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The Stranger You Love: A Comprehensive Guide to Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's Disease or Other Dementias
Whether you’ve just learned about a loved one’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, or you’re a long-time caregiver, if you’re looking for a trustworthy, comprehensive resource to help you cope, feel less overwhelmed, and improve your skills and confidence as a caregiver then this is the book for you.
The aim of this book is to improve your life as a caregiver as well as the life of the loved one in your care.
We show you the most effective strategies for coping with the ever-changing challenges of caregiving for the person with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
Written by authors who “get” what you’re going through, it covers everything you need to know with warmth, attention to detail, and clarity, and offers all the information required to provide skilled care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia.
You will be better prepared to handle the disconcerting and disorientating behavior of the person in your care. You will know what to do and what to expect when facing day-to-day and longer-term problems. You’ll be less likely to find yourself frustrated, bewildered, or at a loss.
This book will walk you through a unique caregiving approach grounded in empathy, dignity and understanding. It will provide you the knowledge and tools you need to care with confidence and compassion.
In the book, you’ll learn:
About Alzheimer’s disease and what to expect as it progresses
Practical aspects of caring for most situations you will encounter
Hundreds of tips for everyday caregiving
How to respond productively and helpfully to behaviors
How to keep the home safe to prevent accidents
How to find the right medical professionals
About the alternatives to homecare, such as adult daycare centers and long-term care
How to choose an alternative-care or long-term care facility
Detailed information about the legal and financial must-knows that you can’t afford to ignore.
The financial aspects including tips for paying for long-term care, government programs, tax breaks, and other resources for financial help
The legal and ethical aspects of caregiving, what to do when the person is no longer capable of communicating his or her wishes, including medical decision-making, living wills, durable medical power of attorney, Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders, financial management and estate planning, durable power of attorney for finances, and a living trust and guardianship
Where to get help, including tips on getting referrals for medical care, finding support groups, and how to get the most out of online searches.
Links to hundreds of helpful websites
What to do when hospitalization is required
About the medications used to treat Alzheimer’s disease
How to help children adjust
And much, much more
The aim of this book is to improve your life as a caregiver as well as the life of the loved one in your care.
We show you the most effective strategies for coping with the ever-changing challenges of caregiving for the person with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
Written by authors who “get” what you’re going through, it covers everything you need to know with warmth, attention to detail, and clarity, and offers all the information required to provide skilled care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia.
You will be better prepared to handle the disconcerting and disorientating behavior of the person in your care. You will know what to do and what to expect when facing day-to-day and longer-term problems. You’ll be less likely to find yourself frustrated, bewildered, or at a loss.
This book will walk you through a unique caregiving approach grounded in empathy, dignity and understanding. It will provide you the knowledge and tools you need to care with confidence and compassion.
In the book, you’ll learn:
About Alzheimer’s disease and what to expect as it progresses
Practical aspects of caring for most situations you will encounter
Hundreds of tips for everyday caregiving
How to respond productively and helpfully to behaviors
How to keep the home safe to prevent accidents
How to find the right medical professionals
About the alternatives to homecare, such as adult daycare centers and long-term care
How to choose an alternative-care or long-term care facility
Detailed information about the legal and financial must-knows that you can’t afford to ignore.
The financial aspects including tips for paying for long-term care, government programs, tax breaks, and other resources for financial help
The legal and ethical aspects of caregiving, what to do when the person is no longer capable of communicating his or her wishes, including medical decision-making, living wills, durable medical power of attorney, Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders, financial management and estate planning, durable power of attorney for finances, and a living trust and guardianship
Where to get help, including tips on getting referrals for medical care, finding support groups, and how to get the most out of online searches.
Links to hundreds of helpful websites
What to do when hospitalization is required
About the medications used to treat Alzheimer’s disease
How to help children adjust
And much, much more
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2022
8 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 26, 2022
Outstanding Book ! Alzheimer's is a disease that we all must work hard to change. The positive is that some say "I am a cancer survivor" Let us work on "I am an Alzheimer's survivor". I must read book.
July 20, 2023
The Stranger You Love is a book by Renée Despres, Guy Slowik, Candice Greenwood, and Bernard Isaacs. After applying the material from a short draft by Dr. Bernard Isaacs, the authors share a comprehensive guide that walks through the definition of dementia, diagnosis, and care of a loved one with the disease. With examples and visuals for clarification, the book outlines the stages of dementia, allowing for differences in personalities, behaviors, and frustrations. The authors suggest a framework for determining a care routine and the selection of a physician and recommend tools that may help your loved ones care for themselves, games for fun, and safety devices.
Renée Despres, Guy Slowik, Candice Greenwood, and Bernard Isaacs have written a highly useful book that will help individuals who have been recently diagnosed with dementia and caregivers understand the disease and approach it with more understanding and compassion. The text helps readers make informed decisions and advises them about what they can expect as they care for a person with dementia and how to handle the designation of responsibilities before a person’s decline. The book should be digested in its entirety so as not to miss anything of importance, and the material is truly a support for caregivers as it replaces assumptions with a renewed point of view, humanizes the loved one as they progress into the latter stages of dementia, and inspires empathy and compassionate care. Giving a full view of dementia, the book could be a comfort to caregivers who see the behaviors they witness reflected in the text. The Stranger You Love is a great selection for those who have been recently diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers.
