Reviews (52)

a must read........
this book is chock full of information on the realities of dealing with alzheimer's disease and other memory impairment disorders.it is clearly written and uses examples of real-time situations to highlight situations that can arise and suggestions on how to deal with them.highly recommend it for care providers and others in the lives of those with memory impairment disorders.required reading for adult children to gain an appreciation for the pressures on the care provider(s) for a parent.

The 36 Hour Day
This is a really good book. I kept borrowing it from the library and kept getting fined for having it too long, so I thought I'd save myself time and trouble (and money, too) and buy it. I've come across alot of the same things that are mentioned in the book. This book is helpful to give the caregiver a different perspective on AD and it's nice to know that you're not alone in your struggles. It also reminds you that others have it worse than you do. I recommend this book for anyone who has elderly relatives, with the increased incidence of AD the chances are pretty good/bad that a relative will suffer from it. I think it's best to be prepared for the worst before it gets here. That way you'd have a start on what care would be required and how much you'll have to change your life to accomadate your aging relatives.

Every Caregiver Should Read This Book
As the caregiver (daughter-in-law) of a 90 year old patient with dementia (vascular/multi-infact type), I found this book to be profoundly helpful in dealing with the day-to-day activities of caregiving.In short, I felt as if the authors had spent several weeks in our home and then written the book just for us!This is a MUST READ for any caregiver of a patient with Alzheimer's or other dementias. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alzheimer's disease    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diseases - Alzheimer's & Dementia    5. Eldercare    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family/Marriage    8. General    9. Home care    10. Patients    11. Senile dementia    12. Coping with illness    13. Diseases & disorders    14. Health & Fitness / General   

Reviews (10)

Learning to Speak Alzheimers
Although I have only read the sections pertaining to the beginning stages of Alzheimers (since that is where we are now with my mother-in-law) this book has been extremely helpful already. It was actually recommended to me by a co-worker, who said she refers back to it frequently as her mother-in-law grows progressively worse. I highly recommend it as a starting point if you are just beginning this journey with someone you love.

It's a great help
I really appreciat this book, the book is a real help for me to deal with my mother.

To Much Fluff
As a caregiver with two Alzheimer's victims, I found the book to be a how to do little right and treat the patient like a mindless doll.I prefer a real world approach to AD not one from fantasy land. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alzheimer's Disease    2. Caregiving    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Medical / Caregiving   

Reviews (3)

Excellent resource for care givers!
In reviewing this book, I discovered it is an excellent resource not only for professional care providers, but for family members as well. There are very detailed examples of specific activities to do on a daily basis, and could be easily adapted for varying levels of dementia.

I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT THIS BOOK.
This book is brilliant......I am a RAO, and I use this book daily when I am doing documentation.....The appropiate words are jumping out for you to use and why you are doing the various activities to stimulate the elderly....as I have said it is just brilliant and a must to have....

Activities for both daily and special occasions
Family and professional caregivers of Alzheimer's patients now have a unique and very book which can identify appropriate activities for various levels of Alzheimer patients. Almost 300 pages outlines the activities for both daily and special occasion celebrations, with tips on how to ask the patient for input, resource lists, caregivers' anecdotes, and more. Invaluable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allied Health Services - Occupational Therapy    2. Alzheimer's disease    3. Caregivers    4. Caregiving    5. Diet / Health / Fitness    6. Eldercare    7. General    8. Medical    9. Patients    10. Recreation    11. Rehabilitation   

Reviews (2)

Wonderful book
By giving you an understanding of how the person with alzheimers views their world, this book helps the caregiver make life a little easier, happier, and more meaningful. It also reduces the stress and frustration of the caregiver because you gain knowledge of how to handle situations that before were a struggle.

Excellent for anyone touched by dementia
Jolene Brackey spoke at the nursing home where I work with patients with dementia. She is an incredible speaker and author. This book has so many wonderful ideas for nursing home workers and people who have loved ones with dementia. It is very reader-friendly and easy to understand. Jolene includes many real life examples to illustrate her ideas. She has a sense of humor and a sense of compassion that radiates with every chapter. I've used her ideas and had amazing success in my job. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how to appreciate people with dementia. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blank Books / Diaries / Memory Books    2. Caregiving    3. Inspirational - Gifts    4. Medical    5. Nursing - Psychiatric    6. Coping with illness    7. Home nursing & caring    8. Self-Help / Aging   

Subjects:  1. Alzheimer's Disease    2. Architecture    3. Design & Drafting    4. Design and construction    5. Dwellings    6. Long-Term Patient Care    7. Long-term care facilities    8. Medical    9. Neurology - Alzheimer's Disease    10. Neurology - General    11. Patients    12. Planning    13. Senile dementia    14. Architecture / Planning    15. Clinical psychology    16. Geriatric medicine    17. Interior design    18. Public health & preventive medicine   

Editorial Review

Few books manage to balance practical suggestions and loving sympathy as well as Read more

Reviews (11)

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!!

