Alzheimer's and Dementia for Dummies by Atkins, Simon -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Table of Contents Introduction

About This Book Foolish Assumptions Icons Used in This Book Beyond the Book Where to Go from Here

Part 1: Getting Started with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Chapter 1: An Overview of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

Defining the Relationship between Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease Looking at the Link between Age and Dementia Realizing that Dementia Doesn’t Just Mean Alzheimer’s

Chapter 2: Spotting the Symptoms

Identifying the Early Warning Signs Recognizing Thought-Processing Problems Observing Emotional Changes Noting Functional Problems Picking Up on Physical Symptoms Figuring Out Whether Your Loved One Needs an Assessment

Chapter 3: Considering Causes and Risk Factors

Taking a Quick Look Under the Hood Understanding the Role of Genes and Family History Taking a Long, Hard Look at the Risk Factors for Dementia Considering Some Theories on the Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease

Chapter 4: Distinguishing Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease from Other Medical Conditions

Making Sure That You Have a Reliable Diagnosis Considering Copycat Conditions

Part 2: Helping a Loved One Manage the Illness

Chapter 5: Receiving a Diagnosis

Finding Someone to Do an Evaluation Before You Seek a Diagnosis: Collecting Medical History Knowing What the Doctor Will Ask during the Appointment Thinking about the Examinations and Tests the Doctor Performs Sorting Out Follow-Up and an Ongoing Plan for Care

Chapter 6: Looking at the Tests Used to Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease

How Doctors Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease Understanding AD Diagnostic Tests

Chapter 7: Understanding the Stages of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

Picturing Retrogenesis: The Opposite of Normal Human Development Knowing How to Use the Classifications Focusing on GDS Staging with FAST Current Thinking: Assessing Stages via Cognitive and Functional Impairment

Chapter 8: Eyeing Medical Treatments

Identifying the Medicines Understanding How Alzheimer’s Disease Drugs Work Knowing When to Start Taking the Drugs Seeing How to Take the Medicines Considering the Side Effects and Risks Recognizing Drugs That Interact with the AD Medicines Looking at Other Drugs That Help Alleviate Symptoms

Chapter 9: Considering Nonmedical Treatments

Eyeing the Different Vitamins and Herbal Remedies Looking at Medical Foods Relaxing with Aromatherapy Tapping into Memories with Reminiscence Therapy Trying Music Therapy Investigating Reality Orientation Treatments and Tests That Aren’t Worth Your Time or Money Sniffing Out Scams: Five Warning Signs to Look For

Part 3: Providing Care for Your Loved One

Chapter 10: Managing Your Loved One’s Care and Day-to-Day Life

Caring for Dementia and AD Patients Designing a Daily Routine That Works Simplifying Washing, Dressing, and Grooming Managing Diet and Eating Difficulties Preventing Boredom Preparing for Bed Making the House Safer Addressing Driving and Mobility Staying on Top of Healthcare Issues Dealing with the Patient’s Emotions

Chapter 11: Making Medical Decisions

Building a Team Keeping Good Records Using Alternative Therapies Deciding on End-of-Life Care Options Considering Brain Autopsy and Brain Donation

Chapter 12: Addressing Legal Issues

Getting Started Setting Up an Advance Directive Looking into a Durable POA Looking At Guardianships or Conservatorships Examining the Ins and Outs of Living Trusts Making Decisions about Resuscitation (DNR) Taking a Peek at Another Mechanism Drawing Up a Will

Chapter 13: Working through Financial Issues on Behalf of Your Loved One

Reviewing Financial Needs and Resources Taking Over the Financial Reins Understanding Changes in Tax Status Deciding Whether You Need a Financial Adviser Quitting Work Evaluating Insurance Coverage Running Out of Resources: What Next?

Chapter 14: Choosing Ongoing Care for Your Loved One

Reaching a Realistic Decision Considering Options for Providing Care at Home Making the Transition to Residential Care Eyeing Residential Care Options Identifying a Quality Nursing Home Checking the Home’s Reputation

Chapter 15: Easing the Transition to New Surroundings

Helping the Home Care Staff Get to Know Your Loved One Visiting Regularly Taking Part in Care and Activities in the Home Acting as an Advocate If Problems Occur

Part 4: Respite Care for the Caregiver

Chapter 16: Coping While Caregiving

Caregiving Is Hard Work Considering the Challenges of Caregiving Looking At the Emotional Effects of Caregiving Remembering Your Physical Health as a Caregiver Taking Time Out Using Humor to Cope Avoiding Isolation Sorting Out Your Own Finances

Chapter 17: Finding Support

Figuring Out What’s Available Knowing When to Ask for Help Looking into Support Groups Finding a Counselor

Chapter 18: Knowing What to Do If the Person with Dementia Goes into the Hospital

Understanding the Emergency Room and Hospital Admission Process Getting to Know the Hospital Staff and Doctors Visiting Regularly Helping at Mealtimes

Chapter 19: Keeping Up with Work and Family as a Caregiver

Recognizing the Importance of Routines Juggling a Job and Caregiving Responsibilities Balancing Family and Caregiving Making Family Time a Priority

Chapter 20: Helping When You’re Not the Primary Caregiver

Understanding How Family Dynamics Affect Caregiving Decisions Discovering How to Help Dealing with Out-of-Towner’s Guilt

Part 5: The Part of Tens

Chapter 21: Ten Tips for Dealing with Dementia

Accept Changes Let People Know What’s Happening Be Realistic about Driving Work Together with Your Partner Keep Active Sort Out Your Finances Make a Will Look After Your Physical Health Get Your Annual Checkups Continue Hobbies and Pastimes

Chapter 22: Ten Tips for Caregivers, Friends, and Families

Make Life as Normal as Possible for as Long as Possible Encourage Her to Plan for the Future Ensure That She Remains Healthy Take Her for Health Checks Consider Underlying Reasons for Changes in Behavior Accept Professional Help Continue to Be Involved When She Enters Residential Care Think about End-of-Life Care Look After Yourself Take a Break

Chapter 23: Busting Ten Myths about Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

Dementia Is a Natural Part of Aging Dementia Is the Same as Alzheimer’s Disease Everyone with Dementia Becomes Aggressive Alzheimer’s Disease Only Affects Old People Aluminium Gives You Dementia Alzheimer’s Disease Can Be Cured Alzheimer’s Disease Is Progressive and Debilitating but Not Fatal Women Are More Likely to Develop Alzheimer’s Disease than Men If You’re Forgetting Things, You’re Definitely Developing Dementia Red Wine Can Reverse Alzheimer’s Disease

Appendix: Resources for Caregivers

AARP Caregiving ADEAR (Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral) Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Online The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Benefitscheckup.org Caregiver.com Caregiver Action Network Family Caregiver Alliance Leeza’s Care Connection Medlineplus.gov Needymeds.com One Book to Add to Your Shelf

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