Is it really Alzheimers? How to find out and intervene early to maintain the highest quality of life"Most of us will either get Alzheimers or care for a loved one who has. This action plan can empower you to make a difference."---Mehmet C. Oz, M.D.
What would you do if your mother was having memory problems? Alzheimers is a disease affecting more than five million Americans, with a new diagnosis being made every seventy-two seconds. Millions more are worried or at risk due to mild memory loss or family history. Although experts agree that early diagnosis and treatment are essential, many people with memory loss and their families---and even their doctors---dont know where to turn for authoritative, state-of-the-art advice and answers to all of their questions.
Now, combining the insights of a world-class physician and an award-winning social worker, this groundbreaking book tells you everything you need to know, including:
· The best tests to determine if this is---or is not---Alzheimers disease · The most (and least) effective medical treatments· Coping with behavioral and emotional changes through the early and middle stages· Gaining access to the latest clinical trials· Understanding the future of Alzheimers
Clear, compassionate, and empowering, The Alzheimers Action Plan is the first book that anyone dealing with mild memory loss or early Alzheimers must-read in order to preserve the highest possible quality of life for as long as possible.
Publisher: n/a
|
9780312355395
|
Hardcover
Are the Keys in the Freezer?
By Woodell, Patricia
Are the Keys in the Freezer An Advocates Guide for Alzheimers and Other Dementias Patricia Woodell, Brenda Niblock and Jeri Warner Are the Keys in the Freezer is an artful blend of practical advice and the compelling story of a familys search for the right care for their mothers dementia. A story of conflict and of light-hearted moments, Are the Keys in the Freezer is the rich testimony of one familys struggle to navigate the confusing world of dementia care choices. Their years of research and experience help readers unravel the medical, legal, and regulatory issues that affect the quality of care for loved ones who cannot make decisions for themselves. This a must-read for families looking for information about care facilities, hospices, finances and costs of care, advance directives, and other topics related to managing the affairs of people with dementia.
Publisher: n/a
|
9781492927440
|
Print book
Understanding Alzheimer's
By Draper, Brian
Although every day we read news reports linking health problems to diet and lifestyle, there remains significant confusion regarding the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Worldwide, more than 35 million people are currently suffering from Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to increase substantially over the next decade.Understanding Alzheimer’s introduces readers to the inner workings of Alzheimer’s, how the disease progresses, and what patients and caregivers can do to live with the disease. Following the astonishing path sufferers take from being sharp-minded to cognitively impaired, the book reveals how patients and their loved ones can cope with its mental, physical, and economic effects. Dr. Naheed Ali sifts through the information currently available on Alzheimer’s to clearly and accessibly illustrate how Alzheimer’s works, how we can prevent it, and how we can address it once symptoms begin to appear.
Publisher: n/a
|
9781442217539
|
Hardcover
The Other Brain
By Fields, R. Douglas
Despite everything that has been written about the brain, a very important part of this vital organ has been overlooked in most books -- until now. The Other Brain is the story of glia, which make up approximately 85 percent of the cells in the brain. Long neglected as little more than cerebral packing material ("glia" means glue), glia are sparking a revolution in brain science. Glia are completely different from neurons, the brain cells that we are familiar with. Scientists are discovering that glia have their own communication network, which operates in parallel to the more familiar communication among neurons. Glia provide the insulation for the neurons, and glia even regulate the flow of information between neurons. But it is the potential breakthroughs for medical science that are the most exciting frontier in glia research today.
Publisher: n/a
|
9780743291415
|
Hardcover
HOPE for the Alzheimer's Journey
By Amos, Carol B.
H.O.P.E. for the Alzheimer's Journey equips Alzheimer's caregivers with knowledge, tools, and advice for their difficult road ahead. The concepts are conveyed in an open, honest, and creative manner using original family email communications from Carol B. Amos's own journey. Carol also introduces The Caregiving Principle: a simple approach that provides a deeper understanding of a person with Alzheimer's disease and a framework for the caregiver's role. She provides examples of how The Caregiving Principle helped her connect with her mother. H.O.P.E. for the Alzheimer's Journey encourages caregivers to take care of themselves and provides inspiration for a less stressful, more rewarding journey.
