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Dementia, Alzheimer’s and other books with health in mind

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Dementia, Alzheimer’s and other Books

Recently, I was searching Amazon for the new book by Gary Joseph LeBlanc “Managing Alzheimer’s and Dementia Behaviors: Common Sense Caregiving,” and was surprised to see how many new Alzheimer’s books have been released recently. I try to stay up to date with reading and reviewing new ones, but  I think I’ve been slacking recently.

While I was caring for my Mom, I think I read a book a day sometimes, every new nugget of info about Alzheimer’s was like gold. It’s like an unfed hunger when you’re trying to make sense of this disease and help someone you love so much. So here are a few new books for our list of “good reads” about Alzheimer’s.

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 Managing Alzheimer’s and Dementia Behaviors: Common Sense Caregiving

alz

Of course, I already know Gary LeBlanc’s new booklet will be helpful for the caregiver as well as the person with Alzheimer’s.

Gary Joseph LeBlanc is a columnist, speaker and book dealer from Spring Hill, Florida. He was the primary caregiver of his beloved father stricken with Alzheimer’s disease for nearly the past decade.

I’m sure the information in this new booklet will be a catalyst in creating a better understanding between professional caregivers and the family members of the patients who they are caring for.

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The Alzheimer’s Diet: A Step-by-Step Nutritional Approach for Memory Loss Prevention and Treatment (Volume 1)

 

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I think I may have been a little skeptical of this diet book while caring for my Mom. I did take care that she got a balanced diet but now that I’m coping with COPD, I have anew insight into guarding even my balanced diet. If I eat the wrong food, I can be immediately short of breath. No fun predicament and a real eye-opener for me about diet, food and our general well-being.

Dr. Richard Isaacson and renowned nutrition expert, Dr. Christopher Ochner team up to create this ground-breaking nutritional guide for individuals concerned about memory loss. In recent years, there has been an explosion in research on nutritional interventions for Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment, which is considered to be the most severe public health crisis of our day.

Based on empirical evidence, The Alzheimer’s Diet outlines what to eat, what not to eat, and highlights a step-by-step approach for improving memory and protecting the brain through diet.

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Creating Moments of Joy: A Journal for Caregivers, Fourth Edition

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Jolene Brackey has a vision. A vision that will soon look beyond the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and focus more of our energy on creating moments of joy.

When a person has short-term memory loss, his life is made up of moments. But if you think about it, our memory is made up of moments, too. We are not able to create a perfectly wonderful day with someone who has dementia, but it is absolutely attainable to create a perfectly wonderful moment; a moment that puts a smile on their face, a twinkle in their eye, or triggers a memory. Five minutes later, they won’t remember what you did or said, but the feeling you left them with will linger.

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Use Your Brain to Change Your Age: Secrets to Look, Feel, and Think Younger Every Day

 

alz-brain

I must admit, I haven’t read this book yet but that title is intriguing, don’t you think. I thought it might be an informing read for those of us who can change our behavior and make a difference in our future.

From the bestselling author and PBS star, a brain healthy program to turn back the clock, and keep your mind sharp and your body fit.

For more than 20 years, Dr. Daniel Amen has been helping people look and feel young, healthy, and vibrant with his brain healthy strategies. Now, he shares his complete anti-aging program, to improve memory, focus, and energy; keep your heart and immune system strong; and reduce the outward signs of aging.

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Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear In The Refrigerator?

Max Wallack’s New Book  is an outstanding read for the youngster who is coping with the confusion of living with a loved one who has dementia.

Grandma-has-dementia

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Filed Under: Books Reviewed, Recommended Reading Tagged With: Alzheimer's, books, caregiver, dementia, diet, grandma, memory, reading

“While I Still Can!” : Book Review

05/12Leave a Comment

One Man’s Journey Through Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s, Rick Phelps’ writes about and his diagnosis in his mid 50’s and the years since “WHILE I STILL CAN” by Rick Phelps

Rare is the chance to experience the nightmare of Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease from the perspective of the patient coping with it everyday.

In this book, Rick Phelps, the founder of “Memory People,” an online Alzheimer’s and memory impairment support and awareness group for people with dementia along with their loved ones and  caregivers, tells it like it is.

Diagnosed at the age of 57 with this fatal disease, Phelps has decided to lift the veil of silence about Alzheimer’s. Rick Phelps with Joseph Leblanc have created an extraordinary read.

Through the pages of While I Still Can, Phelps affords an uncommon glimpse into the horrific world of memory loss, while at the same time telling his story of love, commitment, faith and courage, in the face of a catastrophic illness.

The new book can be purchased at Amazon, including the ebook for KINDLE. This book is a must read for anyone with Early Onset Alzheimer’s or their families, friends and care-givers.

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While I Still Can…

Rick Phelps, diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s, is also an Advocate for others. He’s watched his Facebook page, Memory People, with several hundred readers grow to many thousands.

