Product Description
Sally Smith, whose inspiring personal account--closing the family home and moving her mother into an assisted living facility--resulted in a book that critics have said is healing, hilarious and very helpful to those of us sharing similar experiences. This manuscript, entitled The Circle, was given as a gift to the Medical University of South Carolina and published to raise awareness and support for research into Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, dementia, vision and hearing loss and other age-related problems. 100% of the net proceeds will benefit research into these issues. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The circle reviewed
A warm, positive, honest account of the emotional journey of dealing with a parent who is aging with memory loss.Sally wrote this as a diary and friends suggested she publish it.Everyone has something to learn from this book as we are all aging.I recommend that health professionals read this , esp medical students but really it applies to all families as we will all have to deal with the loss of a parent at some stage.A very worthwhile book, and it makes a great gift.

Along with the furniture....
I read Sally's book and immediately passed it on to my mother. Aside from enjoying the family bits, it prompted her to make sure certain aspects of her will were in place. Sally's gifts as a writer are apparent in her anecdotal treatment of her response along with her family's to her mother's disease. She brings light to the dark and in the end alerts us to our final responsibility as a parent.

Soothing to the Soul
Sally Smith's personal account provides much needed validation for the myriad of emotions we experience when someone we have loved so deeply and for so long begins to slip away into the hands of this horrible disease. The humor and warmth with which she writes is a valuable gift to anyone struggling with this issue, and with all proceeds going to aid research efforts, it is not only a must read, but a must buy.

a gem
Sally Hughes Smith has done a service for all of us who have aging parents as she tackles hard issues with robust honesty, vivacity, humor, and a beautiful grace.I love the freshness of her journal writing as it allows the reader into the immediacy of her wonder and dismay as events unfold, as it reveals the ache of a long love for her mother, and as she reveals a slow awakening within herself. The fact that all of the proceeds of this book go to medical research for Alzheimer's reflects a generosity already palpable in this book.It is rare to find something so genuine, unedited, eruptive, and real. ... Read more

Book Description

Even in the earliest stages of progressive dementia, patients have difficulty evaluating their own needs and engaging in appropriate activities. A therapeutic program of care, including constructive activities and behavior management, is necessary for maximizing patients' functioning and quality of life. The Handbook of Dementia Care and its companion Training Manual and Video for Dementia Care Specialists offer a complete training system for teachers and students providing dementia care in a variety of settings.

Developed at the well-known George G. Glenner Alzheimer's Family Centers, the program's instructor's manual and student handbook are organized into six teaching modules: basic information on dementia, positive interaction techniques, supportive physical environment, therapeutic activities, group activities, and family support. Each module is accompanied by a videotaped lecture and demonstration presentation to further illustrate the topic being discussed. This exciting project is a comprehensive instructional tool for dementia care professionals working in adult day centers, long-term care and residential settings, hospitals, nursing homes, and home health care agencies.

Book Description
Love in the Land of Dementia offers readers a sense of compassion, deepening love and increased connection with the person who has Alzheimer's, along with practical tools for living with dementia. The book chronicles the author'ss journey through her mother'ss Alzheimer'ss, and deals with the complex issues of loss and change, of flexibility and acceptance, and of celebrating the moments. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Inspirational
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (10/06)

"Love in the Land of Dementia" reveals Shouse's deepening love and increased connection with her mother. Deborah deals with the complex issues of loss and change in a relationship change completely through this mysterious disease.She tells of learning the need for being flexible, of acceptance, and of enjoying the precious moments creating special celebrations to brighten the day for her mother and herself.

The book also provided helpful suggestions for living with and caring for the victim of dementia.Deborah tells of deepening bonds with her mother and her family while coping with loss, anguish, self-reproach, and embarrassment.

Deborah relates the occasion of her mother's eighty-seventh birthday this way, "She can't even make a birthday wish or blow out her candles. But she can lower her face to the glob of celebration nestled right in her own palm (birthday cake) and she can raise her face and laugh.`Happy Birthday Mom' I say, kissing her messy cheek and tasting its sweetness."

I, personally, am a fellow traveler on this roller coaster ride of uncertainty and frustration and was especially touched by an incident related of her father's difficulty in coping. Paul worked for some years in radio and relates his experience this way: "It's interesting enough, though far less glamorous than the average person believes.It becomes hard work day after day to fool the public into believing you're happy all the time."

Deborah goes on to say, "Years later, as Mom moved more deeply into Alzheimer's, Dad replayed his radio training.He tried to fool the nurse's aides, the kitchen staff, the other families and my brother and me into thinking he was happy or at least coping.But we knew him too well.We could see and feel the pain and anguish underneath his brittle smile. We could see the hard, hard work of all he was going through."

I appreciated the way the author shared her personal discoveries and the willingness to make herself vulnerable to the reader. She tells of an anticipated extended afternoon visit to family where she may be called on for help. "Still, I cannot walk over to the plastic sack and take out the white rectangle of protective paper.I cannot take my mother's hands and guide her into the bathroom.I am not ready to take another step away from being her daughter, towards being her caretaker."