One of my "Must" readings for caregivers
Dementia a disease that knows no boundaries. It is blind to the categories in which we usually place our fellow human beings. It can occur at the age of 55 or 85. It can happen to Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Asians, Jews, Christians, Muslims, males and females, rich and poor. It has not spared ex-presidents. I speak from personal experience. Dementia did not spare my mother whose 15 year journey into the opaque fog of this disease is told in my own recently published book. Tears are shed by husbands and wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters-in fact anyone responsible for the care of a loved one with dementia. TALKING TO ALZHEIMER'S will help all such caregivers to cope.
good reference for Alzheimer's caregivers/family members
I am in my second read of this little book and it is full of helpful ideas about THE VISIT to Alzheimer patients (or anyone with impaired memory.) The author says early on that it is NOT a book to be READ through but rather a book to REFER to when a certain situation arises. I am very glad I bought it so I can have it with me as long as I have my mother with me... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - General    2. Alzheimer's disease    3. Consumer Health    4. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    5. Family Relationships    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health - General    8. Health/Fitness    9. Popular works    10. Psychological aspects    11. Coping with illness    12. Popular medicine    13. HEALTH & FITNESS / Health Care Issues   

Reviews (13)

Alzheimers Early Stages
A really informative book that points you in the right direction as far as finances, estate planning etc.I would recommend this book to family members who are caring for someone with this condition.

a godsend
I know my family is going to benefit so much from this book.It has what we are looking for -- all types of basic information, about the disease itself and practical caregiving information, presented in a very calming manner.We are in the tricky situation of the affected family member's refusal to go to a doctor, so we don't even have a professional as a guide through this situation....not yet anyway.It is great to have Mr. Kuhn's experience and depth of knowledge, in an easy-to-read and comprehensive guide.

Best Road Map for Families
I wish this book had been available when I started the caregiving journey with my parents, both with (mis-diagnosed) early stage Alzheimer's disease. I had to learn everything the hard way. Knowledge is power and this book will explain all the details your doctor doesn't have time to tell you. If you know anyone starting down this path with elderly loved ones, this is a book they will thank you for.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alzheimer's disease    2. Caregivers    3. Consumer Health    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Diseases - Alzheimer's & Dementia    6. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    7. Eldercare    8. Health & Fitness    9. Health Care Issues    10. Health/Fitness    11. Popular works    12. Coping with illness    13. Home nursing & caring    14. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology   

Reviews (5)

Beyond the front cover...
...lies a pleathora of easily accessible and directly useful information for the AD caregiver. What is not contained on the pages is supplied by weblinks and addresses for helpful groups and associations. The best advice often comes from those who have walked the walk and the author here is no exception. Kudos to the author for her bravery and much gratefulness for the gift to us all from the author and her mother.

A good addition to a collection of Alzheimer's books
Alzheimer's for Dummies does a good job in presenting the information relating to care giving and decision making for families of Alzheimer's patients. Good information
As an adult child of an Alzheimer's patient searching for as much information as I can about Alzheimer's disease, I find most books to have very little of the humor I desperately need to find to help me cope as the disease progresses. As a person who is living through the progressive loss of a loved one to this disease, I don't find this book to be insensitive or belittling, but refreshing and honest. I have shared this book with other family members and we have all found it helpful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alzheimer's Disease    2. Consumer Health    3. Dementia    4. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    5. General    6. Gerontology    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Neurology - General    10. Popular works    11. Coping with illness    12. Health & Fitness / General    13. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    14. Popular medicine   

Reviews (4)

One of my "Must" readings for caregivers
"What If It's Not Alzheimer's" will help all caregivers to cope with the loss of their loved ones as cognitively sound individuals. Whether Alzheimer's, multi-infarct, Parkinson's, FTD, or any of the dozens of other dementias, the perpetual grief and mourning felt by the caregivers will be the same. Dementia is a disease that knows no boundaries. It is blind to the categories in which we usually place our fellow human beings. It can occur at the age of 55 or 85. It can happen to Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Asians, Jews, Christians, Muslims, males and females, rich and poor. It has not spared ex-presidents. Tears are shed by husbands and wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters-in fact anyone responsible for the care of a loved one with dementia. I speak from personal experience. Dementia did not spare my mother whose 15 year journey into the opaque fog of multi-infarct dementia is told in my own recently published memoir. I recommend "What If It's Not Alzheimer's" to anyone whose loved one is experiencing this terrible disease.
Great Resource
Knowing nothing about frontal lobe dementia, I found this a great resource in finding out what I can do to make my family member more comfortable, as well as exploring the resources available to me. Occasionally I got bogged down with the scientific reports, but overall it is a very accessible book.

