Customer Reviews

Alzheimer's Disease: Caregivers Speak Out

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I have read many books on Alzheimers' and dementia and I have found this one to be the most accurate of my own expereinces. I just wish this book was published when writting my college thesis on Alzheimer's. This book is definantly directed towards the caregiver and loved ones of the victim. It describes the disease process, creative solutions to common obstacles in the disease, as well as consistent emotions that one encounters when dealing with this disease. Pam Haisman, uses testimonies of caregivers who have and had to deal with the Alzheimer's disease. This gives the book a credibility that no other has. Due to the fact that I deal with caregivers day in and day out I am often confronted with emotion, anger and numerouse questions. I feel that the best gift that I could give them is the book,"Alzheimer's Disease". It is written in simple terms and doesn't assume that the reader is knowledgable of the disease. I have yet to have a person dissapointed in my reccomendation of this book. I give this book five stars as does everyone I have reccomended it to.

This just published volume is a guide to understanding, caring, and coping written for family, friends, professionals, students and caregiver's. As the title suggests, this book is a compilation of heartfelt words and experiences from those who care for Alzheimer's patients, in an effort to teach others what this disease involves and the toll it can take for patient and caregiver. The book's first section introduces novices to Alzheimer's the disease, it's causes, current research, symptoms, etc. This section is particularly well organized and straightforward. Then the book presents chapter by chapter, personal experiences, stories, and pleas for understanding by professionals, adult children, young people, spouses, nurse caregivers, each of which are bravely shared. Lastly, the book's final chapters focus on ways to better manage and cope with caring for an Alzheimer's patient, and equally important, where to turn for help. This is a welcome addition to the literature on Alzheimer's disease and should be in every home connected to someone with the disease.

Pam Haisman is a nurse consultant for Alzheimer's Disease who went on the Internet to gather the stories of caregivers. Her book tells the facts about Alzheimer's, the statistics, and about the research that is being done, but the bulk of the book is the stories of caregivers, as the cover tells: "In their own words families seek compassion, professionals relate frustrations, spouses share their grief, teenagers pledge their love." This book expresses the emotions of caregiving as no other book has, in allowing over 200 caregivers to speak out about what it is really like.

Pam Haisman was a college professor of mine at Florida Gulf Coast University. She had wonderful insight concerning this subject through her research and personal experience with caring for a family member with Alzheimer's. This book was used in my class and was very useful in the development of the aspiring gerontolgist's in the course.
It is an easy read and a realistic look inside this disease for the patient and the caregiver's.