Publisher: n/a
|
9781683509035
|
Paperback
The Last Ocean
By Gerrard, Nicci
From the award-winning journalist and author, a lyrical, raw and humane investigation of dementia that explores both the journeys of the people who live with the condition and those of their loved onesAfter a diagnosis of dementia, Nicci Gerrard's father, John, continued to live life on his own terms, alongside the disease. But when an isolating hospital stay precipitated a dramatic turn for the worse, Gerrard, an award-winning journalist and author, recognized that it was not just the disease, but misguided protocol and harmful practices that cause such pain at the end of life. Gerrard was inspired to seek a better course for all who suffer because of the disease. The Last Ocean is Gerrard's investigation into what dementia does to both the person who lives with the condition and to their caregivers. Dementia is now one of the leading causes of death in the West, and this necessary book will offer both comfort and a map to those walking through it. While she begins with her father's long slip into forgetting, Gerrard expands to examine dementia writ large. Gerrard gives raw but literary shape both to the unimaginable loss of one's own faculties, as well as to the pain of their loved ones. Her lens is unflinching, but Gerrard honors her subjects and finds the beauty and the humanity in their seemingly diminished states. In so doing, she examines the philosophy of what it means to have a self, as well as how we can offer dignity and peace to those who suffer with this terrible disease. Not only will it aid those walking with dementia patients, The Last Ocean will prompt all of us to think on the nature of a life well lived.
Publisher: n/a
|
9780525521969
|
Hardcover
The Inheritance
By Kapsambelis, Niki
An inspiring race against time: The courageous, hopeful story of the one family who may hold the key to finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease.Every sixty-nine seconds, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Of the top ten killers, it is the only disease for which there is no cure or treatment. For most people, there is nothing that they can do to fight back. But one family is doing all they can. The DeMoe family has the most devastating form of the disease that there is: early onset Alzheimer's, an inherited genetic mutation that causes the disease in 100 percent of cases, and has a 50 percent chance of being passed onto the next generation. Of the six DeMoe children whose father had it, five have inherited the gene; the sixth, Karla, has inherited responsibility for all of them. But rather than give up in the face of such news, the DeMoes have agreed to spend their precious, abbreviated years as part of a worldwide study that could utterly change the landscape of Alzheimer's research and offers the brightest hope for future treatments - and possibly a cure. Drawing from several years of in-depth research with this charming and upbeat family, journalist Niki Kapsambelis tells the story of Alzheimer's through the humanizing lens of these ordinary people made extraordinary by both their terrible circumstances and their bravery. Their tale is intertwined with the dramatic narrative history of the disease, the cutting-edge research that brings us ever closer to a possible cure, and the accounts of the extraordinary doctors spearheading these groundbreaking studies. From the oil fields of North Dakota to the jungles of Colombia, this incredible narrative redefines courage in the face of one of the most pervasive and mysterious pandemics of our time.
Publisher: n/a
|
9781451697223
|
Hardcover
What You Need to Know about Alzheimer's
By Medina, John
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking and behaviour. Although Alzheimer's can occur in middle age it is more likely to occur as a person gets older. This introduction details the symptoms, explain
Publisher: n/a
|
1572241276
|
Chicken Soup for the Soul
By Newmark, Amy
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimers or another form of dementia? You are not alone. With 101 encouraging and inspiring stories by others like you, this book is a source of support and encouragement throughout your caregiving journey. Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia affect millions of people, and this book is especially for caregivers. This collection, a joint project with the Alzheimers Association, is filled with 101 stories of love and lessons from others like you, will support and encourage you as you care for your loved one.,
Publisher: n/a
|
9781611599343
|
Book
A Loving Approach To Dementia Care, 2nd Edition
By Wayman, Laura
Caring for someone with dementia means devotedly and patiently doing a hundred little things each day. Few care providers are trained to meet the challenges of dementia, however-and that is where A Loving Approach to Dementia Care can help. The book offers practical, compassionate advice on overcoming caregiving obstacles and maintaining meaningful relationships with loved ones who have dementia and memory loss.Laura Wayman's program of care emphasizes communication, affirmative response, and empowerment-transforming the caregiving process from a burden into a fulfilling journey. Her true stories of caregiving illustrate the principles of this loving approach, giving listeners essential tools for connecting with people who have dementia. A practitioner whose strategies have seen great success in thousands of individual homes and facilities across the country, Wayman shows how understanding the limits and possibilities of the person who has dementia can make all the difference in the world.
Publisher: n/a
|
9781684575756
|
Audiobook
Thoughtful Dementia Care
By Ghent-fuller, Jennifer B
An easy-to-read and sensitive portrayal of the changing world of people with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease or other diseases, and those who care for them. Offers insights into emotional reactions and practical suggestions based on deep understanding of the way people with dementia view many situations. The author carefully explains the loss of various types of memory and other thinking processes. She describes how these losses affect the day to day life of people with dementia, their understanding of the world around them and their personal situations. The many portrayals of real life experiences clarify and deepen the explanations. Jennifer is a nurse who worked for many years as an educator and counsellor for people with dementia and their families, as well as others in caring roles.