An updated handbook packed from cover to cover with tips
While general public knows Alzheimer's best among the many dementias in existence, but Playing The Numbers is the first to address FTD, a specific group of dementias and one of the largest non-Alzheimer's groups. The resources and reference material comprising hat If It's Not Alzheimer's? provides the non-specialist general reader with an updated handbook packed with from cover to cover with tips and information for caregivers and sufferers alike. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - General    2. Alzheimer's Disease    3. Care    4. Caregivers    5. Consumer Health    6. Dementia    7. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. Health/Fitness    10. Medical    11. Neurologic Nursing    12. Neurology - General    13. Nursing    14. Nursing - Gerontology    15. Patients    16. Coping with illness    17. Home nursing & caring    18. Popular medicine   

Reviews (6)

Terrific!
I had the opportunity to work with Ms. Bell at the Helping Hands center almost 10 years ago. It is an amazing program and she is the most amazing person I have ever met. This book teaches you the fundamentals of how the Day Care operates and how to communicate with those afflicted with Dementia. After all these years I still rely on this book and its teachings in my work as a therapist.

Good idea
This book was very easy to read and understand and for someone just starting caregiving the book gives some good ideas. I do think though that for more indepth information there are better books out there.

The single best book on caring for a family member with Alzheimer's disease
As a professional in the Alzheimer's field, as well as a family caregiver, I have read dozens of books on caring for people with Alzheimer's disease. Though there are many excellent ones (Claudia J. Strauss's "Talking to Alzheimer's" and Bell & Troxel's "The Best Friends' Book of Alzheimer's Activities" are other favorites), this is the first book I most recommend to anyone on the challenging journey of caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease. It is simply superb. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alzheimer's disease    2. Caregiving    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    5. Eldercare    6. General    7. Long-term care    8. Patients    9. Self-Help    10. Coping with disability    11. Family & Relationships / Eldercare    12. Palliative medicine   

Reviews (8)

Pretty good
good book, with some good points.You wont regret taking the time to read it.

Very Intriguing Book...
This book is quite interesting.Make use of whatever suits you.I like a lot of the nutritional information, its looking into different research from all sources, and it had something interesting like encouraging you to spin around like a Sufi to boost your IQ which sounds weird, but who knows:)

Most useful self help book I've ever seen
Leviton's writing style is perfect for me.This book is thoroughly practical unlike so many other books with at least half useless or biased filler.Just the few pages on bowel cleansing is worth getting this book.Bravo! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Alzheimer's disease    3. Brain    4. Consumer Health    5. Diet / Health / Fitness    6. Healthy Living    7. Intellect    8. Personal Growth - Memory Improvement    9. Prevention    10. Self-Help    11. Popular medicine    12. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (2)

Plain Talk is just what this book is
The title of this book is just what it is - Plain and simple talk about Alzheimer's disease.But it is not only for families and clinicians.It is for anyone interested in the disease and how it affects not only those afflicted, but those around them.I have no family member or friend with this disease, however I found the book easy to read and easy to understand. Dr. Kraus has presented this subject in a sensitive, yet very informative manner.I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to broaden their knowledge of this subject.

A Very Helpful Book
This book is informative and helpful to all caregivers.
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Subjects:  1. Alzheimer's disease    2. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    3. Gerontology    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Neurology - Alzheimer's Disease    8. Medical / Geriatrics    9. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    10. Popular medicine   

Reviews (1)

Short book covers almost EVERYTHING!
Here's a short book that succinctly refers to almost everything relating to Alzheimer's. From the comprehensive overview of categories and types of dementia, to the therapies, and the extraordinarily clear section on caregiver planning. Highly recommended for every family whose loved one walks the road of dementia. Strongly urge every adult day care center, assisted living community, and nursing home give away copies to prospective clients. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness    2. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    3. Health - General    4. Health Care Delivery   

Reviews (2)

