Alzheimer's from the Inside Out (Paperback)

by Richard Taylor (Author)
Key Phrases: Act Two, Alzheimer's Association, Richard Taylor (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease profoundly alters lives and creates endless uncertainty about the future. How does a person cope with such a life-changing discovery? What are the hopes and fears of someone living with this disease? How does he want to be treated? How does he feel as the disease alters his brain, his relationships, and ultimately himself?

Richard Taylor provides illuminating responses to these and many other questions in this collection of provocative essays. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at age 61, the former psychologist courageously shares an account of his slow transformation and deterioration and the growing division between his world and the world of others.

With poignant clarity, candor, and even occasional humor, more than 80 brief essays address difficult issues faced by those with Alzheimer’s disease, including
• the loss of independence and personhood
• unwanted personality shifts
• communication difficulties
• changes in relationships with loved ones and friends
• the declining ability to perform familiar tasks

This rare, insightful exploration into the world of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease is a captivating read for anyone affected personally or professionally by the devastating disease. Individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease will take comfort in the voice of a fellow traveler experiencing similar challenges, frustrations, and triumphs. Family and professional caregivers will be enlightened by Taylor’s revealing words, gaining a better understanding of an unfathomable world and how best to care for someone living in it.

From the Back Cover
Thoughtful and self-reflective, this collection of illuminating essays offers a rare glimpse into the often incomprehensible world of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease. Diagnosed at age 58, psychologist Richard Taylor shares a provocative and courageous account of his slow transformation and deterioration, and of the growing divide between his reality and the reality of others.

With poignant clarity, candor, and humor, Taylor addresses the complexity and emotions surrounding issues such as the loss of independence and personhood, unwanted personality shifts, the struggle to communicate, changing relationships with loved ones and friends, continuous declines in ability to perform familiar tasks, and never-ending uncertainty about the future.

Alzheimer's from the Inside Out is a captivating read for anyone affected by this mind-robbing disease. Individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's disease will take comfort in the voice of a fellow traveler experiencing similar challenges, frustrations, and triumphs. Family and professional caregivers will be enlightened by Taylor's revealing words, gaining a better understanding of an unfathomable world and how best to care for someone living in it.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Health Professions Press; 1 edition (December 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932529233
• ISBN-13: 978-1932529234
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #74,637 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BOOK for everyone concerned with the general topic, January 30, 2007

By	Susan L. Mccandless (Clinton, North Carolina) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning..., March 13, 2007

By	Mona Johnson (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Alzheimer's from the Inside Out, August 30, 2007

By	L. Elderly Health "caregiver" (Virginia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.