Publisher: n/a
|
9781480007574
|
Print book
Biographies/Memoirs:
Ladysitting
By Cary, Lorene
Lorene Cary's grandmother moves in, and everything changes: day-to-day life, family relationships, the Nana she knew -- even their shared past.From cherished memories of weekends she spent as a child with her indulgent Nana to the reality of the year she spent "ladysitting" her now frail grandmother, Lorene Cary journeys through stories of their time together and five generations of their African American family. Brilliantly weaving a narrative of her complicated yet transformative relationship with Nana -- a fierce, stubborn, and independent woman, who managed a business until she was 100 -- Cary looks at Nana's impulse to control people and fate, from the early death of her mother and oppression in the Jim Crow South to living on her own in her New Jersey home.Cary knew there might be some reckonings to come. Nana was a force: Her obstinacy could come out in unanticipated ways -- secretly getting a driver's license to show up her husband, carrying on a longtime feud with Cary's father. But Nana could also be devoted: to Nana's father, to black causes, and -- Cary had thought -- to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Facing the inevitable end raises tensions, with Cary drawing on her spirituality and Nana consoling herself with late-night sweets and the loyalty of caregivers. When Nana doubts Cary's dedication, Cary must go deeper into understanding this complicated woman.In Ladysitting, Cary captures the ruptures, love, and, perhaps, forgiveness that can occur in a family as she bears witness to her grandmother's 101 vibrant years of life.
Publisher: n/a
|
9780393635881
|
Hardcover
Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?
By Chast, Roz
#1 New York Times Bestseller2014 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALISTIn her first memoir, New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast brings her signature wit to the topic of aging parents. Spanning the last several years of their lives and told through four-color cartoons, family photos, and documents, and a narrative as rife with laughs as it is with tears, Chast's memoir is both comfort and comic relief for anyone experiencing the life-altering loss of elderly parents.When it came to her elderly mother and father, Roz held to the practices of denial, avoidance, and distraction. But when Elizabeth Chast climbed a ladder to locate an old souvenir from the "crazy closet" -- with predictable results -- the tools that had served Roz well through her parents' seventies, eighties, and into their early nineties could no longer be deployed. While the particulars are Chast-ian in their idiosyncrasies -- an anxious father who had relied heavily on his wife for stability as he slipped into dementia and a former assistant principal mother whose overbearing personality had sidelined Roz for decades -- the themes are universal: adult children accepting a parental role; aging and unstable parents leaving a family home for an institution; dealing with uncomfortable physical intimacies; managing logistics; and hiring strangers to provide the most personal care. An amazing portrait of two lives at their end and an only child coping as best she can, Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant will show the full range of Roz Chast's talent as cartoonist and storyteller.
Publisher: n/a
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9781608198061
|
Hardcover
Slow Dancing With a Stranger
By Comer, Meryl
Emmy-award winning broadcast journalist and leading Alzheimer's advocate Meryl Comer's Slow Dancing With a Stranger is a profoundly personal, unflinching account of her husband's battle with Alzheimer's disease that serves as a much-needed wake-up call to better understand and address a progressive and deadly affliction.When Meryl Comer's husband Harvey Gralnick was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease in 1996, she watched as the man who headed hematology and oncology research at the National Institutes of Health started to misplace important documents and forget clinical details that had once been cataloged encyclopedically in his mind. With harrowing honesty, she brings readers face to face with this devastating condition and its effects on its victims and those who care for them.
Publisher: n/a
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9781628994094
|
Large print book
Making Rounds with Oscar
By Dosa, David
A remarkable cat. A special gift. A life-changing journey. They thought he was just a cat. When Oscar arrived at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhode Island he was a cute little guy with attitude. He loved to stretch out in a puddle of sunlight and chase his tail until he was dizzy. Occasionally he consented to a scratch behind the ears, but only when it suited him. In other words, he was a typical cat. Or so it seemed. It wasn't long before Oscar had created something of a stir. Apparently, this ordinary cat possesses an extraordinary gift: he knows instinctively when the end of life is near. Oscar is a welcome distraction for the residents of Steere House, many of whom are living with Alzheimer's. But he never spends much time with them--until they are in their last hours.