Does not work in the real world of Alzheimer's Disease
I sent this book back, it could encourage unproductive activity situations. Although there are some good activities mentioned in this book, most of the activities outlined either simply don't work or are, at worst, counter productive for Alzheimer's persons. The author, who appears to lack knowledge of dementia and activities (she is a nurse not a RT) should become acquainted with Reisberg's 7 Stages of Alzheimer's or Johnson and Johnson's Alzheimer's as a 'trip back in time' article (American J. of Alzheimer's Disease, April, 2000). Just because a person works at a facility which cares for demented persons does not mean she knows what she is talking about. I wonder if this person has a degree in Gerontological Nursing or Gerontology? This author ill-advises readers to use activities that aid in "reality orientation" or "24 hour reality orientation" for a person with dementia. That idea is so dated and counter-productive it is ridiculous. The requirement for 24 hour reality orientation in nursing facilities is currently being either changed or questioned by most gerontologists. For example, the trend is for changes in the 24 hour RO requirement written into the policy and procedures for dedicated dementia wings or for nursing facilies (since they are running over 60 percent dementia),where the Activity Director validates the Alzheimer's person's delusions. Why? Because RO simply doesn't work or delievers a bad message for most demented persons. Unlike depression or delirium, demented persons have lost their abilities to think, remember and reason. So instead person-centered activities are the trend, where the activity accomopanies the AD person on his or her "trip back in time" instead of imposing your reality on the different reality of the AD person. When the Alzheimer's person has time-traveled back to age 20 or 30 and she is told she has grandchildren or an 80 year old husband, the only result of this correction will be either an argument or a message to the AD person that she is dumb! In summary, reality orientation does not work for dementia persons and should be restricted to depressed or mildly confused elders only. RO was originally used for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome men in Alabama and then became a national requirement for all nursing homes. But nursing homes house mainly demented persons now. So this outdated procedure is counter productive for demented persons. Activities focused on person-centered care are the current trend. Person-centered activities do mostly the opposite of what is suggested in this really bad book. Person-centered activities use validation instead of reality orientation and are matched with the 7 stages/sub-stages of AD persons in sink with the person's "trip back in time."

super book
this is the best book I have ever ead that explains alzheimers to the lay person.You know how that person feels when you finsih it and also itis obvious that the writer understand how the caregiver feels.It has enhaced the time i spend with my grandmother more than anythinf I have ever found.I would recommend this book to eveyone, it is an invaluable asset. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alzheimer's disease    2. Caregivers    3. Consumer Health    4. Dementia    5. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    6. Health Care Delivery    7. Medical / Nursing    8. Patients    9. Personal Growth - Memory Improvement    10. Rehabilitation    11. Self-Help    12. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Nervous System (incl. Brain)    13. Health systems & services   

Reviews (6)

Making Life Easier
What an impressive book - you get 400+ pages of ways to make life more comfortable for someone with Alzheimers.These also help the caregiver in a variety of situations.
A caregiver's bible
Since first reading this book over 14 months ago, I've found it a constant source for information and resources. It addresses the problems I encounter on a daily basis AND gives sources for products that I can use to provide better care for my loved one.

Beverly Bigtree Murphy, author, "He Used to be Somebody,"
This book is a must for caregivers and professionals facing the challenges of Alzheimer's.It is the first book I've read devoted to Alzheimer's care that offers something more than reasons to institutionalize our people.Caregivers need information, options and where to access tools andresources before they can make informed decisions about their choices ortheir role as caregiver.As someone who spent 25 years designingrehabilitations plans for handicapped people and another 10 years facingthe care of my husband, Tom, who died of this disease in our home, this isthe first volume I've picked up that speaks of caregiving in positive,life-giving, do-able terms and not the drudgery that we are all led tobelieve consumes the process.While it offers pragmatic, workable,affordable solutions to caregivers, it never loses sight of the continuedhumanity and needs of our family members for love and regard in spite oftheir loss of cognitive skills.My experience as a caregiver was met withnothing but obsticles in my quest to keep my husband home, a journey Irelate in my book, "He Used to be Somebody."I found Tom's careproblems were 75% attitude and 25% tools, resources and help.This bookoffers both to families.I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alzheimer's Disease    2. Health Care Delivery    3. Health/Fitness    4. Home Care    5. Home Nursing    6. Home accidents    7. Instruments & Supplies    8. Medical    9. Medical / Nursing    10. Neurology - General    11. Nursing Home Care    12. Patients    13. Prevention    14. Coping with illness    15. Interior design    16. Medical / Instruments & Supplies    17. Safety in the home    18. Social Science   

Subjects:  1. Alzheimer's disease    2. Architecture    3. Design and construction    4. Dwellings    5. Interior Design - General    6. Long-term care facilities    7. Older people    8. Patients    9. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    10. Architecture / Interior Design    11. Public buildings: civic, commercial, industrial, etc   

Reviews (4)

Very helpful book
This book contains not only the latest medical and scientific information on the physical aspects of Alzheimer's, but a "what to do if" section that offers suggestions when specific behavioral problems are encountered.For example, what can the caregiver do when the Alzheimer's patient does not wish to bathe, change clothes for a week, go to the doctors, etc.?This book relieves some of the stress of caring for a person with Alzheimer's.

