Product Description

In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in treating, managing, and preventing Alzheimer's. With information about the latest medical advances, coping strategies for caregivers, and affecting accounts from families dealing with this disease, There's Still a Person in There presents a new understanding of Alzheimer's-one that is optimistic, courageous, and comforting.

"One of the best sources of help for Alzheimer's since...The 36-Hour Day. An absolute standout."-Kirkus Reviews

"Reflects the latest thinking in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, management and care...an important and valuable resource for professionals and families."-David Troxel, MPH, Director, Santa Barbara Alzheimer's Association

"Provide[s] a helpful review of controversial topics such as the use of alternative therapies and potential ways to prevent Alzheimer's...A Must Read."-William E. Haley, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Gerontology, University of South Florida

"An indispensable guide for patients, caregivers, and anyone who must deal with Alzheimer's disease."-Publishers Weekly

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #583791 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-01
• Released on: 2000-11-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Alzheimer's disease strikes some 250,000 Americans annually, the editors maintain, and an estimated 2.4 million people care for the several million people who have the disease. What makes caring for someone with Alzheimer's particularly difficult is the transformation the victims undergo. As this book evidences through its case histories, people with Alzheimer's become almost unrecognizable: a quiet, shy person will suddenly shout in the middle of the street for hours at a time; a well-groomed woman will forget about showering and insist on wearing the same article of clothing for days at a time. Still, there is some cause for optimism, claim the authors (Castleman wrote Nature's Cures, Naythons is a physician and Gallagher-Thompson cared for her ailing mother). Diagnosis and treatment has changed over the past decade, so that with proper medication and a different approach by caregivers and health-care professionals, Alzheimer's sufferers can be made comfortable, which in turn helps their families. The case studies provide insights into the stages from diagnosis through progression of the disease. Practical information on new drug therapies, alternative treatments, tips on evaluating residential facilities as well as an appendix of other resources make this an indispensable guide for patients, caregivers and anyone who must deal with Alzheimer's disease.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
More than 70 percent of the two to four million people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease are cared for at home by family members, often until the disease's final stages. Numerous books for caregivers have appeared over the last decade, but the need for high-quality publications continues. This book's authorsACastleman, a health journalist, Dolores Gallagher-Thompson, a psychologist specializing in caregiving, and Matthew Naythons, a physician turned Internet entrepreneurAhave gathered the latest research on the causes, diagnosis, current and potential treatments for Alzheimer's and communicated these findings clearly and intelligibly. Essential information on getting a diagnosis, coping with behavioral changes, medications, and sources of support and assistance is provided. Such material is available elsewhere in greater detail (Nancy Mace and Peter Rabin's The 36-Hour Day, 3d ed., LJ 7/99); however, the authors emphasize the importance of families caring for themselves as well in order to avoid the physical and emotional tolls unrelieved caregiving can take. Stories of culturally and ethnically diverse families coping successfully with Alzheimer's plus an extensive bibliography and resource list increase the volume's reader-friendliness. A valuable addition to Alzheimer's and caregiving collections.AKaren McNally Bensing, Benjamin Rose Inst. Lib., Cleveland
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Alzheimer's is the third most costly disease, but that statistic measures only dollars, not the disease's devastating effects on caregivers. With Alzheimer's and the fear of it looming ever larger in a society marked by increasing longevity, good books on it are needed. Concerned throughout with providing practical suggestions for loving caregiving, this is one of the best. It combines scientific information with several detailed case histories, usually narrated by a family-member caregiver. Those narrators include African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians, so the full spectrum of possible readers will find the book accommodatingly pertinent. Diagnosis of Alzheimer's is difficult and often complicated by the presence of other conditions, but the authors point out behaviors that justify becoming concerned and consulting a knowledgeable physician. They also explain the costs of different levels of Alzheimer's care, describe current drugs and procedures, and emphasize the necessity of caregivers taking care of themselves, too. William Beatty

Customer Reviews

Great current info book
I work in a continuing care retirement community and I also have a grandmother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's almost 4 years ago. This is the best book with the most current information I have read in a long time. I especially enjoyed reading the stories of how other caregivers have coped with caring for their loved ones with this disease. People with elderly parents or grandparents would benefit greatly by reading this book. This disease has already claimed 4 million across America and in the next 20 years will take over as many as 14 million. Very easy to understand and it offers some great general and detailed info on Alzheimer's disease.

Powerful, informative and comforting....
As a social worker, I really treasure books that provide excellent background information while speaking to the issues that people really care about. This book does this and more. It is a comprehensive and exhaustive resource on the current state of Alzheimers research, diagnosis, and treatment and it also provides several real family vignettes that have the realities that many face in an honest and postive (yes positive) manner. For example, it tells the story of a Stanford Professor who is diagnosed with Alzheimers in his late 50s/early 60s and his wife who struggle to care for him and her eventual decision to place her husband in residential care. It also tells of their continued love affair and how both of their lives change and adapt to living with Alzheimers. Of note it include information about wide range of community resources which will surely be helpful to families facing similar circumstances.

THERES STILL A PERSON IN THERE
I bought this book because I have an 84 year old father with Alz.

I found it interesting, and not as dry and dull as I had expected. I had a hard time putting it down even though MANY situations describe my family's case very closely and it hit near to my heart.

I recommend this book, even over the 36 HOUR DAY, as very informative. I particularly appreciated the personal stories, but did not care for the technical aspects described. I did learn a lot, and if you are not sure of your "person's" diagnosis, I feel this book just might help you figure out what is wrong. It made me more sure of the dx Alzheimers and skeptical of the dementia diagnosis by some and the nothing wrong diagnosis by other family members.

Good Luck and Lots of Love from me to all who need this book.

lpp 5-6-05