Do you know originally published in 1981, The 36-Hour Day, A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementias, and Memory Loss, was the first book of its kind. Thirty years later, with dozens of other books on the market, it remains the definitive guide for people caring for someone with dementia.
Now in a new and updated edition, this best-selling book features thoroughly revised chapters on the causes of dementia, managing the early stages of dementia, the prevention of dementia, and finding appropriate living arrangements for the person who has dementia when home care is no longer an option.
Review:
This is a very well written book and an absolute must if you find yourself scrambling as a caregiver for a spouse suffering with dementia. It's suggestions for ways to deal with the many changes that occur as time passes are, in my experience, sensible and generally effective.
The text is more conversational than technical -- though more detail is offered where appropriate. The author doesn't pretend that every approach will work in every situation or with every patient -- which is certainly true.
A fascinating book and a true roadmap to where you have been and where you are headed. It is sympathetic, and helps you recognise that the person you are caring for is still there, even if not in the form you recognise - and we do need to be reminded of that. The authors are careful not to de-humanize the subject or the carer, and they acknowledge the frustrations both will experience. The best thing it does is point out there can be times of genuine quality - it's not always a long dark tunnel.
The doctors who wrote the book are very familiar with the many problems involved with caring for someone who is slowly losing the ability to do every day things we all take for granted...dressing, eating, bathing .... even talking and every day manners.
This book taught that patience and understanding often prevent of catastrophic reactions. Prevention can help all parties avoid 36-hour days. Learning that stress, illness and new situations clearly promote the onset of dementia-like symptoms has helped you avoid being visibly angry or disappointed when a vulnerable person reacts in ways that are unreasonable.
And this book will help you to better:
1. understand what your loved one is going through.
2. deal with the behavioral issues associated with Alzheimer's.
3. find medical help.
4. find additional Alzheimer's and dementia information from a number of helpful organizations.
5. discover support groups.
6. save a lot of time (when you are a caregiver for someone with dementia, time is usually in very short supply--hence, the title of the book).
7. evaluate financial possibilities.
8. understand that you are most definitely not alone in your dealing with dementia's effects.
Now in a new and updated edition, this best-selling book features thoroughly revised chapters on the causes of dementia, managing the early stages of dementia, the prevention of dementia, and finding appropriate living arrangements for the person who has dementia when home care is no longer an option.
Review:
This is a very well written book and an absolute must if you find yourself scrambling as a caregiver for a spouse suffering with dementia. It's suggestions for ways to deal with the many changes that occur as time passes are, in my experience, sensible and generally effective.
The text is more conversational than technical -- though more detail is offered where appropriate. The author doesn't pretend that every approach will work in every situation or with every patient -- which is certainly true.
A fascinating book and a true roadmap to where you have been and where you are headed. It is sympathetic, and helps you recognise that the person you are caring for is still there, even if not in the form you recognise - and we do need to be reminded of that. The authors are careful not to de-humanize the subject or the carer, and they acknowledge the frustrations both will experience. The best thing it does is point out there can be times of genuine quality - it's not always a long dark tunnel.
The doctors who wrote the book are very familiar with the many problems involved with caring for someone who is slowly losing the ability to do every day things we all take for granted...dressing, eating, bathing .... even talking and every day manners.
This book taught that patience and understanding often prevent of catastrophic reactions. Prevention can help all parties avoid 36-hour days. Learning that stress, illness and new situations clearly promote the onset of dementia-like symptoms has helped you avoid being visibly angry or disappointed when a vulnerable person reacts in ways that are unreasonable.
And this book will help you to better:
1. understand what your loved one is going through.
2. deal with the behavioral issues associated with Alzheimer's.
3. find medical help.
4. find additional Alzheimer's and dementia information from a number of helpful organizations.
5. discover support groups.
6. save a lot of time (when you are a caregiver for someone with dementia, time is usually in very short supply--hence, the title of the book).
7. evaluate financial possibilities.
8. understand that you are most definitely not alone in your dealing with dementia's effects.