Publisher: n/a
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9781401323233
|
Hardcover
Bettyville
By Hodgman, George
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "A beautifully crafted memoir, rich with humor and wisdom." - Will Schwalbe, author of The End of Your Life Book Club"The idea of a cultured gay man leaving New York City to care for his aging mother in Paris, Missouri, is already funny, and George Hodgman reaps that humor with great charm. But then he plunges deep, examining the warm yet fraught relationship between mother and son with profound insight and understanding." - Alison Bechdel, author of Fun HomeWhen George Hodgman leaves Manhattan for his hometown of Paris, Missouri, he finds himself - an unlikely caretaker and near-lethal cook - in a head-on collision with his aging mother, Betty, a woman of wit and will. Will George lure her into assisted living? When hell freezes over. He can't bring himself to force her from the home both treasure - the place where his father's voice lingers, the scene of shared jokes, skirmishes, and, behind the dusty antiques, a rarely acknowledged conflict: Betty, who speaks her mind but cannot quite reveal her heart, has never really accepted the fact that her son is gay.As these two unforgettable characters try to bring their different worlds together, Hodgman reveals the challenges of Betty's life and his own struggle for self-respect, moving readers from their small town - crumbling but still colorful - to the star-studded corridors of Vanity Fair. Evocative of The End of Your Life Book Club and The Tender Bar, Hodgman's New York Times bestselling debut is both an indelible portrait of a family and an exquisitely told tale of a prodigal son's return.
Publisher: n/a
|
9780525427209
|
Hardcover
Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer's
By Lauren, Kessler,
Nearly five million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's. Like many children of Alzheimer's sufferers, Lauren Kessler, an accomplished journalist, was devastated by the disease that seemed to erase her mother's identity even before claiming her life. But suppose people with Alzheimer's are not slates wiped blank. Suppose they experience friendship and loss, romance and jealousy, joy and sorrow? To better understand this debilitating condition, Kessler enlists as a bottom-of-the-rung caregiver at an Alzheimer's facility and learns lessons that challenge what we think we know about the disease. A compelling, clear-eyed, and emotionally resonant narrative, Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer's offers a new optimistic look at what the disease can teach us and a much-needed tonic for those faced with providing care for someone they love.
Publisher: n/a
|
9780143113683
|
Book
Somebody I Used to Know
By Mitchell, Wendy
"A brave and illuminating journey inside the mind, heart, and life of a person with early-onset Alzheimer's disease." - Lisa Genova, author of Still Alice Wendy Mitchell had a busy job with the British National Health Service, raised her two daughters alone, and spent her weekends running and climbing mountains. Then, slowly, a mist settled deep inside the mind she once knew so well, blurring the world around her. She didn't know it then, but dementia was starting to take hold. In 2014, at age fifty-eight, she was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's. In this groundbreaking book, Mitchell shares the heartrending story of her cognitive decline and how she has fought to stave it off. What lay ahead of her after the diagnosis was scary and unknowable, but Mitchell was determined and resourceful, and she vowed to outwit the disease for as long as she could. As Mitchell learned to embrace her new life, she began to see her condition as a gift, a chance to experience the world with fresh eyes and to find her own way to make a difference. Even now, her sunny outlook persists: She devotes her time to educating doctors, caregivers, and other people living with dementia, helping to reduce the stigma surrounding this insidious disease. Still living independently, Mitchell now uses Post-it notes and technology to remind her of her routines and has created a "memory room" where she displays photos - with labels - of her daughters, friends, and special places. It is a room where she feels calm and happy, especially on days when the mist descends. A chronicle of one woman's struggle to make sense of her shifting world and her mortality, Somebody I Used to Know offers a powerful rumination on memory, perception, and the simple pleasure of living in the moment. Philosophical, poetic, intensely personal, and ultimately hopeful, this moving memoiris both a tribute to the woman Wendy Mitchell used to be and a brave affirmation of the woman she has become.Advance praise for Somebody I Used to Know "This is an eloquent and poignant book. Those of us who have gone on the heartbreaking journey of losing a loved one to dementia have wondered what they were feeling. Wendy Mitchell's courageous and unflinching account lets us know." - Patti Davis, author of The Long Goodbye "I am so impressed with Wendy Mitchell's attitude and ability to explain her experience - she is both an inspiration and a guide." - Michael Palin
Publisher: n/a
|
9781524797911
|
Hardcover
A Song at Twilight - Of Alzheimer's and Love
By Paddock, Nancy
A Song at Twilight: Of Alzheimer's and Love is a feature-length memoir by acclaimed Minnesota poet Nancy Paddock. The book tells the story of her parents' descent into the netherworld of Alzheimer's, and the challenges and choices for care that she and her sisters faced whi
Publisher: n/a
|
9780979650949
|
The 36-Hour Day
By Mace, Nancy L.
