will tell you anyway that this book is an unbelievable look into the world of Alzheimers. If you were to read one book about the disease, read Mr. Tanzi's, for it is good for all levels of knowledge about the disease.

Fascinating Reading
Tanzi and Parson tell a fascinating story of medical discovery with great excitement and clarity. The science was not sugar coated, but was very clearly explained and written in a very literary and often amusing manner. The descriptions of the human genome project in this book were in many ways superior to those that have appeared in books prepared specifically on the topic. My interest in this book was prompted not so much from an interest in Alzheimers disease but originally came from a recommendation from a friend who actively reads books about the human genome revolution and gene research. After reading the book, I would definitely agree with her opinion that no other book in the genre explains the goals behind the human genome project (and especially how they relate to disease based research) as well as "Decoding Darkness". Also, the story of the family with inherited Alzheimers that runs parallel with the main story about the research was quite touching and provided a very nice break the excitement and hustle and bustle of the research discoveries described. Overall, I would have to say this is one of the best science genre books I have ever read...maybe the best after "The Double Helix". HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

A great achievement in science writing...
An excelllent book! Science writing at it best with definitive information on the causes of Alzheimer's.

Well Crafted, Informative Read
Ann Parson and Dr. Tanzi have put together an increadibly insightful, sensitive, and ultimately courageous portrait of the war that is being waged against this insiduous thief of conciousness. With crusaders such as Dr.Tanzi at the forefront of research to cure this disease, and gifted scribes such as Ann Parson, I feel as though I have a front row seat to an unfolding medical miracle. Kudos to Ann Parson for this superb, thought provoking work.

A Good Read, Although a Bit Technical
I found this book to be extremely intersting.In it Dr. Tanzi follows both his career and the evolution of our knowledge concerning Alzheimer's Disease.He vividly describes the thrills and disappointments that come with research, all set within the context of trying to figure out what is the cause and some possible treatments of Alzheimer's.Tanzi guides the reader through the technical aspects of what is known about the disease and what has yet to be discovered.I think that most people would enjoy it, although the reader must be aware that there are some more technical aspects to his discussion. ... Read more

Product Description
Presentation of a model of care for Alzheimer's patients stressing empathy and friendship, for nurses, adult day center staff, and families of patients. Emphasizes the positive aspects of situations involving Alzheimer's care rather than patients' victimization. Softcover. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

New Approach of care for Alzheimers
This is a really great text outlining a different slant on how to care for the Alzheimers disorder.I love the concept utilized in this book, and have seen it at work in a local Adult Day-Services center.As a retired nursing professional I would like to see more use of this type of therapeutic care for the mentally impaired.I hope that the book will help to educate those who care for the aged, and AD persons.The families of those patients could be helped in their respite care.

Nothing New
There are many books on the approach to Alzheimer's, of which this is one.Despite its attempt to present information for the care giver in an innovative format, there is little new here and compares unfavorably to what I consider the Gold Standard, The 36 Hour Day.

Excellent resource and training manual
I read this book as part of training to lead activities in an adult day center. It is thorough, concise and very reader friendly. This is an excellent resource for training programs and for anyone wanting to develop skills in working with persons with Alzheimer's Disease or dementia. This book is a must have.

You gotta have friends...
This past semester, my seminary (Christian Theological Seminary) was honoured to host Virginia and Wayne Bell as they led a conference on Spirituality and Aging. As we approach a time in which the issues of aging will take increasing prominence, as the baby-boomers reach a collectively-older age than any generation in history has reached, the issues surrounding health care for the elderly are of primary importance, and part of that health is mental (which includes spiritual) health. The Bells have spent much time investigating and helping in the area of Alzheimer's, a disease that affects mind, body and spirit. Virginia Bell, together with a colleague, David Troxel, collaborated on two books (one of which is the the subject of this review) presenting an innovative way for care of those with Alzheimer's: `The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care'.

