"I wish I had this book when my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. This is a powerful tool for those who battle this disease." - Leeza Gibbons Manage medical, financial, and legal issues Reassuring ways to take care of your loved one- and yourself Caring for someone with Alzheimer's? This compassionate guide presents the latest information on the symptoms, diagnosis, stages of the illness, and treatments, as well as the different types of care available. Discover how to: Obtain a reliable diagnosis Evaluate drug therapies Identify scams and ineffective treatments Take part in clinical trials Cope with stress and exhaustion The Dummies Way Explanations in plain English ' Get in, get out' information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Foreword xix
Introduction 1
Part I: Could It Be Alzheimer's Disease? 7
Chapter 1: The Facts on Alzheimer's Disease 9
Chapter 2: Symptoms, Causes, and Risk Factors 15
Chapter 3: Getting a Diagnosis 31
Chapter 4: Distinguishing Alzheimer's Disease from Other Medical Conditions 53
Chapter 5: Identifying Your Fears: For the Patient and the Caregiver 69
Part II: Helping a Loved One Manage the Illness 85
Chapter 6: Understanding the Stages of Alzheimer's Disease 87
Chapter 7: Evaluating Drug Therapies 99
Chapter 8: Avoiding Snake Oil and Other Ineffective Treatments 111
Chapter 9: Taking Part in Clinical Trials 121
Chapter 10: Promising New Drugs and Diagnostic Tools 137
Chapter 11: Finding Alternative Therapies 157
Part III: Providing Care for the AD Patient 165
Chapter 12: Making Medical Decisions 167
Chapter 13: Understanding Legal Issues for Alzheimer's Patients 181
Chapter 14: Working through Financial Issues for Alzheimer's Patients 203
Chapter 15: Evaluating Care Options 227
Chapter 16: Caring for the Alzheimer's Patient 251
Part IV: Respite Care for the Caregiver 283
Chapter 17: Coping While Caregiving 285
Chapter 18: Finding Support 297
Chapter 19: Taking Care of the Caregiver 305
Chapter 20: Handling Work and Family as Caregiver 315
Chapter 21: Helping When You're Not the Primary Caregiver 325
Part V: The Part of Tens 333
Chapter 22: Ten Tips for the Alzheimer's Caregiver 335
Chapter 23: More Than Ten Internet Resources for Alzheimer's Caregivers 339
Index 345
