Alzheimer's from the Inside Out [Paperback]

Richard Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 2006 | ISBN-10: 1932529233 | ISBN-13: 978-1932529234 | Edition: 1

Offers a glimpse into the world of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease. The author, who was diagnosed at age 58, shares his account of his slow transformation and deterioration. Addresses complexity and emotions surrounding issues such as the loss of independence, unwanted personality shifts, struggle to communicate, and more. Softcover.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Thoughtful and self-reflective, this collection of illuminating essays offers a rare glimpse into the often incomprehensible world of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease. Diagnosed at age 58, psychologist Richard Taylor shares a provocative and courageous account of his slow transformation and deterioration, and of the growing divide between his reality and the reality of others.

With poignant clarity, candor, and humor, Taylor addresses the complexity and emotions surrounding issues such as the loss of independence and personhood, unwanted personality shifts, the struggle to communicate, changing relationships with loved ones and friends, continuous declines in ability to perform familiar tasks, and never-ending uncertainty about the future.

Alzheimer's from the Inside Out is a captivating read for anyone affected by this mind-robbing disease. Individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's disease will take comfort in the voice of a fellow traveler experiencing similar challenges, frustrations, and triumphs. Family and professional caregivers will be enlightened by Taylor's revealing words, gaining a better understanding of an unfathomable world and how best to care for someone living in it.

About the Author

Richard Taylor has lived for five years with a diagnosis of dementia probably of the Alzheimer's type. A former psychologist, he is now a champion for individuals with early-stage and early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Richard served on the board of the Houston and Southeast Texas Alzheimer’s Association and is now a member of a special committee of the National Alzheimer's Association looking at how to evaluate and provide effective support to individuals in the early stages of the disease. He has started over 50 chat rooms worldwide for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their loved ones and he is also the editor of a quarterly newsletter for people with early-onset, early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.

Originally Richard started writing essays to better understand for himself what was going on inside of him. He now writes to share his experiences with other individuals with the disease and their caregivers. His insights into himself and the disease are always honest, direct, poignant, and sometimes even witty. His essays have been published in Alzheimer’s Care Quarterly.

Richard lives in Cypress, Texas with his spouse Linda and his Bouvier des Flandres dog, Annie. His son and family live across the street from him. He spends his days playing with his two grandchildren, gardening, and writing.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Health Professions Press; 1 edition (December 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932529233
• ISBN-13: 978-1932529234
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,194 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Medical Books > Nursing > Psychiatry & Mental Health

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BOOK for everyone concerned with the general topic, January 30, 2007

By 

Susan L. Mccandless (Clinton, North Carolina) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Alzheimer's from the Inside Out (Paperback)

Very few books can be all things to all people. This comes very close. I have read most of the others, including the very few written by the people affected by some kind of brain condition that changes them, their behavior, their perceptions of themselves, and people's and society's perceptions of them as individuals. This book, written by a highly intelligent and verbal retired psychologist, a professional, about his own progression through the early stages of dementia, probably of the Alzheimer's type (medical people have to use that phrase as only a biopsy of the brain is definitive right now), is for everyone. Those affected, their loved ones, professionals working with those affected, academicians/researchers looking for insights, psychologists, sociologists, psychoneurologists, etc. etc. It is not just about dementia. Any brain problem that changes the person is equally relevant. I know what I speak about. I am also a retired psychologist, diagnosed with Pick's Disease, a dementia of the frontotemporal form. The causes may be irrelevant to most readers (build-up of certain proteins in the brain, vascular misfunctioning, whatever). It is the existential reality that is explored here, with exquisite insight, and humor as well. I have never met this man, but I certainly know him well now. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning..., March 13, 2007

By 

Mona Johnson (Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Alzheimer's from the Inside Out (Paperback)

Alzheimer's from the Inside Out is a stunning achievement. In this collection of essays, Richard Taylor gets at the essence of dementia, and how it has redefined his relationships with family, friends and even with himself.

There are no answers when it comes to Alzheimer's, but Richard asks all the right questions. Alzheimer's from the Inside Out is much more than a resource for anyone dealing with the disease. Although the book includes plenty of practical information, Richard goes beyond test scores, standard medications and neuroimaging to the more important philosophical and psychological aspects of life after diagnosis. He takes the focus off the disease, and puts it back on the person.

I wish I'd read this book when my father were alive. I would have worried less about what was wrong with him and worried more about just being with him.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Dementia Patient Comments, February 10, 2008

By 

Alan Hall "Alan In Colorado" (Littleton, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Alzheimer's from the Inside Out (Paperback)

I have early dementia, fitting the criteria for Alzheimer's. Like the author, I was a psychotherapist in my 50s when my difficulties became such that I couldn't work. It's incredibly powerful to read his words, and see what I would have said if I were only so gifted. Most importantly, I want doctors to read this book, as most of them relate only to dementia as it looks in the end stage, and aren't familiar with what the early disease process looks like.