The Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver's Handbook

When a loved one shows signs of dementia, you will face challenges for which you feel ill-prepared. Dozens of decisions will need to be made:

Can Mom live by herself safely? If not, what if she refuses to leave her home?

When do I need to take away the car keys and checkbook?

How do I deal with her obstinate refusal to take a bath or go to the doctor?

Should I correct her when she insists her dead sister is still alive?

How do I handle her repetitive questions and accusations?

How do I keep her entertained?

How do I handle her sun-downing, bursts of anger, or inappropriate public comments?

Should I quit taking her out altogether to avoid embarrassment?

How do I keep her from wandering off and getting lost?

Will Medicare pay for Mom's nursing home stay? If not, how can we afford it? Will we have to sell the house?





The Caregiver's Guide to Alzheimer's Disease: What to Remember When They Forget provides a comprehensive look at Alzheimer's disease and tackles all these thorny questions with the best advice of an experienced doctor and a seasoned caregiver.

Part I reviews what Alzheimer's disease is, how it is diagnosed, and its expected progression. Part II offers practical advice for the day-to-day obstacles a caregiver might face during each stage of the disease. Part III provides suggestions on self-care to prevent caregiver burn-out. Part IV offers promising Alzheimer's research and the best advice from a top memory care center called Abe's Garden. The book ends with three humorous true stories about Alzheimer's patients.

Dr. Sally Willard Burbank is an internist with thirty years of experience doctoring dementia patients and their stressed-out caregivers. Sue Pace Bell is a seasoned caregiver who nursed her mother and husband-both Alzheimer's patients-until their deaths.