Deborah has a unique gift of communication and is able to take difficult and seemingly impossible situations and bring tenderness to the story as the reader experiences first tears, than peace, and finally a smile as hope replaces despair and the future dread is exchanged for the preciousness of the moment.

The subtitle of "Love in the Land of Dementia" expresses the true theme of the book, "Finding Hope in the Caregiver's Journey."The book is well written, is illuminating, insightful, and inspirational. I highly recommend it to caregivers, both family, and professional.

A poignant and heartfelt personal testimony
Love In The Land Of Dementia: Finding Hope In The Caregiver's Journey by Alzheimer's expert Deborah Shouse is the true story of one woman's connection to her mother. Diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Deborah's mother gradually lost the ability to recognize or remember her daughter, yet even the in the twilight Deborah learned the joy of compassion, deepened bonds, and connection with her mother and her family. Love In The Land Of Dementia is a true story of coping with loss, grief, guilt, and shame, as well as the wonder of making new discoveries and the compassion and grace of caring for a loved one in their final years. A poignant and heartfelt personal testimony.
... Read more

Book Description
Once a person has clearly demonstrated that he is incapable of functioning independently in the home, it is time for the family to mobilize and work to help lessen the chances of accident, injury, or even death.It is equally important to begin to rebuild and establish a comfortable and meaningful life for your loved one.The prevailing view in today's society directly equates one worth with what he can produce.This is similar to the nature of the sales industry - it doesn't matter how stellar past performances were - only today's results count.

Victims of dementia have no hope but to rely upon us to see them as whole persons and accept them as they are now.These are people who each have a story, a history, and a life that still has value, and it is up to us to honor their life by treating them with as much deference as they would have received in their prime.

We each have been uniquely created, with our own blueprint.Most of us cherish our individuality and spend our lives working to leave our stamp on the world.Our American heritage and way of life especially cherishes the notion of independence and self-sufficiency.Perhaps this is why dementia is feared more than many diseases, because it mercilessly strips us of our ability to think and make decisions on our own.

The subject of euthanasia and the usefulness of comatose patients have provoked torrents of controversy in our nation recently.If this topic can evoke such strong reactions, I predict a fiercer storm on the horizon as more elderly people are diagnosed with a condition that produces embarrassing and undesirable behaviors.Millions are afflicted and unlike those in comas, are more visible in society.In any case, we, as fellow citizens, must serve as proxy for those who cannot speak for themselves and our decisions must reflect that awareness.

Dementia is a grim subject.The following pages contain much detailed and practical information, and you will have assignments to do and a great deal to organize.I have outlined the common challenges that many families face, along with suggestions and "must-knows" to help aid in achieving a successful outcome.If you are fortunate, your family will be in agreement from the onset and you can proceed relatively easily in getting the assistance you need.However, some families may face power struggles or denial and will need to find a middle ground from which to establish a common understanding in order to move things along.This book serves to help you identify and overcome interpersonal roadblocks that may be prohibiting you from helping your ailing loved one.It will also outline the various resources available and offer you guidance needed in order to continue to monitor your relative's care.

It is my sincere desire to help prepare you well for this journey by sharing what I have learned and offered to families facing this difficult disease.My prayer is that in these pages you will be both educated and encouraged.

Surely the noblest form of giving is when it is to those who cannot possibly repay the kindness.May God bless you for your willingness to give to the needy among us.
RLD ... Read more

Book Description

The increasing number of demented elderly in our societies, the ongoing debate on patients rights and autonomy, and the growing body of knowledge on the dementias led the European Dementia Consensus Network to regard competence assessment in dementia as an important topic of debate. To date, no other comprehensive publication on this topic is known to exist. EDCON performed a transeuropean survey and has agreed on a consensus, which takes into account the variability of clinical symptoms of dementia as well as the special functions required for different purposes. This book contains a summarised consensus as well as chapters on the state of art of neuropsychological functions and how they are related to the areas of competence and chapters which deals with ethical, legal perspectives. The area of competence, e.g. in the field of driving capacity will be discussed in an own chapter. Furthermore, the book contains short contributions on the situation in individual European countries.

Book Description
This is the first work to take a comprehensive look at the application of magnetic resonance (MR) techniques in the diagnosis, follow-up and therapy monitoring of dementing illnesses. Over the years MR has proven to be an extremely valuable method of identifying treatable disorders of dementia at an early stage, which is of great importance when keeping in mind that about 1-6% of the population over the age of 65 suffers from dementing illnesses. The authors present an overview of MR findings in neurodegenerative and vascular disorders leading to dementia. In doing so, they also discuss other diseases that lead to cognitive and/or behavioural deterioration such as infectious-inflammatory disorders, toxic encephalopathies, inborn errors of metabolism of adult onset and post-traumatic, post-radiotherapy and post-chemotherapy conditions. This authoritative, well-written and richly illustrated reference work is indispensable for anybody working in the field. ... Read more

Product Description
Parkinson's disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies are common dementia syndromes with characteristic and distressing symptom profiles that enable accurate diagnosis. This book highlights key emerging issues pertaining to the neuropathological and neurochemical basis of the syndrome and related symptoms, the underlying disease mechanisms, the importance of understanding the genetic contribution and will provide an overview to inform clinical management. ... Read more

