Alzheimer's For Dummies

An estimated 4 million people are living with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in America today, with approximately 370,000 new cases diagnosed every year. AD patients live anywhere from 5 to 20 years after their diagnosis; and their inability to care for themselves grows more dramatic as the disease progresses, creating profound implications for their families and healthcare providers. Its impact on families during the caregiving years is overwhelming.

If you have a family member or close friend who’s suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and you’re looking for current, useful information, then Alzheimer’s For Dummies is for you. This reference guide also is helpful if you

• Need to know more about its diagnosis and treatment
• Want to take care of yourself while taking care of your loved one
• Are not the primary caregiver but want to know how to help
• Want to know how Alzheimer’s Disease is going to affect you and your loved one

Alzheimer’s For Dummies takes a realistic look at Alzheimer’s Disease, what it is and what it isn’t. It offers pertinent, easy-to-understand advice for dealing with the myriad concerns and responsibilities that a primary caregiver must assume when managing an Alzheimer’s patient. Here’s a sampling of the information you’ll find in this valuable guide:

• Maneuvering through medical, legal, and financial tangles
• Distinguishing AD from other brain diseases and medical conditions
• Handling the fears that may accompany the diagnosis
• Evaluating current drug therapies; watching out for scams and quack treatments
• Finding the best doctors; dealing with attorneys and CPAs
• Looking at Medicare regulations
• Evaluating the cost of care
• The current state of research, diagnosis, and treatment

Television personality Leeza Gibbons, whose mother was stricken with AD, writes in the foreword of this book, “There is no upside to keeping your head in the sand. This book is a crucial step in your new fight. Arm yourself with the knowledge waiting for you in these pages. It will help you find answers and resources as you adjust to your new reality.”

Foreword xix

Introduction 1

Part I: Could It Be Alzheimer’s Disease? 7

Chapter 1: The Facts on Alzheimer’s Disease 9

Chapter 2: Symptoms, Causes, and Risk Factors 15

Chapter 3: Getting a Diagnosis 31

Chapter 4: Distinguishing Alzheimer’s Disease from Other Medical Conditions 53

Chapter 5: Identifying Your Fears: For the Patient and the Caregiver 69

Part II: Helping a Loved One Manage the Illness 85

Chapter 6: Understanding the Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease 87

Chapter 7: Evaluating Drug Therapies 99

Chapter 8: Avoiding Snake Oil and Other Ineffective Treatments 111

Chapter 9: Taking Part in Clinical Trials 121

Chapter 10: Promising New Drugs and Diagnostic Tools 137

Chapter 11: Finding Alternative Therapies 157

Part III: Providing Care for the AD Patient 165

Chapter 12: Making Medical Decisions 167

Chapter 13: Understanding Legal Issues for Alzheimer’s Patients 181

Chapter 14: Working through Financial Issues for Alzheimer’s Patients 203

Chapter 15: Evaluating Care Options 227

Chapter 16: Caring for the Alzheimer’s Patient 251

Part IV: Respite Care for the Caregiver 283

Chapter 17: Coping While Caregiving 285

Chapter 18: Finding Support 297

Chapter 19: Taking Care of the Caregiver 305

Chapter 20: Handling Work and Family as Caregiver 315

Chapter 21: Helping When You’re Not the Primary Caregiver 325

Part V: The Part of Tens 333

Chapter 22: Ten Tips for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver 335

Chapter 23: More Than Ten Internet Resources for Alzheimer’s Caregivers 339

Index 345

Patricia B. Smith is an award-winning medical writer.

Mary Mitchell Kenan, PsyD, is the Director of Education for Baylor College of Medicine’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center.

Mark Edwin Kunik, MD, MPH, is a geriatric psychiatrist at the Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) and Baylor College of Medicine.

Manage medical, financial, and legal issues

Reassuring ways to take care of your loved one
—and yourself

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s? This compassionate guide presents the latest information on the symptoms, diagnosis, stages of the illness, and treatments, as well as the different types of care available.

Discover how to:

Obtain a reliable diagnosis

Evaluate drug therapies

Identify scams and ineffective treatments

Take part in clinical trials

Cope with stress and exhaustion