Alzheimer's Disease: A Handbook for Caregivers

This text meets the needs of physicians, nurses, therapists, caregivers, and family members. It contains a wealth of practical information about the effects of Alzheimer's on the patient's day-to-day life, and offers detailed descriptions of the stages of the disease, the options for treatment, and the effects of other mental and physical characteristics upon the expression of Alzheimer's. Additionally, it offers valuable suggestions for approaching issues such as nutrition, sleep habits, safety, caregiver stress, and therapy. The book is a perfect bridge between an interdisciplinary panel of expert contributors who know most about the disease and those who know most about the patient.

* Takes a reader-friendly look at the structure and function of the normal brain, along with the higher brain functions, providing the proper background needed to study the various types of dementia. * Explores the neuropsychological assessment of dementia as well as the tools, such as brain imaging, used in the process to lay a clinical foundation for the student. * Examines current concepts in the etiology and pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, as well as the pathology, clinical presentation, and clinical diagnosis of the disease to bring the reader up to speed on new and established research. * Compares and contrasts Alzheimer's disease with other forms of dementias so that the properties unique to Alzheimer's are well understood. * Presents the general principles of management of Alzheimer's along with ways to manage the difficult behaviors that accompany it. * Provides valuable information for dealing with everything from fecal and urinary incontinence to preventing accidents in the home to managing daily care and planning activities. * Analyzes ethical and legal issues involved in caregiving, an area that continues to grow in complexity. * Details the many avenues of community support, from social services to the Alzheimer's Association. * Provides a glossary so that the reader has quick access to the definitions of important terms.