The Alzheimer's Sourcebook for Caregivers: A Practical Guide for Getting Through the Day (Paperback)

by Frena Gray-Davidson (Author), Frena Gray Davidson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
This book aims to help families coping with a member who suffers from a dementing illness to understand healthy caregiving, discover meaning and purpose in their undertaking, and find ways to handle difficult situations and to identify solutions. Its particular strength lies in its discussion of the emotional aspects of caregiving, i.e., family crisis, acceptance, letting go, and moving on. It is less useful as a resource for explaining the symptoms, traits, and progression of the disease or discussing important issues, such as ongoing medical care and financial and legal planning. In addition, information in the appendix is dated and inadequate. Libraries wanting to establish caregiving collections should start with such titles as Nancy Mace's The 36-Hour Day (see Karen McNally Bensing's "Rejuvenating Your Books on Aging," LJ 10/1/93, p. 55-58) and David L. Carroll's When Your Loved One Has Alzheimer's Disease (see Susan Hagloch's "Best Lay Medical Books for Public Libraries 1988-89," LJ 11/1/89, p. 55-57). Recommended only for larger libraries with extensive aging/consumer health collections.-- Vicki Bloom, Benjamin B. Green-Field National Alzheimer's Lib. & Resource Ctr., Alz heimer's Assn., Chicago
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Author is director of SHACTI (Self-Help Alzheimer's Caregiver's Training and Information). Facts-based, hands-on guide for those caring for in-home Alzheimer's patients. Discusses how to deal with stress and difficult behaviors, how to find outside help, and how to nurture your own well-being. For consumers. Softcover. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Contemporary; Updated edition (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565654838
• ISBN-13: 978-1565654839
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,906,507 in Books (See Bestsellers 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 Your first choice book on Alzheimer's disease., March 20, 2000

By	Paula C Rinehart, MN, LPC ([e-mail]) (Salem, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Alzheimer's Sourcebook for Caregivers (Paperback)

Frena Gray-Davidson is the ultimate "been there, done that" person in Alzheimer's care. Her book is a support group that can always be with you, ready to speak to the issues that concern you now and prepare you for what is likely to concern you in the future. All parts of this book will help you meet the challenges of dementia care, however several chapters are of special value. Chapter 2, Before Diagnosis and chapter 4, Family Crisis Alzheimer's Style guide families in the early stages of the disease. Chapter 11, Knowing When To Let Go, answers some of the tough questions about placement in a care facility. The final chapter, Moving On, gives guidance for that time when caregiving is no longer the top priority. In keeping with her theme not to lose the person in the process of coping with the disease, Ms. Gray-Davidson leads us away from using psychiatric terms to label behaviors and thought patterns which result from diminishing cognitive ability. She explains what may look like paranoia as "a reasonable fear response, given the limitations of the disease." She makes what is often labeled delusional thinking easier to understand as "memory which has drifted into some point in the past." She writes with compassion and humor, creating therapy for the caregiver and family members. The book is interesting to read and easy to understand. As a Geriatric Care Consultant, I have often loaned my copy of The Alzheimer's Sourcebook for Caregivers to my clients. Most of them return it with the comment that they have purchased copies for themselves and for family members. This started with the 1st edition and is continuing with the 3rd. I can make no higher recommendation.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for all caregivers. New views. Inspiring & Practical, May 17, 1998

By	Helen Saul, Ph. D. ([e-mail] ) (Bisbee Az.) - See all my reviews

Finally, a practical, no nonsense and deeply compassionate book tells us the truth about what is and what is not realistic in living with and dealing with Alzheimer's. Gray-Davidson understands the problems, challenges and concerns of caregivers, clearly loves working with people with dementia and knows how to interpret their confused attempts to live meaningfully. She has deep respect for the Inner Journey, and not so much for the medical myths and those who add despair to the world by depicting Alzheimer's as a tragedy.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that packs a powerful message about Love, October 23, 2000

By	Rosemary Thornton "The Houses That Sears Built" (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is a tremendous resource for people who believe in the healing power of Love. Frena Gray Davidson has written a very spiritually centered book that will inevitably help any caregiver and their loved one.

She speaks about how we'll see the "divine child" untouched by darkness or sickness - our loved one - emerge in this process. And she states that we must listen to the feeling behind the words. That little statement has changed my life. When someone asks for their mother, who may have passed on decades earlier, they're really seeking comfort and security and reassurance. We need to hear their feelings that lie in back of their words.

She goes on to say that 30% of language is verbal, the rest is expressed in body language and behavior.

Further on she makes the observation that Alzheimer's patients are sensitive to the thoughts of those around them and to always give plenty of Love, both in word, action and thought.

She states that "unconditional Love is not a measure, it is a flow. You cannot give it or get it, you can only be part of it. When you love a person with Alzheimers, clarity and awareness come to that person." [p149]

The other wonderful point she makes is that so much of our disappointment in Alzheimers patients is tied to our notion of their "proper" mortal identity. Your mother doesn't know she's your mother anymore, but you can value and cherish who she is in the here and now. Don't live in the past but nurture the childlike qualities she is expressing in the present.

Tons of good advice. The other book I'd recommend for anyone dealing with Alzheimers is "Science and Health with key to the Scriptures" by M. B. Eddy. It is a terrific sourcebook on powerful prayers that heal and restore. It is the "how-to" book of prayer.