Customer Reviews

I'm Still Here: A Breakthrough Approach to Understanding Someone Living with Alzheimer's

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am an RN, and have a mother with Alzheimer's. I have read at least 5 books on this subject, but when I found "I'm Still Here", I was very so surprised. This book is the best I have read so far, it is the most beautiful, compassionate and helpful book for everyone being in contact with a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease. You will be so glad you read it! I sent it to my dad who is the caregiver for my mom. He was somewhat skeptical; I had suggested other books before. But when he started reading this one, he emailed me "I wish I had had this book a year ago".... Please, give yourself the gift of this book.

This book may be helpful and appreciated by readers who don't understand the behavioral changes that the Alzheimer's victim manifests and need to be told that there is- indeed still a person in there. I use the word "victim" even though Zeisel prefers to call them "people living with Alzheimers" because Alzheimer's disease not only predictably produces a downward spiral toward death but changes the very essence of who the victim is- including social roles and self- care abilities such as dressing or bathing and ultimately the ability to swallow food. They are indeed victims of what might be considered one of the most terrifying diseases.

Zeisel also uses another euphemism- the word "partner" instead of "caregiver"- almost as though to minimize the devastation experienced by spouses, friends and children as they lose previous social relationships (especially of spouses), take on the burden of making financial and health care decisions and endure the physical demands of dressing, toileting and feeding another person. This is not a partnership. It is the caregiver who is responsible for finding financial assistance for home care or a facility that provides adequate care and stimulation.

I'm Still Here offers some good tips on behavioral interventions and setting up the environment to promote quality of life and decrease agitation. The Arts program as described provides the much needed social and sensory stimulation many memory impaired individuals lack. But all of this stimulation can be provided with meaningful photographs, music, familiar movie clips and other personalized sensory stimulation modalities such as smelling the familiar aroma of apple pie. I do not believe that the person whose altered brain results in inaccurate visual perceptions, loss of speech and confusion in general has increased emotional connections that makes her especially good at art appreciation, although that sounds like a very inviting concept.

People with Alzheimer's disease live in the present and they respond to loving voice and touch because-well we all do, but they are especially responsive to sensory stimulation because when they can no longer have discussions or do complex tasks- they relate through their senses rather than higher cognitive processes. Occupational therapists are health care professionals (not mentioned in the book) who specialize in evaluating the patient's cognitive, sensory and motor abilities and adapting the environment and activities according to skill levels and as a result help the person achieve the best possible quality of life. Occupational therapists can help caregivers provide the type of sensory stimulation which may or may not involve the arts- to stimulate and promote social connections.

Zeisel describes his approach to Alzheimer's disease as a glass half full and relationships between people living with alzheimer's and their "partners" as filled with many gifts. If this half full glass analogy promotes family involvement and a half empty glass perspective keeps caregivers away - please do keep filling the glass. As an occupational therapist who advocated for and stimulated her mother during her eight years of institutional living, I also had many positive experiences, including a closer relationship and knowing that I helped my mother receive the best care possible. If Zeisel's book encourages other care givers to do the same- I would consider his book a gift.
Barbara Smith, M.S., OTR/L author of Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer's Victim You Love

I am an expressive arts therapist and have been working with individuals and groups with Alztheimer's for 30 years and I loved the book, I'm Still Here. Thank you Dr. Zeisel for your thoughtful research and insight into the life of those living with this challenge. I also enjoyed the Documentary, I Remember Better When I Paint. I work in some of the best assisted living and nursing homes in the Boston area and all believe that art, dance, music and drama are powerful ways to touch the hearts of these individuals. With continued research and documentation about these modalities, they will be better understood and trusted. Great job. Susan Swanson M.A.,ATR

This book offers a different view of Alzheimer's; possibilities for living as opposed to preparing for death. It offers insights and ideas for those who have and those who care about those who have Alzheimer's. I would highly recommend reading it. The thoughts behind the ideas can be so broadly applied in all our communications.

I was doing homecare for an Alzheimer patient when I ordered the book. She went to a facility before I could read it but being in this line of work I will likely encounter Alzheimer or dementia patients again. I did take a look at the table of contents and see that it's fairly dated but that may not matter-I like the non-drug approach since often drugs are just not the answer in many situations. I believe this may be a helpful reference.

The book helps to find some positive aspects in having Alzheimer's or at least to look at it from a different perspective, the one you could live with instead of deciding that your life is over. Maybe it's over in the way you lived it before, but it's still life.

excellent understanding of what is happening in the brain and understanding what approaches are the most productive

Mr. Zeisels book has the chance to change the world, one person at a time. If you have memory problems, care for loved ones or work in the field that touches those with memory problems you should read this. It is a very practical book, that encourages stepping aside and viewing the world from a different place that allows for quality of life for ALL, caregivers included.
I highly recommend it and have sent it to others I care about.

Most of the articles about Alzheimer's leave me depressed. The author has found ways to improve our understanding of the process and how to make a positive influence on the patient's behavior and mental status. He has many helpful hints and I recommended it for any caretakers.

A must read for anyone caring for a person living with Alzheimer's or other related forms of dementia. I ordered one for myself to further my understanding of the disease. After reading it I bought two more copies for the professional caregivers that live with my mother-in-law and one to pass around to others who are new to living with Alzheimer's. It's not often you read about this disease and come away feeling hopeful and upbeat. Kudos to Dr. Zeisel for blending his experiential learning and observations with relevant scientific data and research to support his thesis. My own involvement with family members substantiates the strength of emotional memories being not only intact but also accessible with appropriate cues and prompts.