Customer Reviews

Alzheimer's from the Inside Out

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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.

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.

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.

This book gives a unique perspective on the feelings of the person with Alzheimer's disease. Examining how it feels to be ignored by family and doctor's as if they are not in the room as they are discussed. It is a good book for families and other caregivers to read as it can help them understand some of the behaviors that the person with Alzheimer's disease exhibit, especially fear, anger, outrage, embarrassment, etc., often they cannot explain these reactions in words and thus act out their feelings. This book helps the caregiver understand this better and helps them to see that a change in their behavior might improve their loved one's behavior.

Whether you are a care giver or have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's this book will enrich your knowledge. Richard Taylor has the insight of personal experienc. He also has the gift of being able to convey that experience with passion, honesty and grit.

This book is a wonderful insight to the affects of Alzheimer's from a patient's perspective. It is a reminder of why we must continue to be patient, loving and understanding when dealing with anyone with the disease.
This is a book I will share and recommend to others.

if you work with, love or know anyone living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, I HIGHLY recommend Alzheimer's from the Inside Out by Richard Taylor. The book is written by a professional psychologist and teacher who was only 55 when he received his diagnosis of "dementia probably of the Alzheimer's type" and who was able to write in a remarkably articulate and insightful way about his own process--how it affected him, his family, his caregivers and his relationship to others and to the world. It is a stunning achievement by the author who writes with passion, honesty, even humor; and it contains a wealth of helpful information to support us all in relating to individuals living with dementia in more effective, caring and compassionate ways. The book also includes invaluable resource information in the form of recommended reading, website addresses, names of organizations, and agencies, and so on.

Dawn Nelson, Founder
COMPASSIONATE TOUCH for Those in Later Life Stages
author, From the Heart Through the Hands: The Power of Touch in Caregiving.

What a great book! Alzheimer's, one of the cruelest of afflictions, touches so many families. This book is a must read for all to understand what it means to live through the progress of Alzheimer's. Mr. Taylor takes a positive attitude towards this problem, and shares with all of us on the progress of Alzheimer's. I'm sure most people would just give up and get depressed - but, not Mr. Taylor. He continues to live life to the fullest, and, shares his experiences in a most professional way. My admiration for him has no bounds. My best wishes go to this brave man.

Yesterday I hear Mr. Taylor speak to a room of spellbound seniors in a bridge (between independent and assisted) home in Atlanta. One of these seniors is my 89 year old mother, who has been diagnosed with cardio-vascular dementia. Mr. Taylor showed me, like no book or outside expert could, what a person with dementia feels and thinks inside. As he warned the caregivers not to treat their family as children, not to snatch chores and precious belongings away, not to order them about, not to show their frustration, and so many other feelings I know I have been guilty of, I knew I had been invited into a world I needed desperately to FEEL, not just learn about, but FEEL. The room full of nodding heads and murmured agreements convinced me of the harm we who try so hard to help can do to the ones we love in our rushed quest for expediency.

I found this book profoundly moving since my wife is caring for an individual with advanced Alzheimer's. The statistics are frightening. Metlife Foundation surveys have found that adults 55 and older fear Alzheimer's more than cancer. 4.5 million Americans currently have Alzheimer's. Some of the symptoms we have observed personally include wandering, inability to perform even basic human tasks (such as unlocking a public toilet door from the inside), striking out at people, grabbing small children, wandering,using foul language and losing an understanding of colors. I have recently read Hermine Hilton's new book, Fuhggeddaboutit! The book that will help you stop worrying about your memory (and Alzheimer's). I benefited from her hundred tips on improving your memory. The book is brand new and should be listed on amazon.com soon. Right now I found it at www.lulu.com/tontent/237234. One other important thing I have learned. Never discuss something an Alzheimer's victim has done wrong or try to contrict him or her. Often their brain is operating and hearing even though they can't responsd and you run the risk of making them needlessly upset.