For 40 years, The 36-Hour Day has been the leading work in the field for caregivers of those with dementia. Written by experts with decades of experience caring for individuals with memory loss, Alzheimer's, and other dementias, the book is widely known for its authoritativeness and compassionate approach to care. Featuring everything from the causes of dementia to managing its early stages to advice on caring for those in the later stages of the disease, it is widely considered to be the most detailed and trusted book available. Highlighting useful takeaway messages and informed by recent research into the causes of dementia, this new edition has been completely updated. It features * brand-new content on everything from home care aides to useful apps to promising preventative techniques and therapies* practical advice for avoiding caregiver burnout -- plus tips for when and how to get additional help* a completely new two-column design that allows readers to quickly access what they needThe central idea underlying this indispensable book -- that much can be done to improve the lives of people with dementia and of those caring for them -- remains the same.
The Alzheimers Action Plan
By M.d., P. Murali Doraiswamy
Is it really Alzheimers? How to find out and intervene early to maintain the highest quality of life"Most of us will either get Alzheimers or care for a loved one who has. This action plan can empower you to make a difference."---Mehmet C. Oz, M.D.
What would you do if your mother was having memory problems? Alzheimers is a disease affecting more than five million Americans, with a new diagnosis being made every seventy-two seconds. Millions more are worried or at risk due to mild memory loss or family history. Although experts agree that early diagnosis and treatment are essential, many people with memory loss and their families---and even their doctors---dont know where to turn for authoritative, state-of-the-art advice and answers to all of their questions.
Now, combining the insights of a world-class physician and an award-winning social worker, this groundbreaking book tells you everything you need to know, including:
· The best tests to determine if this is---or is not---Alzheimers disease · The most (and least) effective medical treatments· Coping with behavioral and emotional changes through the early and middle stages· Gaining access to the latest clinical trials· Understanding the future of Alzheimers
Clear, compassionate, and empowering, The Alzheimers Action Plan is the first book that anyone dealing with mild memory loss or early Alzheimers must-read in order to preserve the highest possible quality of life for as long as possible.
Are the Keys in the Freezer?
By Woodell, Patricia
Are the Keys in the Freezer An Advocates Guide for Alzheimers and Other Dementias Patricia Woodell, Brenda Niblock and Jeri Warner Are the Keys in the Freezer is an artful blend of practical advice and the compelling story of a familys search for the right care for their mothers dementia. A story of conflict and of light-hearted moments, Are the Keys in the Freezer is the rich testimony of one familys struggle to navigate the confusing world of dementia care choices. Their years of research and experience help readers unravel the medical, legal, and regulatory issues that affect the quality of care for loved ones who cannot make decisions for themselves. This a must-read for families looking for information about care facilities, hospices, finances and costs of care, advance directives, and other topics related to managing the affairs of people with dementia.
Understanding Alzheimer's
By Draper, Brian
Although every day we read news reports linking health problems to diet and lifestyle, there remains significant confusion regarding the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Worldwide, more than 35 million people are currently suffering from Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to increase substantially over the next decade.Understanding Alzheimer’s introduces readers to the inner workings of Alzheimer’s, how the disease progresses, and what patients and caregivers can do to live with the disease. Following the astonishing path sufferers take from being sharp-minded to cognitively impaired, the book reveals how patients and their loved ones can cope with its mental, physical, and economic effects. Dr. Naheed Ali sifts through the information currently available on Alzheimer’s to clearly and accessibly illustrate how Alzheimer’s works, how we can prevent it, and how we can address it once symptoms begin to appear.
The Other Brain
By Fields, R. Douglas
Despite everything that has been written about the brain, a very important part of this vital organ has been overlooked in most books -- until now. The Other Brain is the story of glia, which make up approximately 85 percent of the cells in the brain. Long neglected as little more than cerebral packing material ("glia" means glue), glia are sparking a revolution in brain science. Glia are completely different from neurons, the brain cells that we are familiar with. Scientists are discovering that glia have their own communication network, which operates in parallel to the more familiar communication among neurons. Glia provide the insulation for the neurons, and glia even regulate the flow of information between neurons. But it is the potential breakthroughs for medical science that are the most exciting frontier in glia research today.
HOPE for the Alzheimer's Journey
By Amos, Carol B.
H.O.P.E. for the Alzheimer's Journey equips Alzheimer's caregivers with knowledge, tools, and advice for their difficult road ahead. The concepts are conveyed in an open, honest, and creative manner using original family email communications from Carol B. Amos's own journey. Carol also introduces The Caregiving Principle: a simple approach that provides a deeper understanding of a person with Alzheimer's disease and a framework for the caregiver's role. She provides examples of how The Caregiving Principle helped her connect with her mother. H.O.P.E. for the Alzheimer's Journey encourages caregivers to take care of themselves and provides inspiration for a less stressful, more rewarding journey.
