Customer Reviews

Alzheimer's: The Answers You Need

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Many books about Alzheimer's disease assume that family caregivers or professionals are reading them. Alzheimer's: The Answers You Need is the first book written expressly for the patient. The book assumes that people with AD are intelligent, sensitive and desperately seeking answers to questions about their condition. Moreover, the book does not overwhelm with information nor does it condescend in attempts to convey a point. Each section of the book centers on a question about the disease and straightforward answers are provided. Some pages, interestingly enough, have more blank space than words printed on them -- but that's okay. The idea here is to be concise, smooth and clear in letting a person with a devastating disease know what lies ahead. The book is geared toward people in the early stages of AD, however, it provides sound information for those who are caregivers and professionals who want a better understanding of Alzheimer's disease.

A patient and his wife, particiating in the Mild Cognitive Impairment study, were looking for information on AD as he had just converted to a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Their response to this book was that we should give a copy to everyone who comes into our Center. The wife has read other books and given lukewarm responses, so this was really a significant recommendation.

Since I have been fortunate not to have any dealings with Alzheimer's Disease, I read the book and came away with a different perspective. This is not only a book about dealing with the specific disease, but can be applied to any situation that looks or is hopeless. It is a book about how to live your life successfully whether you have two weeks or twenty years. The authors have incorporated much of their own life philosophies in this question/answer format; and the reader is the benefactor. The compassion and caring of these two dedicated authors is evident on each page. I hope the book continues to fall into the right hands. I truly believe it can make a difference in how we perceive and define the process of dying.

There is a paucity of literature for the patient and caregiver(s) of patients with Alzheimer's Disease. The Q and A format is excellent and it's easy to read. It hits the hard issues straight on, e.g. dealing with loss of independence when driving is no longer possible, having someone delegated to hold power of attorney,sexual needs of patients and their mates. Of course, there are more areas, many more. For the patient with Alzheimer's Disease who still has the ability to process new information, this book is perfect. It addresses the "must" issues of preparation that all families face. Health care workers will benefit from reading this book because it targets the very people who are hungry for information. It teaches us how to communicate more effectively with our clients. I was surfing to the Amazon site to get the order information for a home health colleague when I saw this review opportunity and I couldn't pass it up. This book will be on my reference lists at the various speaking presentations that I do as Clinical Nurse Specialist in Geriatric Psychiatry.

Judith Wilson Clinical Nurse Specialist

Having read many books on Alzheimer's, I found this one to be particularly useful, especially as a reference since it is presented an easy to use question and answer format. The authors address a lot of questions related to the social and emotional aspects of dealing with the disease. It is brief, but it is intended to be to the point. Definately worthwhile.

This book really helped my Mother understand what was happening to her, and helped her cope. I really recommend it.