Virginia Bell, MSW, is currently Program Consultant with the Lexington/Bluegrass Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. She is a graduate of Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky, and has lectured widely at national and international conference. Her co-author, David Troxel, works with the Santa Barbara chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

`"The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care" reflects a growing optimism in the field of Alzheimer's care that much can be done to improve the lives of people with the disease and to transform caregiving from a terrible burden to care that is manageable. This book represents the development of the first comprehensive model of care, which is easy to understand and learn.'

At the start of the book, Bell and Troxel describe the various experiences of those with Alzheimer's. By looking at the depression, confusion, and detachment that those with Alzheimer's experience, the caregiver gains a greater understanding and compassion for those suffering. Perhaps the most important key insight comes from a nurse and teacher, Rebecca, who began to experience symptoms of Alzheimer's at age 59.

`I dislike social workers, nurses and friends who do not treat me as a real person.'

Despite her slowly declining cognitive abilities, she is still able to sense that people are regarding her differently, as a patient, as an object, as a 'third person' rather than a real person.

Persons with Alzheimer's experience loss, sadness, confusion, isolation and loneliness, fear, frustration, anxiety, paranoia, anger, and embarrassment. The Best Friends model takes all of these into account as a normal part of everyone's life.

The second chapter gives a basic overview of Alzheimer's, giving symptoms, diagnosis, services, caregiving issues, and research news. The Best Friends model requires no specialised medical or scientific knowledge -- an appendix is included in the book for those who wish to pursue those topics in more detail.

The following chapters develop the aspects of care along the Best Friends model. This requires first assessing the strengths and abilities of the person receiving care (and this may require a daily update). An understanding of what persons with Alzheimer's may require is included as an `Alzheimer's Disease Bill of Rights'. These are important, and often overlooked, so I shall reprint them here:

Every person diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder deserves the following rights:

- To be informed of one's diagnosis
- To have appropriate, ongoing medical care
- To be productive in work and play for as long as possible
- To be treated like an adult, not like a child
- To have expressed feelings taken seriously
- To be free from psychotropic medications, if possible
- To live in a safe, structured, and predictable environment
- To enjoy meaningful activities that fill each day
- To be outdoors on a regular basis
- To have physical contact, including hugging, caressing, and hand-holding
- To be with individuals who know one's life story, including cultural and religious traditions
- To be cared for by individuals who are well trained in dementia care

A key point to being a Best Friend is that the caregiver becomes a memory aid to the person -- friends know each others' histories. Being reminded of past accomplishments, family connections, personal beliefs and traditions helps tremendously. It gets them involved in their own lives again.

Friends do many things: they share history, they do things together, they communicate, they build self-esteem, they laugh often, they work at the relationship, and they are equals. These carry over as key concepts in the Best Friends model. Bell and Troxel go into some detail about how to handle situations for the full-time caregiver, the volunteer, and for those who visit persons with Alzheimer's in care. Specific situations and general principles are presented in a clear, intelligible manner with great application potential.

An important part of the process of understanding and dealing with those with Alzheimer's is to understand oneself. Thus, there is a section on Being One's Own Best Friend. How do we react and respond? Do we give ourselves enough care? How can we care for others if we do not care for ourselves? How do we respect the needs and desires of those we care for while recognising and respecting our own needs? These are important questions, and Bell and Troxel address it by illustrating the relationship between Rebecca and Jo, her Best Friend.

`Because any of us can be touched by Alzheimer's disease, can have bad things happen to us, our friends, or our families, the ultimate message the authors wish to convey is this: We should treat everyone important to us as we would our own Best Friend.'

Philosophy of Care
Seeing the Helping Hands Adult Day Care program, which is the fruit of the philosophy of this work, was a life changing event for me. The caring and love shown by the staff of Helping Hands are living testiment to the dedication of workers to improve the quality of life for clients affected by the devastation of Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias. If all facilities,both assisted living and nursing homes, truly invested in this approach, life would indeed be different for the persons affected by this disease and their caregivers. A definite must for those struggling with the problems of caregiving those with Alzheimer's disease. ... Read more