The Last Ocean
By Gerrard, Nicci
From the award-winning journalist and author, a lyrical, raw and humane investigation of dementia that explores both the journeys of the people who live with the condition and those of their loved onesAfter a diagnosis of dementia, Nicci Gerrard's father, John, continued to live life on his own terms, alongside the disease. But when an isolating hospital stay precipitated a dramatic turn for the worse, Gerrard, an award-winning journalist and author, recognized that it was not just the disease, but misguided protocol and harmful practices that cause such pain at the end of life. Gerrard was inspired to seek a better course for all who suffer because of the disease. The Last Ocean is Gerrard's investigation into what dementia does to both the person who lives with the condition and to their caregivers. Dementia is now one of the leading causes of death in the West, and this necessary book will offer both comfort and a map to those walking through it. While she begins with her father's long slip into forgetting, Gerrard expands to examine dementia writ large. Gerrard gives raw but literary shape both to the unimaginable loss of one's own faculties, as well as to the pain of their loved ones. Her lens is unflinching, but Gerrard honors her subjects and finds the beauty and the humanity in their seemingly diminished states. In so doing, she examines the philosophy of what it means to have a self, as well as how we can offer dignity and peace to those who suffer with this terrible disease. Not only will it aid those walking with dementia patients, The Last Ocean will prompt all of us to think on the nature of a life well lived.
The Inheritance
By Kapsambelis, Niki
An inspiring race against time: The courageous, hopeful story of the one family who may hold the key to finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease.Every sixty-nine seconds, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Of the top ten killers, it is the only disease for which there is no cure or treatment. For most people, there is nothing that they can do to fight back. But one family is doing all they can. The DeMoe family has the most devastating form of the disease that there is: early onset Alzheimer's, an inherited genetic mutation that causes the disease in 100 percent of cases, and has a 50 percent chance of being passed onto the next generation. Of the six DeMoe children whose father had it, five have inherited the gene; the sixth, Karla, has inherited responsibility for all of them. But rather than give up in the face of such news, the DeMoes have agreed to spend their precious, abbreviated years as part of a worldwide study that could utterly change the landscape of Alzheimer's research and offers the brightest hope for future treatments - and possibly a cure. Drawing from several years of in-depth research with this charming and upbeat family, journalist Niki Kapsambelis tells the story of Alzheimer's through the humanizing lens of these ordinary people made extraordinary by both their terrible circumstances and their bravery. Their tale is intertwined with the dramatic narrative history of the disease, the cutting-edge research that brings us ever closer to a possible cure, and the accounts of the extraordinary doctors spearheading these groundbreaking studies. From the oil fields of North Dakota to the jungles of Colombia, this incredible narrative redefines courage in the face of one of the most pervasive and mysterious pandemics of our time.
What You Need to Know about Alzheimer's
By Medina, John
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking and behaviour. Although Alzheimer's can occur in middle age it is more likely to occur as a person gets older. This introduction details the symptoms, explain
Chicken Soup for the Soul
By Newmark, Amy
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimers or another form of dementia? You are not alone. With 101 encouraging and inspiring stories by others like you, this book is a source of support and encouragement throughout your caregiving journey. Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia affect millions of people, and this book is especially for caregivers. This collection, a joint project with the Alzheimers Association, is filled with 101 stories of love and lessons from others like you, will support and encourage you as you care for your loved one.,
A Loving Approach To Dementia Care, 2nd Edition
By Wayman, Laura
Caring for someone with dementia means devotedly and patiently doing a hundred little things each day. Few care providers are trained to meet the challenges of dementia, however-and that is where A Loving Approach to Dementia Care can help. The book offers practical, compassionate advice on overcoming caregiving obstacles and maintaining meaningful relationships with loved ones who have dementia and memory loss.Laura Wayman's program of care emphasizes communication, affirmative response, and empowerment-transforming the caregiving process from a burden into a fulfilling journey. Her true stories of caregiving illustrate the principles of this loving approach, giving listeners essential tools for connecting with people who have dementia. A practitioner whose strategies have seen great success in thousands of individual homes and facilities across the country, Wayman shows how understanding the limits and possibilities of the person who has dementia can make all the difference in the world.
Thoughtful Dementia Care
By Ghent-fuller, Jennifer B
An easy-to-read and sensitive portrayal of the changing world of people with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease or other diseases, and those who care for them. Offers insights into emotional reactions and practical suggestions based on deep understanding of the way people with dementia view many situations. The author carefully explains the loss of various types of memory and other thinking processes. She describes how these losses affect the day to day life of people with dementia, their understanding of the world around them and their personal situations. The many portrayals of real life experiences clarify and deepen the explanations. Jennifer is a nurse who worked for many years as an educator and counsellor for people with dementia and their families, as well as others in caring roles.
