Abcs For Dementia Caregivers

Anyone associated with dementia knows the pain and agony of watching (and trying to help) someone they love leave them a bit at a time. Th e loved one goes from the Adult stage to the Belligerent stage to the Care needing stage. Nothing is right, nothing is good enough and the person being cared for is not grateful for all the eff ort. At times, caregiving for a dementia patient feels like a black hole with no end in sight. In the ABC for Dementia Caregivers, the authors recount what they learned, inch by painful inch. Hopefully this book can offer you suggestions that may help you care for your beloved. Th e book is filled with the stories of spouses and close friends who all succumbed to dementia. Some of the stories are painful, some are humorous. All are intended to give you the emotional lift that will help you through one more difficult day. Patrice Gapen’s best friend and Matron of Honor at her wedding began imagining things, awful things: abuse, hitmen chasing her, other guys kidnapping her. Her husband, Michael Hand, (the coauthor) knew she was safe at home, as he was with her. At the same time, Ms. Gapen’s husband had a major stroke resulting in an emergency helicopter transport to a larger city. All this brought her many questions. Will he survive? What will his survival look like? Who should she call? What kind of funeral does he want? Her mind was spinning faster and faster and she drove faster and faster. Her husband survived but was totally paralyzed on one side. Mr. Hand’s wife continued to hallucinate, requiring more and more care. Th us, the authors began the long trek of doctor’s appointments, pharmacy trips, physical therapy appointments and a series of diagnoses. During all this, they continued working, juggling assignments, dealing with cranky coworkers and unhappy bosses when they were gone yet again.

A Handbook for first time caregivers for people with Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, and other Memory Loss Disorders.

This new text provides basic information about the syndrome of Alzheimer's dementia and will be invaluable to professionals responsible for patient care and students in training. The basic topics include definition of the dementia syndrome, the general characteristics of dementia patients, information about how dementing diseases affect linguistic communication, testing for dementia, making the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's dementia, designing patient maintenance programs, environmental manipulations beneficial to dementia patients, how to talk to dementia patients, and understanding and counseling the caregivers of dementia patients. Also included is a list of reference materials for dementia caregivers. The highly readable format and indexing system makes clinically useful information quickly available. The authors are internationally recognized experts on the effects of Alzheimer's disease on behavior, memory and communicative function and the management of dementia patients. The book is an outgrowth of fifteen years of funded research to study the long-term effects of Alzheimer's disease. To order, call (602)877-9599 or FAX (602)877- 9887 Canyonlands Publishing, Inc. 10320 W. Indian School Rd., Suite 6, Phoenix, AZ 85037.

ABC of Dementia is a practical guide, written with the needs of professionals in training in mind. Its aim is to enable readers to explore attitudes towards dementia, and find the knowledge and skills required in the important task of supporting the lives of people with dementia and their carers. This new edition is designed to assist students and practitioners working within both primary and secondary care settings with the diagnosis, treatment and provision of care. It covers the causes of dementia, diagnostic assessment, early intervention, pharmacological treatment, person-centred care, legal and ethical issues, and more. This resource has been thoroughly revised to reflect the most recent research and evidence-based practice. New and expanded content addresses dementia and frailty in care homes, explores the role of technology in the treatment of dementia, discusses working with minority groups, and examines case studies. Aids healthcare professionals in developing the knowledge, skills and confidence to care for those with dementia Highlights the importance of person-centred care and the effects of dementia on families and carers. Describes the cognitive changes and neurological disorders central to dementia Addresses the needs of younger people developing dementia Provides guidance on managing dementia in primary care, the acute hospital and end-of-life care settings Covers the Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia (NPSD) Features numerous full-colour photographs and illustrations ABC of Dementia is a must-have for healthcare students, general practitioners, and other healthcare professionals caring for people with dementia. It will also be of interest to members of the general public who wish to know more about dementia.

This book presents scientific and clinical information on every type of dementing disease-equipping the reader to understand, diagnose, and manage these conditions using all of the best approaches available today.

This covers basic information on Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, patterns of progression, the logic behind behaviors and communication issues. A practical and not entirely serious look [a sense of humor is a must to survive the caregiving years!] at caring for people with Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia.

My unique activities are designed to stimulate memory function, enhance social skills and improve the quality of life for individuals at any stage of dementia.