One of my "Must" readings for caregivers
THE MAYO CLINIC ON ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE will help all caregivers to cope with the loss of their loved ones as cognitively sound individuals. Dementia is a disease that knows no boundaries. It is blind to the categories in which weusually place our fellow human beings. It can occur at the age of 55 or 85. It can happen to Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Asians, Jews, Christians, Muslims, males and females, rich and poor. It has not spared ex-presidents. Tears are shed by husbands and wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters-in fact anyone responsible for the care of a loved one with dementia. I speak from personal experience. Dementia did not spare my mother whose 15 year journey into the opaque fog of this disease is told in my own recently published memoir. I recommend the Mayo Clinic book to anyone needing current professional information about this terrible disease.
Very Well Done!
I think I now have every book written on Alzheimer's, since I had two parents with it and felt compelled by the experience of caring for them to even write my own book on the subject, but Dr. Petersen has really put together a very comprehensive guide which you should have if you suspect that your loved one may be developing it. The behaviors caused by Alzheimer's are complex to understand and manage, but this book will help you through it.
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Subjects:  1. Alzheimer's disease    2. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Neurology - Alzheimer's Disease    7. Popular works   

Reviews (10)

Thanks!
Thank you for your quick service and amazing availability.I have checked over half a dozen places for my new book and no one seems to carry it! I appreciate your speedy shipping as it comes in handy when I need something soon.

Another exploration into ALZ by one who is there
This is a magnificent addition to the small but growing oeuvre of those telling it like it is from within the shadow of Alzheimer's. Unlike Kuhn's "Alzheimer's Early Stages" who offers a Prozac to those of us who defy his Polyannish view of a CRS' mental functioning without seeking insights from those who remain lucid and analytical and rational within, despite our infrequent "windows of clarity", McGowan tells it like it is for some of us: warts, fistulae, et al.She does not hold back from her anger, depression and increased libido. [Discretely, I have observed that the female party in an ALZ pairing, whether caregiver or ALZer, seems to be affected by ALZ as if it were a female aphrodasiac, whereas the male is threatened by his partner's increased "horniness." Studies of sexual activities in aging environments seems to confirm this casual observation, which appears psychological rather than physiological, i.e. it seems not related to the physical phenomena of erectile dysfunction, or loss of vaginal lubrication, but rather a soritin reward for coping with the stress of ALZ. A Must Read
Living in the Labyrinth is one of the first books I read when I began researching Alzheimer's disease.It is a gripping account of Alzheimer's disease from the inside.I found myself reading the whole book in one sitting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alzheimer's disease    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Diseases - Alzheimer's & Dementia    6. Friel McGowin, Diana    7. Health    8. Patients    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Specific Groups - Special Needs    11. United States    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Subjects:  1. Alzheimer's Disease    2. Caregiving    3. Eldercare    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Health Care Delivery    6. Health Services For Older Adults    7. Health/Fitness    8. Healthy Living    9. Long-term care    10. Medical    11. Nursing - Gerontology    12. Patients    13. Diseases & disorders    14. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology   

Reviews (10)

Will I get Alzheimer's Disease?
So many of us worry about whether we might get this disease.
Highly Recommended, Very Reader Friendly
This recently released book on Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most reader friendly book I've come across in quite a while.I've seen this book first-hand, and it is impressive.It describes the complicated neurology of the brain in an easy to follow manner.Also, Dr. Fotuhi describes (in plain language) the latest AD research findings and discusses their implications.If I had to recommend only two books on Alzheimer's disease for caregivers it would be this one and, "The 36-Hour Day."In contrast to some books on AD, Dr. Fotuhi's book is optimistic.Not only does he describe how AD develops, but more importantly he discusses what people can do to reduce their individual risk factors for developing AD.I find myself constantly recommending this book to all the families of patients participating in AD research projects I coordinate.

what a great book
I found this book extremly useful and easy to read... it covered the latest research on brain and memory, in addition to giving tips on how to prevent memory loss.. Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diseases - Alzheimer's & Dementia    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Healthy Living    6. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Nervous System (incl. Brain)