Talking to Alzheimer's: Simple Ways to Connect When You Visit with a Family Member or Friend [Paperback]

Claudia J. Strauss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2002

Alzheimer's can have a devastating impact on a patient's close relationships and all too often, family members and friends feel so uncomfortable that they end up dreading visits, or simply give up trying to stay in contact with the patient. This book offers a wealth of practical things you can do to stay connected with the Alzheimer's patient in your life. It offers straightforward suggestions and invaluable do's and don'ts, with advice on everything from dealing effectively with the inevitable repetition that occurs in conversations with an Alzheimer's patient to helpful strategies for saying no to unrealistic demands. It also includes thoughtful tips to remind you to take care of your own feelings and suggestions for helping children become comfortable with visiting and Alzheimer's sufferer.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Few books manage to balance practical suggestions and loving sympathy as well as Talking to Alzheimer's, a concise and comprehensive guide to communication with both paid caregivers and their patients. While the title suggests focus on a specific disease, the recommendations are appropriate for any family struggling with serious communication issues, whether those issues are the result of stroke, surgery, disease, or an accident.

Much of the book discusses methods of easing conversation during visits, as well as ways to manage the emotions that can surface in difficult times. From asking open-ended questions like, "How did your day go?" to gently reintroducing yourself to lifelong friends, the pointers here are written with kindness, and they focus on maintaining dignity for all involved. Short sections include tips on involving children in your visits and a welcome list of resources that spans organizations, Web sites, and additional books; this straightforward advice even includes expected response time to Web site inquiries. Instead of an index, you'll find a list of topics, so you can find immediate answers on "ending a conversation" and "when to insist."

One lengthy chapter covers the heartbreakers, such as dealing with refusals to eat or listening to tearful requests to be taken home. Author Claudia Strauss acknowledges the difficulty of these situations honestly, while at the same time providing simple words that can help diffuse the issues and open the path for joyful visits that benefit everyone involved. --Jill Lightner

Review

“This is a clearly written and comprehensive book that addresses the common and uncommon issues that arise in caring for someone with Alzheimer disease. It is practical and never condescends. I highly recommend it ot anyone who has loved one suffering from dementia.”
—Peter V. Rabins, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and author of The 36-Hour Day

“Talking to Alzheimer’s is quite remarkable: sensitive and tender in its tone, but also shrewd and useful. The whole book has this tenacious emphasis on genuine respectfulness; it all rings true and is written with so much informed respect for the loved person. I think it’s a wise and lovely little book and I’m grateful to Claudia for writing it.”
—Jonathan Kozol, Alzheimer’s family member and author of Savage Inequalities, Amazing Grace, and Ordinary Resurrections

“I was so taken with this practical and warm approach to visiting and crating enjoyable and meaningful times with loved ones. Visiting is clearly recognized as an issue…and some families become so disappointed and disheartened that they stop coming. This targeted, doable book helps pe3ople come to terms with what they can really do.”
—Betty Ransom, Director of Education and Training for the National Capital Area Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association

“Talking to Alzheimer’s is a winner and I know it will strike a resounding chord with anyone who has been there. [Strauss’] fresh, resourceful approach helps us find meaning and a spiritual connection when visiting, and puts words in our mouths that change the experience of visiting and being visited.”
—Lisa P. Gwyther, M.S.W., Director, Family Support Program, Duke University Center for Aging, founding member of the Alzheimer’s Association

“Talking to Alzheimer’s addresses head on both the practical and emotional difficulties experienced by loved ones and the effort it takes to respond as lovingly and constructively as possible when visiting. Strauss’ approach is appropriately person-centered and validating: the only way to constructively interact with a person in the grip of dementia. Full of examples of what to do and say and what not to do and say, this is a valuable handbook to which a person can return again and again.”
—John A. Jager, MSW, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter

“Strauss’ book is all about hope. It reminds us to look at the person with Alzheimer’s disease holistically and not focus only on the dementia. She offers suggestions that will enrich people’s lives and preserve dignity.”
—Kara P. Ray, R.N., Corporate Director of The Meadows Program, the Alzheimer’s care program of Country Meadows Retirement Communitites

"Ms. Strauss gives page after page of specific advice to the reader, and I repetitively found myself wondering, ‘Why hadn’t I thought of that?’ This book would be a welcome addition to any physician’s waiting room.”
—Peter A. Schwartz, M.D., Director, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reading Hospital and Medical Center

“Talking to Alzheimer’s fills a major void in our knowledge. I found that this book significantly altered my conception of the problem and my ability an willingness to deal in a meaningful way with Alzheimer patients. I enthusiastically recommend this book to physicians of any discipline who encounter such patients in their practice, as well as to laymen who have family members or friends facing this devastating illness.”
—E. Berry Hey, Jr., M.D., Senior Physician, Reading Hospital and Medical Center

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Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; 1 edition (January 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572242701
• ISBN-13: 978-1572242708
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #356,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Guide for Training Caregivers, September 26, 2002

By 

M KIRK-DUGGAN "Reverse Mike" (El Cerrito Fellowship, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Talking to Alzheimer's: Simple Ways to Connect When You Visit with a Family Member or Friend (Paperback)

As a middle stage Alzheimer [aka CRSer], it has been my burden, duty and responsibility to train my Caregivers in how to communicate with me. This has been psychologically draining, and I have wished for a simple guide, so that I could say what works and does not work in caring for this rapidly deteriorating newly discovered "Dependant."

There is a well known acronym, K.I.S.S., which is inaccurately translated as "Keep It Simple, Sweetie(?)." As an educator, I have always encouraged the use of trots, Cliff Notes, Classic Comics, and the "Idiot's Guide" series. All of these are written to inform unknowing readers in depth of subjects of interest, in simple understandable terminology. "Talking to Alzheimer's" is just such a tome. I have strongly recommended it to the facilitors of my Berkeley ALZ Support Groups, as a Bible or Koran for recalcitrant Caregivers. It works!!!
With it in hand, we ALZers and Caregivers can and will communicate thoughtfully and without unnecessary stress. Words leave us, but our souls remain. Strauss is one of the best in this genre.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you've ever wondered "what do I say" this tells you..., March 26, 2002

By 

bensmomma "bensmomma" (Ann Arbor, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Talking to Alzheimer's: Simple Ways to Connect When You Visit with a Family Member or Friend (Paperback)

This is really the book my family has been needing. We want so badly to keep connecting with my father-in-law but it's hard to know how to hold a conversation with someone who rarely knows what time of day it is. We love him and we want desparately for him to now that, but how?

Ms. Strauss offers a practical, informative, and hopeful guide, lists of 'dos and donts' rather than a medicial or theoretical guide. Since I've had this book I have been able to connect to Pop in a much more rewarding way for both of us. I highly recommend it to those who still want to connect!

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Misleading Title, November 5, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Talking to Alzheimer's: Simple Ways to Connect When You Visit with a Family Member or Friend (Paperback)

Based on the previous reviews, I thought this book would have some helpful techniques for conversing with my grandmother and father-in-law who are both suffering from Alzheimer's. However, this book is geared towards volunteer care/visitors, not family. A lot of the techniques suggested would not work if you are a family member of a Alzheimer's patient. It was definitely not the worth the money!