When the Doctor Says "Alzheimer's" [Paperback]

Betty Weiss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 13, 2004

Although one in ten Americans over 65 has Alzheimer's, it remains one of the most hidden, misunderstood diseases the world has ever known. Neither a cure, nor technical medical advice, this handy book, written by a caregiver with over ten years personal experience and research caring for her husband, has some of the best first-hand advice you'll ever come by. Because patients appear so normal, no one believes anything is wrong. Even cognitive tests can't show the full extent of its devastation on the patient and the family. Although the stigma is lessening, Alzheimer's continues to be elusive, embarrassing and difficult to deal with. When it sneaks into a family, few know where to turn: What caused it? Will I get it? He keeps falling. He's violent! Why isn't there a cure? The doctor doesn't understand. What's an MRI, MMSE? How can the caregiver survive? I feel so guilty. Not every anguished question has an answer as yet, but many of them do, and understanding how to deal with much of it can be found in "When the Doctor Says, 'Alzheimer's'-". It's a valuable must have, easy to understand finger-tip resource book for anyone involved in this overwhelming, confusing disease.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

For over a decade, Betty Weiss was the sole 24/7 caregiver for her husband with Alzheimer's. Nave and in denial, she first believed she could live with a little forgetfulness. But as the disease pursued its relentless destruction of their lives, she began to research and develop a better understanding of its symptoms and how to react to them. She found far too much information scattered all over, often too technical and dismaying to be useful. As an occasional published writer, she has compiled her personal experience, philosophy and research into a comprehensive easy to understand book that gives Alzheimer's caregivers instantly available suggestions to cope with the most common problems they face in this difficult and traumatic challenge.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (January 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410741400
• ISBN-13: 978-1410741400
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #842,453 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book is A Must!, February 18, 2004

By 

internal medicine specialist "rdm MD" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Doctor Says "Alzheimer's" (Paperback)

When the Doctor Says "Alzheimer's" by Betty Weiss is an invaluable resource. In 20 years of practicing medicine I've not seen a better single resource for helping patients and their caregivers.

Not just for typical "Alzheimer's" Betty Weiss's book will be helpful for care givers of patients with any loss of independence or loss of cognitive skills.

I will be providing it or recommending it to the caregivers and families of all my patients who are loosing their independence from cognitive or other disorders.

The style is direct, respectful and practical while the content is encyclopedic.

This book will be of tremendous comfort to its readers.

I cannot thank the author enough.

Robert Mullen, M.D. Portland, Oregon.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have Caregiver's Guide, February 28, 2004

By 

WildIrishRose "DreamWeaver" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Doctor Says "Alzheimer's" (Paperback)

This is a wonderful resource for anyone caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease or any other dementing illness.

It is extremely easy to read - the reader does not have to keep a medical dictionary on hand to understand it. It is written by an author with extraordinary empathy and compassion for both caregivers and those affected by dementing diseases.

Betty has included an incredible amount and variety of resources; her research is incredible! It seems like there's at least one resource for every facet of dementing diseases, and usually quite a bit more. The practical suggestions are extremely helpful, most are very simple and easy to accomplish, and make quite a difference in the quality of life for both caregiver and affected loved one.

As a caregiver, I must recommend this book to anyone who is in any way interested in information, help, resources, or just plain support, whether they're just interested in the subject, or dealing in any way with a person who's in the process of Alzheimer's or other dementia.

I've already read the books that set the "standard" for Alzheimer's/dementia caregiving and information, and this book should quickly join their ranks. Caregivers, you need this book - I can guarantee you will find many things to help you and your loved one.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Powerful Resource of alzheimer's "How To" do and feel..., May 5, 2004

By 

diane ake (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Doctor Says "Alzheimer's" (Paperback)

This book was very helpful...my mother is 84 and has dememtia, bordering on Alzheimer's. The presentation is direct and strong, yet personal and tender.
It is full of references, web sites...and insights, including unusual examples of the author's heartfelt and long-running experience with this unforgiving "life-force thief" of a loved one.
I would, and have, recommended this powerful book to many people already.
Thank you, Betty Weiss, for this mixture of emotions (and your life)...and for making some sense of the loss we are feeling.
Diane Ake
Daughter of one who used to be so intelligent...and fun-loving.