Alzheimer's Early Stages (eBook)

Daniel Kuhn has been a social worker and educator focused on enhancing the well-being of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, as well as that of their families, since 1987. Through direct service, training, research, consultation, and program development, Kuhn has supported the missions of several nonprofit healthcare organizations in the Chicago area. The author and co-author of more than 50 publications, he has given hundreds of presentations for professional and family caregivers throughout the United States and Canada. Kuhn currently leads a grant-funded project to promote comfort care for people with dementia at Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care, based in Mount Prospect, Illinois.

ForewordAcknowledgmentsIntroduction to the Third EditionPart I: What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?Chapter 1: The Need for an Accurate Diagnosis What Is Normal in the Aging Brain? How Alzheimer’s Disease Changes the Brain What Research Says About Its Origins Getting an Accurate Diagnosis The Value of a DiagnosisChapter 2: Symptoms of the Early Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease What Is Recent Memory? Beginning Signs An Emerging Pattern Other Troubling Symptoms One or More Symptoms Sometimes Present Mood and Behavioral ChangesChapter 3: Progress in Treatment and Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease Current Medical Treatments Progress in Treatment and Prevention Participating in Clinical Drug Trials and Other Studies The Limits of MedicineChapter 4: Alternative Therapies What Do Risk Factors Tell Us? Physical Exercise Brain Games Diet and Supplements Buyer Beware Balancing Activity and RelaxationPart II: Giving CareChapter 5: What Is It Like to Have Alzheimer’s Disease? Common Experiences and Feelings Varying Degrees of Awareness of Symptoms The Importance of One's Social Environment What Some Family Members Have to SayChapter 6: How Relationships, Roles, and Responsibilities Change Accepting the Diagnosis Stepping into the Leadership Role When Your Partner Has AD When Your Parent Has AD Telling Others About the Diagnosis Involving Others in CareChapter 7: Making Practical Decisions Ensuring Safety on the Road Maintaining Good Health Ensuring Financial Well-Being Alternative Living Situations for the Person with AD Doing the Right ThingChapter 8: Improving Communication Communication Difficulties Redefining Your Relationship Ways of Listening and Talking with a Person with AD Whose Problem Is It?Chapter 9: Helping a Person with AD to Plan for the Future Finding the Time Legal Considerations Financing the Cost of Care Rethinking the Living Situation Finding the Right ProfessionalsChapter 10: Keeping a Person with AD Active, Happy, and Healthy The Elements of Well-Being Selecting Appropriate Activities Traveling Participating in Social Events Reminiscing Spiritual and Religious Practices Being Around Pets and Plants Involving ChildrenPart III: Caring for YourselfChapter 11: Self-Renewal for Family and Friends Listening to Your Body and Mind The Importance of Grief Work Individual and Family Counseling Exploring Spiritual Resources Keeping a Journal Maintaining a Sense of HumorChapter 12: Obtaining the Help You May Need Using Community Resources Participating in a Support Group Using Help at Home Choosing an Adult Day Center Learning More About ADChapter 13: Voices of Experience Questions and Answers Lessons LearnedEpilogue: Advocating for Change The Politics of Health Care Our Aging Society and Youth Culture Personal ChangeResources AD Research Centers in the United States Funded by the National Institute on Aging Print and Video Resources Resources on the Web