Alzheimer's Shadow: Families Facing Critical Decisions

More than 15.4 million family members face the stress or soaring medical costs of providing care for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease. Offering safe practical ways to ensure quality care is critical. Learning what to expect as the disease progresses, what resources are available and how to work cooperatively with other family members and professionals are key components to providing quality care. Younger children have the most difficult times understanding why their grandparent stops playing with them, says silly things, and eventually forgets who they are. These changes weigh heavily on each family member and tests the families' strength and determination to work through the challenges. Alzheimer's Shadow: Families Facing Critical Decisions addresses these concerns and more with sensitivity and clarity in easy to read case studies. Through the use of insightful questions, readers develop their own strategies to adapt to each phase of the disease. Alzheimer's Shadow: Families Facing Critical Decisions will provide sound, loving and sensible support to help make informed decisions. Drawing from over 20 years of clinical work with Alzheimer's disease, consultation with skilled facilities and on the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer's Association serving Arizona and Nevada, Dr. Gelber guides you through your journey. From initial acknowledgment of Alzheimer's through the unforgiving stages a family must negotiate as the disease progresses, Dr. Gelber offers a practical approach to maintain the integrity and safety of the person affected with Alzheimer's, while providing the love, understanding, and care that all family members deserve. Specific focus includes: -Coping with the diagnosis and assisting the family with adjustment to disease progression -Understanding what to expect in each phase of the disease -Talking to children and grandchildren about Alzheimer's disease -Families working to maintain dignity and physical health of loved ones with Alzheimer's -Maintaining safety in the home -When placement in a secure environment is necessary -Benefits from valuable local and social network resources