Renée Despres, Guy Slowik, Candice Greenwood, and Bernard Isaacs have written a highly useful book that will help individuals who have been recently diagnosed with dementia and caregivers understand the disease and approach it with more understanding and compassion. The text helps readers make informed decisions and advises them about what they can expect as they care for a person with dementia and how to handle the designation of responsibilities before a person’s decline. The book should be digested in its entirety so as not to miss anything of importance, and the material is truly a support for caregivers as it replaces assumptions with a renewed point of view, humanizes the loved one as they progress into the latter stages of dementia, and inspires empathy and compassionate care. Giving a full view of dementia, the book could be a comfort to caregivers who see the behaviors they witness reflected in the text. The Stranger You Love is a great selection for those who have been recently diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers.
July 14, 2022
A Must Have for Families of Dementia Patients
As someone who has lived with and helped care for a dementia patient I cannot recommend this book enough. It is truly is a comprehensive guide covering everything from the practicalities of safety and legal issues, to the emotional well being of the caregiver and the children in the family. I particularly thought the way the authors explained the experience of the person with the disease, and how we can have compassion for their experience and not forget the human being they are at their core, was so very valuable. Well done.
As someone who has lived with and helped care for a dementia patient I cannot recommend this book enough. It is truly is a comprehensive guide covering everything from the practicalities of safety and legal issues, to the emotional well being of the caregiver and the children in the family. I particularly thought the way the authors explained the experience of the person with the disease, and how we can have compassion for their experience and not forget the human being they are at their core, was so very valuable. Well done.
July 15, 2022
Incredibly comprehensive! MUST read for anyone with a loved one with memory loss.
This book has everything you need to know about Alzheimer’s. It is enjoyable to read with with a nice mix of stories, practical advice and medical information. The book is extremely well written and covers all bases. I’m a board certified family physician and recommend this book to anyone who has a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
This book has everything you need to know about Alzheimer’s. It is enjoyable to read with with a nice mix of stories, practical advice and medical information. The book is extremely well written and covers all bases. I’m a board certified family physician and recommend this book to anyone who has a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
August 1, 2022
This is the perfect guide for people wanting to learn more about Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias. It's packed with strategies, very detailed, and presents a future outlook of what to expect as a caregiver. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone in a medical care setting as well.
September 9, 2022
Great book for people caring of dementia patient
I liked the book. It is very informative. It is highly recommended for anyone who has a family member with dementia.
I liked the book. It is very informative. It is highly recommended for anyone who has a family member with dementia.
July 13, 2022
Such an awesome resource for those dealing with loved ones suffering dementia. This book has information from all aspects of the process and is a must have for anyone in a similar situation.
January 31, 2024
This book gives a lot of good advice on how to deal with the stuff life throws at you when your loved one suffers from Alzheimer's. Not only that, but the writing is engaging and easy to understand even for most lay persons.
I skipped/skimmed some chapters that dealt specifically with the situation in the US, as most of the advice in those specific chapters is not applicable where I live.
All in all, I wish I had known about this book a few years earlier, when my loved one was still in the very early stages of the disease. There were so many things I would have liked to know sooner. Things the case manager never told us-I assume because she doesn't know, which is really sad.
What I loved most about this book, was the love and respect for the person with Alzheimer's that shone through on each and every page.
I skipped/skimmed some chapters that dealt specifically with the situation in the US, as most of the advice in those specific chapters is not applicable where I live.
All in all, I wish I had known about this book a few years earlier, when my loved one was still in the very early stages of the disease. There were so many things I would have liked to know sooner. Things the case manager never told us-I assume because she doesn't know, which is really sad.
What I loved most about this book, was the love and respect for the person with Alzheimer's that shone through on each and every page.
July 18, 2022
Excellent and Insightful Guide
This book is an excellent resource and comprehensive guide for those that suffer with dementia.
There is such valuable insight for caregivers and family members alike.
Range of topics are well covered such as nutrition, health, finance, house management, family dynamics, patient care, medication, alternative treatments, resources and so much more.
The author did a remarkable job explaining the disease and offering incredible support systems to have in place. It's one thing to write a book but when you lived it there's a compelling reason and purpose to help others in their time of need.
I've already recommended this book to a friend in need of support. I highly recommend this book. Thank you for providing this incredible resource. Well Done.
This book is an excellent resource and comprehensive guide for those that suffer with dementia.
There is such valuable insight for caregivers and family members alike.
Range of topics are well covered such as nutrition, health, finance, house management, family dynamics, patient care, medication, alternative treatments, resources and so much more.
The author did a remarkable job explaining the disease and offering incredible support systems to have in place. It's one thing to write a book but when you lived it there's a compelling reason and purpose to help others in their time of need.
I've already recommended this book to a friend in need of support. I highly recommend this book. Thank you for providing this incredible resource. Well Done.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews