New Hope For People With Alzheimer S And Their Caregivers

Discover New Ways to Cope with Alzheimer's Now all those impacted by Alzheimer's disease can improve their quality of life, starting today. This helpful book dispels the myths and clearly lays out the truth about Alzheimer's and offers practical solutions for not only those who have the disease, but also their families and their caregivers. Inside, you'll uncover a new world of hope and the latest information on: ·The signs, symptoms, and proper diagnosis of Alzheimer's ·Living with Alzheimer's and providing the best possible care ·Cutting-edge research, including advances in biotechnology and genetics ·The latest conventional drugs and effective natural treatments, such as Ginkgo biloba and huperzine-A ·And much, much more!

Here's a hope-filled book about Alzheimer's caregiving. It was written by Marie Marley, PhD - a well-known author on dementia issues - and neurologist Daniel C. Potts, MD, FAAN, both experts on caregiving. With a Foreword by Maria Shriver, this groundbreaking volume will give you hope in the midst of the darkness of Alzheimer's and other dementias. You can come to terms with your loved one's condition and free yourself to experience joyous interactions. Part I covers a variety of issues, such as the authors' belief that people with Alzheimer's can still enjoy life, how to overcome denial, five especially difficult situations, the role of grief on the journey to acceptance, and letting go of resentment through making peace with God. In Part II the authors provide 55 helpful tips for visiting people with Alzheimer's. Part III consists of numerous short stories illustrating the authors' joyous interactions with their loved ones. The stories will warm your heart and light your way along the path to achieving true joy.

"A new ethics guideline for caregivers of "deeply forgetful people" and a program on how to communicate and connect based on 30 years of community dialogues through Alzheimer's organizations across the globe"--

For caregivers of deeply forgetful people: a book that combines new ethics guidelines with an innovative program on how to communicate and connect with people with Alzheimer's. How do we approach a "deeply forgetful" loved one so as to notice and affirm their continuing self-identity? For three decades, Stephen G. Post has worked around the world encouraging caregivers to become more aware of—and find renewed hope in—surprising expressions of selfhood despite the challenges of cognitive decline. In this book, Post offers new perspectives on the worth and dignity of people with Alzheimer's and related disorders despite the negative influence of "hypercognitive" values that place an ethically unacceptable emphasis on human dignity as based on linear rationality and strength of memory. This bias, Post argues, is responsible for the abusive exclusion of this population from our shared humanity. With vignettes and narratives, he argues for a deeper dignity grounded in consciousness, emotional presence, creativity, interdependence, music, and a self that is not "gone" but "differently abled." Post covers key practical topics such as: • understanding the experience of dementia • noticing subtle expressions of continuing selfhood, including "paradoxical lucidity" • perspectives on ethical quandaries from diagnosis to terminal care and everything in between, as gleaned from the voices of caregivers • how to communicate optimally and use language effectively • the value of art, poetry, symbols, personalized music, and nature in revealing self-identity • the value of trained "dementia companion" dogs At a time when medical advances to cure these conditions are still out of reach and the most recent drugs have shown limited effectiveness, Post argues that focusing discussion and resources on the relational dignity of these individuals and the respite needs of their caregivers is vital. Grounding ethics on the equal worth of all conscious human beings, he provides a cautionary perspective on preemptive assisted suicide based on cases that he has witnessed. He affirms vulnerability and interdependence as the core of the human condition and celebrates caregivers as advocates seeking social and economic justice in an American system where they and their loved ones receive only leftover scraps. Racially inclusive and grounded in diversity, Dignity for Deeply Forgetful People also includes a workshop appendix focused on communication and connection, "A Caregiver Resilience Program," by Rev. Dr. Jade C. Angelica.