Book Description
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is among the most common causes of degenerative dementia. This book, which represents the first authoritative statement about DLB, includes review articles, case studies, and recent research findings from the leading researchers of DLB. The aims of this volume are to establish clinical diagnostic criteria and pathological protocols for DLB, and to explore evidence indicating that DLB patients may be responsive to symptomatic therapy.Covering the classification, cognitive manifestations, clinical diagnosis, epidemiology, genetics, neuropathology, neurochemistry, and treatment of DLB, this is a landmark publication in clinical neuroscience. ... Read more

Book Description
Alzheimer's has struck more than 4 million of the nation's elderly and is the most common form of mental degeneration. In Tangled Minds, Dr. Muriel R. Gillick convincingly demonstrates that confusion and loss of memory resulting from Alzheimer's, or in any form, is a disease known as dementia, and not an inevitable part of aging.Tangled Minds provides a comprehensive overview of dementia, its history, the politics of its fight for recognition, the research being done to discover its causes, and the treatments now being used to alleviate its symptoms. Weaving these details around the story of one Alzheimer's patient, Gillick provides both a human interest story and an analytical study. Clearly describing medical details while fully capturing the pain of dementia with compassionate insight, Tangled Minds is an invaluable resource for family, friends, caregivers, and professionals dealing with Alzheimer's and similar disorders. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a combined personal and professional review of Alzheimer's
I picked up this book while browzing the bookstore in an effort to makesense of the behavior my family was seeing in my 87 year old mother who hadhad a stroke (right brain) in 12/97.Having been told that she wassuffering from "vascular dementia", I proceeded to investigatewhat that really meant. Even my son, a physician, was not really clear onhow that differed from Alzheimer's.Dr. Gillick's book outlines a typicalcourse of dementia, from early to late stage using a fictional compositepatient drawn from her medical experience.She interstices this story withfactual material on legal, political, medical research, and cost issues.Ihave recommended this book to friends and colleagues interested in aging,particularly related to brain assaults.There is much good material inthis book even if the patient is not a diagnosed Alzheimer's sufferer. ... Read more

Product Description
"Kaleidoscope" explores the ways in which art therapy is an extremely effective treatment modality for working with dementia patients. Ellen Stewart surveys what is known about Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related dementia's, as well as the new treatments available and some current research results. Several fascinating case studies will enlighten and absorb the reader, including one on the late Willem de Kooning. An original assessment form is included and an entire section of exercises to use with groups or individuals.

The creative process in and of itself is healing. Truly, a picture can speak a thousand words. ... Read more

Book Description
Now in its Second Edition, this practical guide focuses on assessment, diagnosis, and management of the complex array of dementia disorders seen in older patients. Using the conversational style and clinical vignettes found in all Practical Guides in Psychiatry titles, Dr. Agronin addresses all the subtypes of dementia and associated psychiatric conditions such as agitation, psychosis, and depression. This edition features a new chapter on mild cognitive impairment and expanded coverage of Alzheimer disease and risk factors. Chapters offer advice on caregiver support and legal and ethical concerns. Handy pocket-card appendices include tests used in the dementia workup and treatment guides for agitation, psychosis, and depression. The Practical Guides in Psychiatry series provides quick, concise information for professionals on the front lines of mental health care. Written in an easy-to-read, conversational style, these invaluable resources take you through each step of the psychiatric care process, delivering fast facts and helpful strategies that help you provide effective and compassionate care to your patients. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

A Blessing!!!
Rosette Teitel is a gifted author. Her book is informative, helpful and full of PRACTICAL coping mechanisms, suggestions and resources. It is clearly written and is a guide on a difficult journey. My family and I found it to be invaluable . Mrs. Teitel addressed specific issues from many angles... all in one book!!
THE HANDHOLDER'S HANDBOOK is a God-send... a MUST READ for caregivers of anyone with dementia/Alzheimer's. If you buy nothing else, BUY AND READ THE HANDHOLDER'S HANDBOOK!! ... Read more

Book Description
Contemporary dementia research has seen rapid advances since publicationof the first edition in 1991, lending a new optimism to delaying onset and even preventing these especially frustrating and heartbreaking illnesses.This third edition has been revised, updated, and expanded to coverchanges in the classification, management, treatment, and research indementing illnesses. It includes a world-class presentation on themolecular and genetic basis of Alzheimer's disease; new chapters onneuroimaging, mild cognitive impairment, the frontotemporal dementias, and the dementias associated with Lewy bodies; plus a new section on thelinguistic evaluation of dementing illness in the chapter on evaluation of cognitive function. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great resource!
A great resource! This book has been very helpful in my practice because of its comprehensive discussion about the dementias, differential diagnoses, assessment tools, caregivers' concerns, community resources, legal and ethical issues, among other things. Despite its breadth, it's also an easy read.

a solid resource
This book is definitely designed for clinicians, but in some ways is too basic for professionals who primarily work with dementia patients.However, the chapters on family, legal issues and particularly the chapteron environment are very useful.A good resource for a clinician new totreating dementia. ... Read more