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4.1 of 5 stars
More than four million Americans suffer from Alzheimer deal with wandering, paranoia, and aggression read full description

reviews

Apr 29, 2009
Sharon marked it as to-read
Learning to Speak Alzheimer's is written by a woman whose husband had Alzheimer's. I have always found caregivers to be among the best people to talk to and most of those caregivers I have known through support groups. I didn't read this book from cover to cover, but I just didn't feel the connection with this caregiver. I don't know if it is because my mother is a always so very unhappy and angry at us all and the author just seemed to handle it all so easily. Where are the difficult patien More...
Jul 11, 2009
Kathryn rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This was a great book. Even though it's written more for the caregiver, I think it's a great insight into how someone with this disease feels and sees the world and gives tips on how to handle them when they do something strange or hard. The two biggest lessons I walked away with were 1) you can't reason with someone who's beyond reasoning so go ahead and enter their world because it's real to them and 2) You're not a careGIVER you're a carepartner. Allow the person with Alzheimers to be part More...
Oct 02, 2011
Anne rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I read this earlier and it didn't stand out to me. Several people kept mentioning it to me, so I revisited it to see if I overlooked something.

-- Make the physical environment work. Simplify the environment. Accommodate perceptual loss by eliminating distractions.
-- Know that communication remains possible. Remember that the emotion behind failing words is far more important than the words themselves and needs to be validated. Although many losses occur with the disease, assume More...
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Mar 07, 2009
Laurie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
When a person has Alzheimer's, other people often don't know how to relate to them. This book emphasizes five aspects of "habilitation", which enhances communication and understanding between caregivers and patients. The author helps the reader to reconnect emotionally with the Alzheimer's patient even when verbal communication is limited by the disease. Hundreds of practical tips and an extensive appendix of resources make this a worthwhile read for those who have loved ones with A More...
May 30, 2010
Albert rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I think what drives my five-star rating for this book was my five-star need to find a roadmap into the Alzheimer disease which is taking my 92 year old mother from me slowly, by inches and by days. I hope you never need a resource like this, because I wouldn't wish the burden of a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia on any other soul. However, if your time comes, you will be better able to function as a caregiver if you have read this book and kept it as a readily accessible resource.
Jan 12, 2008
Cate rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Joanne Koenig Coste's experience with Alzheimer's disease predates the National Alzheimer's Association! Her husband was diagnosed with what we now know to be Early Onset AD when she was pregnant with their 4 child.

Quickly coming to grips with the reality of what was turning her life upside down, she did what she had to do.

Luckily she was near Rush Medical Center in Illinois, which pioneered the U.S. early work in the dementia field -- and is why the Alzheimer's Associat More...
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Jan 04, 2009
Elana rated it: 5 of 5 stars
An absolutely essential read for anyone dealing with Alzheimer's in any capacity. Coste offers a first-hand account of her life dealing with her husband's disease and it was very moving and practical.
Apr 20, 2011
Gord rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Fascinating book--loaded with practical advice interspersed with anecdotes of Alzheimer's sufferers.
Sep 07, 2011
Catherine rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Good, practical, thoughtful strategies for dealing with someone with Alzheimer's.
Jun 16, 2010
Frances rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Absolutely useful. Written with compassion and practicality.
Oct 17, 2009
Dana rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Really useful advice and tricks of trade for Alzheimer's care and how to successfully interact with patients. Give this to anyone whose loved one in is late mild to moderate stages. A giant step beyond the 36 Hour Day.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Sep 21, 2011
Emily rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Great book for understanding and coping with Alzheimer's. At times she seemed overly optimistic but I think the methods are good and worth trying for any family caring for a loved one with Alzheimers.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Dec 31, 2011
Kate added it
"The accuracy of our interchange was unimportant; her self-esteem was all that mattered."

HOLIDAYS: "Plan on having the person with Alzheimer's be with only one person at a time, to cut down on confusion and oversimulation."
Jul 30, 2011
Pat rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book is very helpful for anyone who had to start dealing with a relative who has this disease. It points out some important things to consider. I think it saves a person the effort of trying to re-invent the wheel. Great suggestions. Highly recommended.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 07, 2010
Patricia rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I read this book hoping to gain new insights in how to communicate with my mother who is in end-stage dementia. The book wasn't quite what I expected but it is the most practical book about Alzheimer's patient care I've read. I wish I'd read it years ago.
May 28, 2008
Jessica rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Really interesting, healthy, proactive approach to Alzheimer's. Practical information for protecting the emotional well being of both care giver and patient. Interspersed with actual people living it.
Jul 29, 2011
Lynn rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book has a lot of good ideas, insights, and information for anyone living with a loved one who has memory loss issues. I may just buy a copy.
Oct 24, 2008
Linda E. rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is an excellent book for understanding and dealing with those with dementia. So much to learn, this book is a lifesaver for caretakers.
Aug 16, 2008
Cwalsen rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book is an excellent resource for anyone who needs to deal with a family member who has any form of dementia.
Jun 02, 2011
Rose rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Wonderful revelations and strategies for understanding.
Jan 06, 2012
Pamela added it
Dec 25, 2011
Meredith marked it as to-read
Dec 04, 2011
Kate added it
Jan 05, 2012
Donna added it
Nov 11, 2011
Jeff added it
Nov 10, 2011
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Sep 30, 2011
Leslie marked it as to-read
Sep 25, 2011
Brenda marked it as to-read
Sep 13, 2011
Laura rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Sep 01, 2011
atla marked it as to-read