Ladysitting
By Cary, Lorene
Lorene Cary's grandmother moves in, and everything changes: day-to-day life, family relationships, the Nana she knew -- even their shared past.From cherished memories of weekends she spent as a child with her indulgent Nana to the reality of the year she spent "ladysitting" her now frail grandmother, Lorene Cary journeys through stories of their time together and five generations of their African American family. Brilliantly weaving a narrative of her complicated yet transformative relationship with Nana -- a fierce, stubborn, and independent woman, who managed a business until she was 100 -- Cary looks at Nana's impulse to control people and fate, from the early death of her mother and oppression in the Jim Crow South to living on her own in her New Jersey home.Cary knew there might be some reckonings to come. Nana was a force: Her obstinacy could come out in unanticipated ways -- secretly getting a driver's license to show up her husband, carrying on a longtime feud with Cary's father. But Nana could also be devoted: to Nana's father, to black causes, and -- Cary had thought -- to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Facing the inevitable end raises tensions, with Cary drawing on her spirituality and Nana consoling herself with late-night sweets and the loyalty of caregivers. When Nana doubts Cary's dedication, Cary must go deeper into understanding this complicated woman.In Ladysitting, Cary captures the ruptures, love, and, perhaps, forgiveness that can occur in a family as she bears witness to her grandmother's 101 vibrant years of life.
Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?
By Chast, Roz
#1 New York Times Bestseller2014 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALISTIn her first memoir, New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast brings her signature wit to the topic of aging parents. Spanning the last several years of their lives and told through four-color cartoons, family photos, and documents, and a narrative as rife with laughs as it is with tears, Chast's memoir is both comfort and comic relief for anyone experiencing the life-altering loss of elderly parents.When it came to her elderly mother and father, Roz held to the practices of denial, avoidance, and distraction. But when Elizabeth Chast climbed a ladder to locate an old souvenir from the "crazy closet" -- with predictable results -- the tools that had served Roz well through her parents' seventies, eighties, and into their early nineties could no longer be deployed. While the particulars are Chast-ian in their idiosyncrasies -- an anxious father who had relied heavily on his wife for stability as he slipped into dementia and a former assistant principal mother whose overbearing personality had sidelined Roz for decades -- the themes are universal: adult children accepting a parental role; aging and unstable parents leaving a family home for an institution; dealing with uncomfortable physical intimacies; managing logistics; and hiring strangers to provide the most personal care. An amazing portrait of two lives at their end and an only child coping as best she can, Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant will show the full range of Roz Chast's talent as cartoonist and storyteller.
Slow Dancing With a Stranger
By Comer, Meryl
Emmy-award winning broadcast journalist and leading Alzheimer's advocate Meryl Comer's Slow Dancing With a Stranger is a profoundly personal, unflinching account of her husband's battle with Alzheimer's disease that serves as a much-needed wake-up call to better understand and address a progressive and deadly affliction.When Meryl Comer's husband Harvey Gralnick was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease in 1996, she watched as the man who headed hematology and oncology research at the National Institutes of Health started to misplace important documents and forget clinical details that had once been cataloged encyclopedically in his mind. With harrowing honesty, she brings readers face to face with this devastating condition and its effects on its victims and those who care for them.
Making Rounds with Oscar
By Dosa, David
A remarkable cat. A special gift. A life-changing journey. They thought he was just a cat. When Oscar arrived at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhode Island he was a cute little guy with attitude. He loved to stretch out in a puddle of sunlight and chase his tail until he was dizzy. Occasionally he consented to a scratch behind the ears, but only when it suited him. In other words, he was a typical cat. Or so it seemed. It wasn't long before Oscar had created something of a stir. Apparently, this ordinary cat possesses an extraordinary gift: he knows instinctively when the end of life is near. Oscar is a welcome distraction for the residents of Steere House, many of whom are living with Alzheimer's. But he never spends much time with them--until they are in their last hours.
Bettyville
By Hodgman, George
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "A beautifully crafted memoir, rich with humor and wisdom." - Will Schwalbe, author of The End of Your Life Book Club"The idea of a cultured gay man leaving New York City to care for his aging mother in Paris, Missouri, is already funny, and George Hodgman reaps that humor with great charm. But then he plunges deep, examining the warm yet fraught relationship between mother and son with profound insight and understanding." - Alison Bechdel, author of Fun HomeWhen George Hodgman leaves Manhattan for his hometown of Paris, Missouri, he finds himself - an unlikely caretaker and near-lethal cook - in a head-on collision with his aging mother, Betty, a woman of wit and will. Will George lure her into assisted living? When hell freezes over. He can't bring himself to force her from the home both treasure - the place where his father's voice lingers, the scene of shared jokes, skirmishes, and, behind the dusty antiques, a rarely acknowledged conflict: Betty, who speaks her mind but cannot quite reveal her heart, has never really accepted the fact that her son is gay.As these two unforgettable characters try to bring their different worlds together, Hodgman reveals the challenges of Betty's life and his own struggle for self-respect, moving readers from their small town - crumbling but still colorful - to the star-studded corridors of Vanity Fair. Evocative of The End of Your Life Book Club and The Tender Bar, Hodgman's New York Times bestselling debut is both an indelible portrait of a family and an exquisitely told tale of a prodigal son's return.
Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer's
By Lauren, Kessler,
Nearly five million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's. Like many children of Alzheimer's sufferers, Lauren Kessler, an accomplished journalist, was devastated by the disease that seemed to erase her mother's identity even before claiming her life. But suppose people with Alzheimer's are not slates wiped blank. Suppose they experience friendship and loss, romance and jealousy, joy and sorrow? To better understand this debilitating condition, Kessler enlists as a bottom-of-the-rung caregiver at an Alzheimer's facility and learns lessons that challenge what we think we know about the disease. A compelling, clear-eyed, and emotionally resonant narrative, Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer's offers a new optimistic look at what the disease can teach us and a much-needed tonic for those faced with providing care for someone they love.
Somebody I Used to Know
By Mitchell, Wendy
"A brave and illuminating journey inside the mind, heart, and life of a person with early-onset Alzheimer's disease." - Lisa Genova, author of Still Alice Wendy Mitchell had a busy job with the British National Health Service, raised her two daughters alone, and spent her weekends running and climbing mountains. Then, slowly, a mist settled deep inside the mind she once knew so well, blurring the world around her. She didn't know it then, but dementia was starting to take hold. In 2014, at age fifty-eight, she was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's. In this groundbreaking book, Mitchell shares the heartrending story of her cognitive decline and how she has fought to stave it off. What lay ahead of her after the diagnosis was scary and unknowable, but Mitchell was determined and resourceful, and she vowed to outwit the disease for as long as she could. As Mitchell learned to embrace her new life, she began to see her condition as a gift, a chance to experience the world with fresh eyes and to find her own way to make a difference. Even now, her sunny outlook persists: She devotes her time to educating doctors, caregivers, and other people living with dementia, helping to reduce the stigma surrounding this insidious disease. Still living independently, Mitchell now uses Post-it notes and technology to remind her of her routines and has created a "memory room" where she displays photos - with labels - of her daughters, friends, and special places. It is a room where she feels calm and happy, especially on days when the mist descends. A chronicle of one woman's struggle to make sense of her shifting world and her mortality, Somebody I Used to Know offers a powerful rumination on memory, perception, and the simple pleasure of living in the moment. Philosophical, poetic, intensely personal, and ultimately hopeful, this moving memoir is both a tribute to the woman Wendy Mitchell used to be and a brave affirmation of the woman she has become.Advance praise for Somebody I Used to Know "This is an eloquent and poignant book. Those of us who have gone on the heartbreaking journey of losing a loved one to dementia have wondered what they were feeling. Wendy Mitchell's courageous and unflinching account lets us know." - Patti Davis, author of The Long Goodbye "I am so impressed with Wendy Mitchell's attitude and ability to explain her experience - she is both an inspiration and a guide." - Michael Palin
A Song at Twilight - Of Alzheimer's and Love
By Paddock, Nancy
A Song at Twilight: Of Alzheimer's and Love is a feature-length memoir by acclaimed Minnesota poet Nancy Paddock. The book tells the story of her parents' descent into the netherworld of Alzheimer's, and the challenges and choices for care that she and her sisters faced whi
The 36-Hour Day
By Mace, Nancy L.
For 40 years, The 36-Hour Day has been the leading work in the field for caregivers of those with dementia. Written by experts with decades of experience caring for individuals with memory loss, Alzheimer's, and other dementias, the book is widely known for its authoritativeness and compassionate approach to care. Featuring everything from the causes of dementia to managing its early stages to advice on caring for those in the later stages of the disease, it is widely considered to be the most detailed and trusted book available. Highlighting useful takeaway messages and informed by recent research into the causes of dementia, this new edition has been completely updated. It features * brand-new content on everything from home care aides to useful apps to promising preventative techniques and therapies* practical advice for avoiding caregiver burnout -- plus tips for when and how to get additional help* a completely new two-column design that allows readers to quickly access what they needThe central idea underlying this indispensable book -- that much can be done to improve the lives of people with dementia and of those caring for them -- remains the same.