Learn how to develop an effective Alzheimer’s ministry. The Guide to Ministering to Alzheimer's Patients and Their Families examines the importance of spirituality in dealing with the everyday challenges of this mysterious disease. Not a “how-to” manual with step-by-step instructions or tried and true formulas, this unique book instead examines the essential elements of ministering to dementia patients based on the first-hand accounts of family members living through pain and uncertainty. The book explores the stages of Alzheimer's, grief and guilt, available resources, and implications of spiritual care for patients and families. It is equally useful as a textbook for graduate and undergraduate work, a reference for study groups and seminars, and a primer for those with limited knowledge of the illness. Ministers sometimes neglect Alzheimer’s patients and their families because they feel they don’t know what to say or do even though they want to be obedient and faithful servants in this specialized ministry. The Guide to Ministering to Alzheimer’s Patients and Their Families communicates the thoughts, feelings, and needs of those affected by the disease to help ministers feel more comfortable, confident, and competent as they develop a theological understanding of God, Alzheimer’s patients, and their role in ministry. The book also provides models for ministry; role-play scenarios; a sample text for a care facility worship service, a care facility memorial service, and a funeral service for a Christian and a non-Christian as well as a sample clergy seminar program on Alzheimer’s ministry. The Guide to Ministering to Alzheimer’s Patients and Their Families examines: common characteristics of early, mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer’s general information about Alzheimer’s ethical decision-making support group ministry respite care religious rites faith issues heredity hospitalization of Alzheimer’s patients long-distance caregiving working with other clergy The Guide to Ministering to Alzheimer’s Patients and Their Families also includes a special appendix of selections from the Scriptures. This book is a unique resource for all Christians who desire to minister to those affected by Alzheimer’s—especially pastors, priests, chaplains, pastoral counselors, church leaders, healthcare professionals, and seminary students.

A reference on preventing, treating, and coping with dementia, from “one of the most reliable, respected health resources that Americans have” (Publishers Weekly). This book from the world-renowned Mayo Clinic offers an update on what experts know about Alzheimer’s and related dementias, including the latest research into treatment and prevention, ways to live well with dementia, and recommendations for caregivers. While Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, many related types also affect adults worldwide, causing loss of memory, reason, judgment, and other cognitive functions. Although the diseases that cause dementia have long been considered unrelenting and incurable, recent advances offer hope. This book includes information about: • What to expect of typical aging and what are the earliest signs of abnormal aging • Memory loss and other forms of cognitive impairment that may lead to dementia • Characteristic features of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including frontotemporal degeneration, Lewy body dementia, and vascular cognitive impairment • The latest research on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias • Caring for and supporting someone living with dementia Are there ways you can lower your risk? Can dementia be prevented? Can you live well with dementia? If so, how? You’ll find answers to these important questions and more in this book.

More than 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease or a related form of dementia. By the year 2030, experts estimate that as many as 66 million people around the world will be faced with this life-altering disease. Unfortunately, these staggering statistics impact millions of caregivers, too. Compared with all types of caregivers, those who assist someone with dementia experience the highest levels of burnout, depression, poor health, and premature death. A Dignified Life, Revised and Expanded offers hope and help with a proven approach. Ten years ago, the first edition of A Dignified Life changed the way the caregiving community approached Alzheimer's disease by showing caregivers how to act as a Best Friend to the person, finding positive ways to interact even as mental abilities declined. Firmly grounded in the latest knowledge about the progression and treatment of dementia, this expanded edition offers a wealth of immediately usable tips and new problem-solving advice. It incorporates practical ideas for therapeutic activities—including the latest brain-fitness exercises—stimulate the brain while adding structure, meaning, and context to daily routines. With new stories and examples as well as an updated resources section, A Dignified Life, Revised and Expanded gives caregivers the support and advice they need to be successful and inspired in their demanding roles. While medical treatment of the disease hasn't changed in the past ten years, our understanding and awareness of treating people in a more caring way has changed substantially. With no cure on the immediate horizon, respectful care by effective and compassionate care partners is the only real "treatment" available to people with dementia. The Best FriendsTM Approach is successful because it sustains people's connection to their world, their loved ones, and themselves. It's a universal program which has been embraced by professional and family caregivers throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South America. In its revised form, A Dignified Life offers caregivers an antidote to the burnout and frustration that often accompanies the role of caring for a person with Alzheimer's and dementia. Rather than struggling through a series of frustrations and failures, A Dignified Life shows the new generation care partners how to bring dignity, meaning, and peace of mind to the lives of both those who have Alzheimer's and dementia and those who care for them.

The Alzheimer's Workbook is an in-depth, easy to use guide to help caregivers track, document and understand the behaviors of a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementia disorders. * Helps caregivers track the Alzheimer's person through the 3 stages of the disease. * Space for notes to chronicle the progression of the disease. * Hundreds of practical, common sense problem solving suggestions to ease the stress of both caregivers and the person with Alzheimer's. The Alzheimer's Workbook was written by Elizabeth Cochran, a home health nurse and case manager with a Masters Degree in Health Education who cared for her mother-in-law for four years in her home.