Alzheimer's : A Caregivers Guide and Sourcebook

by Gruetzner, Howard

• ISBN13: 9780471379676
• ISBN10: 0471379670
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-08-03
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

The landmark bestselling guide--now updated with the latest essential informationThe third edition of this critically acclaimed guide leads you through the realities of caring for a loved one struggling with Alzheimer's. The author, a nationally recognized authority, details the latest developments in treatment and care options and offers helpful, hopeful advice for getting through difficult challenges. Now fully revised and updated, this edition includes new chapters designed to help caregivers cope with stress and depression and offers information on the latest breakthrough research developments and treatments. Alzheimer's speaks directly to your vital concerns, including: the symptoms and traits of Alzheimer's, what to expect at each progressive stage, and how to respond to behavior problems the full range of treatments and support services available, including tips on how to locate and finance them ways to understand your feelings and the impact of grief new information on managing caregiver stress and chronic depression in sufferers the latest therapies and medical research With its sensitive and in-depth examination, Alzheimer's shows how to make the care you give more rewarding and effective and how to make the life of anyone caught in the grip of Alzheimer's more loving and comfortable."Valuable information for families, friends, and caregivers. . . a concisely written, essential resource."-Booklist

Author Biography

HOWARD GRUETZNER, M.E., is the Director of the Heart of Texas Region Mental Health Mental Retardation Center——Elder Services. He is also the founder of the Alzheimer’s Family Support Group in the region. He conducts seminars on dementia and other geriatric mental health problems.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Acknowledgments	xi
Special Acknowledgment	xv
Part I The Caregiver Experience	1	(236)
What Is Alzheimer's Disease?	3	(8)
A Case History	3	(2)
Early Detection and Treatment	5	(1)
Causes of Disease-Multiple Factors	6	(2)
The Statistics	8	(3)
Symptoms and Phases of Alzheimer's Disease	11	(22)
Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease	11	(12)
Phases of Alzheimer's Disease	23	(1)
Early Confusional Phase	24	(1)
Late Confusional Phase	25	(1)
Early Dementia	26	(2)
Middle Dementia	28	(3)
Late Dementia	31	(2)
Depression and the Person with Alzheimer's Disease	33	(26)
Risk Factors for Depression	35	(1)
Signs and Symptoms of Depression	36	(3)
Depressive Symptoms and Disorders	39	(7)
Causes of Depression with Alzheimer's Disease	46	(2)
Treatment for Depression	48	(6)
Grief and Coping	54	(5)
Possible Causes of Alzheimer's Disease	59	(15)
What Does Not Cause Alzheimer's	59	(1)
The Genetic Theory	60	(3)
The Viral Theory	63	(1)
The Immune System Theory	64	(1)
The Aluminum Theory	65	(1)
Psychosocial Factors and Dementia	65	(9)
Six Common Myths About Alzheimer's	74	(8)
Alzheimer's Symptoms Are a Normal Sign of Old Age	74	(1)
Senility Is the Usual Cause of Problems in Old Age	75	(2)
Nothing Can Be Done for the Person with Alzheimer's	77	(1)
Alzheimer's Is Strictly a Mental Illness	77	(1)
Only the Family Should Care for the Person with Alzheimer's	78	(1)
All Relatives of People with Alzheimer's Are Likely to Inherit the Disease	79	(3)
Coping: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Caregiver's Experience	82	(10)
A Hypothetical Case History	82	(1)
Noticing Initial Symptoms	83	(1)
Confirming Suspicions	84	(1)
Seeking Information	85	(1)
Taking Action	85	(1)
Weighing Findings	86	(1)
Identifying Resources	86	(1)
Planning Care	87	(1)
Managing Caregiver Stress	88	(4)
From Family Care to Alzheimer's Care: Preparing for Caregiving	92	(22)
