Staying Connected While Letting Go: The Paradox of Alzheimer's Caregiving

by Braff, Sandy; Olenik, Mary Rose; Lazarus, Arnold A.; Branff, Sandy

• ISBN13: 9781590770122
• ISBN10: 1590770129
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-01-01
• Publisher: Natl Book Network

Summary

This book, laced with poignant stories, focuses on the emotional impact of this disease on the caregivers and offers specific coping strategies they can use to keep them emotionally sane in this chaotic time.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xi
Preface	p. xv
Acknowledgments	p. xvi
Introduction	p. 1
The Beginning Stage
First Encounters	p. 7
If Only I Could Be Wrong: Tentative Diagnosis	p. 11
Beginning Stage Behaviors
The Importance of Seeking a Diagnosis
What Now? Reactions to the Diagnosis	p. 21
Disclosing the Diagnosis to the Patient
Disclosing the Diagnosis to Others
Legal and Financial Preparation
Reaching In and Reaching Out: Adaptation	p. 31
Adaptation to Role Changes
Coping and Resilience
Rallying the Troops: Family Reactions	p. 39
The Shell Without the Pearl: Transcending Loss	p. 45
Loss of Mutuality
Loss of Personality
Loss of Communication
Loss of Physical Intimacy
Loss of Partnership
Loss of Sense of Belonging: Isolation
Discovering the Paradox of Caregiving
The Middle Stage
Coming to Terms	p. 71
The Importance of Acquiring Coping Skills
Managing Your Attitudes and Thoughts
Middle-Stage Behaviors
Your Role in the Accomodating to the Middle Stage
Confronting the Demons: Your Emotional Reactions to the Middle Stage	p. 79
Denial
Resentment
Guilt
Fear
Frustration
Tears of Laughter: The Importance of Humor	p. 111
The Power of Laughter
The Mars and Venus of Adapting to Change: Gender Differences	p. 115
The Lonely Bed: Adapting to Profound Loss of Intimacy	p. 125
Understanding Sexual Behavior in Alzheimer's
Extramarital Companionship
Harvesting Your Communal Garden: Preventing Burnout	p. 135
Taking Time out for Yourself
Day Care
In-home Care
Going It Alone
I Think I Can, I Think I Can, I Know I Can: Resiliency	p. 149
Coming to Terms with the Challenges of Alzheimer's
The Late Middle Stage
The Long Good-bye	p. 157
Late-Middle-Stage Behaviors
Loss of Recognition by Spouse
I'm Beat and I'm Scared: Caregiving Intensifies--Resource Options	p. 163
Family Involvement
Alternatives to Placement
When Placement Becomes Necessary
The Angst of Placement
Transitioning to Life Alone
When Alone Equals Lonely: Loneliness and Companionship	p. 189
The Final Stage and Beyond
Nearing the Journey's End: Final Stages of Alzheimer's	p. 199
Final Stage Behaviors
The Relief of Planning Ahead: Advanced Directives	p. 207
Allowing for a Natural Death
Another Paradox: Anticipatory Grief and Mourning	p. 213
At Peace, My Love: Death of a Spouse	p. 217
Cleaning out the Closets: The Process of Closure	p. 227
Honoring Your Tomorrows: Reentry Post Caregiving	p. 231
Getting Started
Successfully Coming Full Circle
And You Shall Triumph
Bibliography	p. 245
About the Authors	p. 247
Index	p. 249
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