Caregivers and folks who have Alzheimer’s or other dementias work together. They read, learn and share ways to help themselves and other battle the symptoms of this disease.

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Filed Under: Books Reviewed, Recommended Reading Tagged With: Book, early onset alzheimer's, Joseph LeBlanc, memory people, rick phelps, While I still Can

Staying Afloat in a Sea of Forgetfulness

03/071 Comment

“Staying Afloat in a Sea of Forgetfulness – common sense caregiving”

Review by: Sandy

Generally, when I’m reviewing a book for this site it’s either an Instruction Manual for dealing with the Alzheimer’s patient from Diagnosis to Stage 6.

Or, a Question and Answer dialog where you need only search the ‘contents page’ to find the answer for your loved one’s weird behavior for the day.

As a caregiver for my own Mom with Alzheimer’s for several years, I’ve referred to books from both categories.

A chapter or two to learn how to take her car away. A quick scan through the contents page to find how to handle a crying spell at bed-time, or why she’s suddenly become stubborn as a mule.

As I read “Staying Afloat in a Sea of Forgetfulness” I realized it was different, not only because Gary has “been there, done that” but he had a plan that worked. Gary Leblanc offers sound guidance and solid support for other caregivers, like himself, who have parented a parent with Alzheimer’s.

I found myself nodding and agreeing and enjoying the “telling,” as much as the information imparted. Gary has a knack for “telling it like it is!” He recognizes the complexity and difficulty of being a caregiver as well as the humility and love required to follow through over the long haul, and he’s not shamed by it.

When caring for someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, be prepared to face hardships unlike anything you have encountered before. Unfortunately, not everyone who attempts caregiving will be successful.

Yet, there’s no shame in admitting defeat or the need for help. This ordeal is unequal to any other and if you find that you’re suddenly unable to carry out this crusade, please don’t go through the rest of your life inflamed with guilt. This is definitely not what your loved one would have wished upon you.

Gary breaks down the characteristics needed to be a caregiver into five categories, and projects that you’ll survive if you embrace these qualities. I tend to agree. I don’t think I realized them as necessary when I began caring for my Mom, but know now that they sustained me through her long battle of Alzheimer’s and my own battle with care-giving and it’s after affects.

Don’t worry. These aren’t qualities made for saints only but rather through Gary’s guidance and advice you’ll learn they are qualities that you have within yourself whether you know it or not.

Besides the characteristics that make life easier Gary also has a plan, a routine for caregiving. His plan was formed from necessity and refined through practice. In few words Gary announces his plan with–“Keep it Simple.”

At the very top of the list is routine–a steady, run-of-the-mill lifestyle. In fact, routine is probably whole-some for everybody. It might be boring at times, but if you lack short-term memory, it will be your greatest friend. A habitual life will ease most anxiety and frustration. For instance, I tried to serve Dad’s breakfast and dinner at the same time every day; I even used a particular place for his pills every morning and evening. When I did not, we had a problem. “These aren’t the pills I took yesterday.” Every day I arranged his silverware in a consistent pattern. Pasta or other food that didn’t require a knife still had one placed next to it.

The same rules applied to clothing. There was no reason for too many choices. Three or four outfits kept thing uncomplicated.

A casual trip to the doctor left Dad confused for days. (Left him with a million questions, out of sync the next day, waking hours even affected.) It might sound minor but any breaks in the routine could bring mayhem and snowball.

I learned this was true for my Mom as well. A simple routine was the best routine and produced the calmest home and easiest life for Mom and me.

Gary has written a compelling book about Alzheimer’s and Caregiving, exploring every facet of the caregivers struggle to love despite the horrible stresses that come with the job and then forgive themselves for the unwarranted guilt they feel when their labor is finished and they feel totally inadequate.

Gary relates to the reader, as only another Caregiver can, all that occurs through the process of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s from the diagnosis through all the stages of often bizarre behavior and finally the very devastating loss of their passing.

When Gary’s father was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, he read and researched everything he could get his hands on about the disease. Right off the bat he could tell whether it had been written by a physician, pharmaceutical company or even a nursing home.

Gary knew when Caregivers are looking for help, the last thing they need is a medical text so difficult to read that they’ve forgotten what they read by the time they put the book down.

Gary’s goal was to write a book that was as “caregiver friendly” as possible. Sharing his triumphs and hardships from a three-thousand + day campaign in dealing with the disease of Alzheimer’s and the world of memory-impairment.

I think Gary has met this goal!

Author: Gary Joseph LeBlanc is a columnist, author, advocate speaker and book dealer from Spring Hill, Florida. Gary can be found at: http://www.commonsensecaregiving.com/. On Facebook at Gary Joseph LeBlanc and Twitter @GaryJoeLeBlanc

Staying Afloat in a Sea of ForgetfulnessMore infoManaging Alzheimer’s and Dementia Behaviors: Common Sense CaregivingMore info

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Filed Under: Activities, Books Reviewed, Care Tips, Caring for the Caregiver, communication, Faces of Alzheimer's, Guest Post Tagged With: Alzheimer's, caregiver, caregiving, father, gary leblanc

“The Alzheimer’s Family – Helping Caregivers Cope” by Robert B. Santulli, MD.

02/162 Comments


“The Alzheimer’s Family – Helping Caregivers Cope”

Written by Robert B. Santulli, MD., associate professor of psychiatry at the Dartmouth Medical School and Director of Geriatric Psychiatry at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. Dr. Santulli is also the editor of the “Dartmouth Memory Clinic Handbook.”

For 20 years he has specialized in treating Alzheimer’s patients, their families and caregivers, and educating professionals about AD and other dementias.

Dr. Santulli discusses Alzheimer’s from the earliest stages of Denial through Moderate Stage, Severe Stage and finally End Stage Alzheimer’s. But what makes “The Alzheimer’s Family, helping the caregivers cope” different is that it is written for the primary care doctor, the therapist, the clinician, the people we ask for help when our loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Too often the family doctor is less informed about Alzheimer’s than we are. I remember my Mom’s first appointment with my family doctor. He was putty in her hands and agreed quickly enough with her contention that a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was totally wrong for her. She had no memory issues, she declared boldly. And my gentle family doctor accepted her words and agreed.

My mom went on to recount an imaginary medical history for this family doctor that was more suited to a teenager than to herself. When Dr. Smith’s physical exam of my 83-year-old Mom finally proved the error of her words, I had to smile. He was clearly embarrassed that he’d believed everything she said without questioning me for further information.

Alzheimer’s Families and Caregivers need Physicians, therapists, clinicians who understand. Sometimes the Alzheimer’s patient has no memory of an incident, so the story of their past may be an invention. A doctor should know that, whether his specialty be geriatrics or not.

Dr. Santulli helps the clinician understand the family dynamics when one member of the family becomes ill with a life-changing illness such as Alzheimer’s. The clinician learns how to help the family cope, and pull together, and become a family of caregivers.

Every family has its own collection of interpersonal relationships. How we relate to each other is different in evey family. But when one member of the family becomes ill, everyone is affected. Dedication to caring for the person with Alzheimer’s becomes a family affair and as everyone works together the family truly becomes, “The Alzheimer’s Family” and a combined unit of caregivers.

Stress is heavy in the air while a family copes with Alzheimer’s. Depending on relationships prior to the diagnosis, it’s vital that everyone strive to improve any dysfunctional relationships that existed between family members beforehand. Dr. Santulli helps the family doctor, therapist or clinician to understand the value of each caregiver in a family unit and how their relationships interact with each other for the good of the entire family. The better the Alzheimer’s Family does, the better the patient does.

When the family truly understands their situation, knows what’s ahead for them, and has a clinician who understands their needs through all the stages of Alzheimer’s, everyone is better equipped to cope.

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The Alzheimer’s Family: Helping Caregivers Cope

 

 

With this book, “The Alzheimer’s Family- Helping the caregivers cope,”

Dr. Santulli will help Physicians and Clinicians understand and become expert at coping and assisting families and loved ones as they face the crisis of Alzheimer’s in the family and become loving caregivers.

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Filed Under: Books Reviewed, Recommended Reading Tagged With: alzheimer's family, clinicians, family physician, helping caregivers

“Green Kitty” A grandchild’s view of Alzheimer’s – “Best Book” Finalist 2011

12/142 Comments

“Green Kitty” a grandchild’s view of Alzheimer’s

Alexandra Faer Bryan has a new children’s book, “Green Kitty.” It’s a must-read and has placed as a finalist for “Best Books 2011.”

About a grandmother recently placed in assisted living and her visiting grandchild. This story weaves information and caregiving suggestions about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease subtly into the storyline of this educational and entertaining work.

Green Kitty will capture the imagination of any child as it retells the laugh-out-loud true antics of the author’s family pets and farm animals. These are  amusing, earthy stories which will appeal to both parents and children.

It was developed for the unique age group of 8-12 year olds. The work is one of six finalists for “Best Books 2011? in children’s fiction by USA Book News. The book was written to be educational but it is being recognized as entertaining fiction.

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When Your Parent Becomes Your Child: A Journey of Faith Through My Mother’s DementiaMore infoReal Time GPS Tracking Device for Finding Elder Alzheimer PatientsMore infoWhy Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator?: An Explanation of Alzheimer’s Disease for ChildrenMore infoThe Alzheimer’s Project: Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am? with Maria ShriverMore infoWireless Wander Door AlarmMore infoAwakeningsMore info

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Filed Under: Books Reviewed, Recommended Reading Tagged With: children's book, grandmother with alzheimer's, green kitty

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