Differences in Alzheimer's Caregiving and Traditional Family Care	98	(2)
Coping with Problems Common to Chronic Disease	100	(11)
Motivations for Helping	111	(3)
Understanding Behavioral Changes	114	(20)
Early Threats to Who We Are	115	(1)
The Impact of Losses on Relating	115	(1)
Attempts to Understand Behavior	116	(1)
Revising Your Expectations	117	(2)
Questioning Old Beliefs About Behavior	119	(5)
Emotions and Alzheimer's Behavior	124	(2)
Emotional and Behavioral Communication	126	(2)
Behavior and Stress	128	(1)
Catastrophic Reactions	129	(2)
Excess Disability	131	(1)
Summary	131	(3)
Stages of Family Adjustment	134	(9)
Accepting the Disease	134	(3)
Denial	137	(2)
Overinvolvement	139	(1)
Anger	140	(1)
Guilt	141	(1)
Acceptance	142	(1)
Family Responses to Care	143	(17)
Need for Family Support	143	(1)
Compatible vs. Conflictual Families	144	(3)
New Views of Parent	147	(1)
Cohesive vs. Fragmented Families	147	(1)
Productive vs. Nonproductive Families	147	(1)
Fragile vs. Stable Families	148	(1)
Family Roles and Rules	149	(2)
Family Roles During Crisis	151	(3)
Caregivers and Caregiving	154	(6)
Values, Beliefs, and the Caregiver Experience	160	(4)
Expectations Influence Our Feelings and Reactions	160	(4)
How to Respond Positively to Alzheimer's Behaviors	164	(19)
Depression and the Alzheimer's Caregiver	183	(17)
How Common Is Caregiver Depression?	184	(1)
Reasons We Fail to Recognize Depression	185	(1)
Depressive Disorders	186	(3)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder	189	(1)
Risk Factors for Caregiver Depression	190	(10)
Coping with Ongoing Caregiver Stress	200	(24)
Learning to Analyze and Manage Change	200	(2)
Stressors, Stress, and Coping	202	(3)
Responding to Thoughts and Stressors	205	(2)
Stress and Self-Talk	207	(1)
Irrational Beliefs Cause Stress	208	(3)
Coping Model	211	(3)
Different Types of Stress	214	(1)
Manifestations of Stress	215	(1)
Coping Examples	216	(1)
Coping Approaches for Different Stressors	217	(5)
Twelve Steps for Caregivers	222	(2)
Exploring Community Resources	224	(13)
Drawing upon Community Resources Reduces Strain on the Caregiver	224	(3)
Community Resources for Alzheimer's Care	227	(2)
Considerations for Nursing Home Care	229	(5)
Final Resource Considerations	234	(3)
Part II Research and Treatment	237	(54)
Abnormal Changes in the Brain	239	(25)
Physical Changes in the Brain	240	(1)
Anatomy of the Brain	241	(1)
Neurofibrillary Tangles	242	(5)
Senile or Neuritic Plaques	247	(3)
Granulovacuolar Degeneration	250	(2)
Hirano Bodies	252	(1)
Congophilic Angiopathy	253	(1)
Chemical Changes in the Brain	254	(1)
More About Brain Anatomy	254	(3)
The Cholinergic System	257	(2)
The Serotonergic System	259	(1)
The Noradrenergic System	260	(1)
Somatostatin	261	(1)
The Glutaminergic System	261	(1)
Treating Neurotransmitter Deficiencies	262	(1)
Summary	263	(1)
Treatment Possibilities	264	(19)
Role of Drugs in Alzheimer's Treatment	264	(2)
Should You Participate in Drug Research Study?	266	(1)
Inconsistencies in Drug Studies	266	(2)
Cholinergic Agents	268	(2)
Available Cholinesterase Inhibitors	270	(3)
Cholinergic Receptor Agonists	273	(1)
Naloxone and Naltrexone	274	(1)
Vasodilators and Nootropic Agents	274	(1)
Neuropeptides	275	(1)
Psychostimulants	276	(1)
Glutaminergic Agents	276	(1)
Combination Drug Studies	277	(1)
Estrogen, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, and Antioxidants	278	(2)
Statins	280	(1)
Neuronal Transplants	281	(2)
Psychiatric Medications and Dementia	283	(8)
Side Effects	285	(1)
Major Tranquilizers (Neuroleptics or Antipsychotics)	286	(1)
Minor Tranquilizers	287	(1)
Antidepressants	288	(2)
Summary	290	(1)
An Afterword	291	(2)
Appendix A: Worksheets	293	(16)
Appendix B: Self-Help Groups and Organizations That Can Help	309	(6)
Appendix C: Internet and World Wide Web Resources	315	(2)
Bibliography	317	(8)
Index	325