Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer's Disease: A Christian Perspective

by Hall; Elizabeth T

• ISBN13: 9780789008725
• ISBN10: 0789008726
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-02-11
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Clarify your thinking on an issue that can tear families apart! Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer's Disease: A Christian Perspective is the touching story of a woman's daily struggles as a caregiver to her mother who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. You'll learn how God's presence in her life has helped her. You will also find practical day-to-day tips for living with a loved one suffering from senile dementia and how your spirituality can make the journey easier for both of you. This important guide provides an honest description of the emotions you may be forced to come to terms with while dealing with a loved one or parishioner with Alzheimer's disease and how God's presence in your life can help lift that burden. Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer's Disease gives you firsthand accounts of the stages of pain, despair, acceptance, and victory that you may experience while caring for someone with Alzheimer's to let you know that what you are feeling is normal and that God will help you overcome these challenges. Alzheimer's disease often goes undetected until its later stages. This informative book renders a clear description of the disease, alerting you to the known warning signs of dementia, and preparing you for the possibility of such a diagnosis. Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer's Disease is filled with tips and suggestions to make caring for your loved one easier for both of you, such as: learning to separate the person from the disease researching the disease and keeping informed about every aspect of this progressive and irreversible neurological disorder realizing that you need emotional support and should seek help from your pastor, church care group, or best friend discovering how having power of attorney and creating a living will can prevent many problems in the future understanding that to care for your loved one at home is challenging and that taking simple steps, such as "baby-proofing" your house, will prevent traumatic disasters turning your anger and guilt to positive energy and avoiding emotional drain and strain This unique book offers you solace amidst the turbulence of caring for someone stricken with this difficult condition. Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer's Disease provides an open and honest description of how faith can comfort and support you and your family while you care for someone with dementia.

Table of Contents

My Statement of Faith	ix
Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xiii
Introduction: The Reason for It All	1	(4)
Faith in Spite of Fear	5	(8)
Caring for Your Loved One---Legally	13	(4)
Surviving the Diagnosis	17	(6)
Choices: Stage One	23	(4)
Giving Up	27	(8)
Anger: When ``Nasty'' Creeps into Your Life	35	(10)
Agitation, Sleep Disturbances, and Other Disasters	45	(6)
Dialogue with Dementia: Communication Problems	51	(10)
Individual Differences	61	(4)
Fears, Phobias, Fantasies, and Other Foibles	65	(8)
Role Reversal: Learning to Say ``No''	73	(4)
Taking Care of Yourself	77	(6)
Smoochies, Snugglies, and Other Warm Fuzzies	83	(4)
Choices: Stage Two: Placement?	87	(6)
Support Groups	93	(6)
Survival Pointers for Everyday Life	99	(8)
Moral Judgments: When Black and White Turn Gray	107	(6)
Journey's End	113	(10)
Epilogue	117	(6)
CLOSING THOUGHTS	123	(20)
I Heard My Mother's Voice Again	125	(2)
I Wonder About Alzheimer's	127	(4)
Waiting	131	(4)
Today	135	(2)
Fighting Back	137	(4)
Final Prayer	141	(2)
Recommended Reading	143	(2)
Index	145