Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part 1: Getting Started with Alzheimer’s and Dementia 5
Chapter 1: An Overview of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease 7
Chapter 2: Spotting the Symptoms 17
Chapter 3: Considering Causes and Risk Factors 39
Chapter 4: Distinguishing Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease from Other Medical Conditions 61
Part 2: Helping a Loved One Manage the Illness 71
Chapter 5: Receiving a Diagnosis 73
Chapter 6: Looking at the Tests Used to Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease 95
Chapter 7: Understanding the Stages of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease 111
Chapter 8: Eyeing Medical Treatments 125
Chapter 9: Considering Nonmedical Treatments 139
Part 3: Providing Care for Your Loved One 163
Chapter 10: Managing Your Loved One’s Care and Day-to-Day Life 165
Chapter 11: Making Medical Decisions 205
Chapter 12: Addressing Legal Issues 217
Chapter 13: Working through Financial Issues on Behalf of Your Loved One 243
Chapter 14: Choosing Ongoing Care for Your Loved One 265
Chapter 15: Easing the Transition to New Surroundings 295
Part 4: Respite Care for the Caregiver 307
Chapter 16: Coping While Caregiving 309
Chapter 17: Finding Support 339
Chapter 18: Knowing What to Do If the Person with Dementia
Goes into the Hospital 349
Chapter 19: Keeping Up with Work and Family as a Caregiver 355
Chapter 20: Helping When You’re Not the Primary Caregiver 367
Part 5: The Part of Tens 377
Chapter 21: Ten Tips for Dealing with Dementia 379
Chapter 22: Ten Tips for Caregivers, Friends, and Families 387
Chapter 23: Busting Ten Myths about Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease 395
Appendix: Resources for Caregivers 401
Index 407