Practical Dementia Care

by Peter V. Rabins, Constantine G. Lyketsos, Cynthia D. Steele

Overview

This is a comprehensive yet practical guide to the care and management of patients with dementia from the time of diagnosis to the end of life. It is intended for the increasing number of physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, rehabilitation therapists, and long-term care givers responsible for the care of individuals with dementia. For the Second Edition, the authors have added a chapter on mild cognitive impairment. The sections that received the most extensive revision or expansion include those on drug therapy; the pathophysiology of several causes of dementia; psychiatric symptoms of dementia and their treatment (especially drug treatment); and dementia in special environments (especially assisted living and nursing homes).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190290900
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/19/2006
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

all at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Table of Contents

Preface to Second Edition

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Michael Schrift, DO (University of Washington School of Medicine)
Description: This is the 2nd edition of this volume focusing on evidenced-based practical clinical strategies for the care of individuals with cognitive impairments, specifically, dementia. Written and edited by nationally recognized clinician-researchers in geriatric neuropsychiatry, this book is an excellent source of guidance in the care of individuals with a wide-range of biopsychosocial problems.
Purpose: The purpose of the book is to update and enhance the knowledge base of professionals involved in the diagnosis and management of individuals suffering from dementia. The authors state "...that the best care (for patients with dementia) is provided by individuals who are well trained, who have developed a variety of techniques, who can treat each patient as an individual, and who are able to identify, within themselves, the rewards and frustrations of caring for people with chronic and usually progressive, debilitating diseases." This book is a step towards this goal.
Audience: The intended audience, as stated by the authors include "...primary care and specialist physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, activity therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and gerontologists." Also, the authors hope that the book would be useful for policy makers and health administrators.
Features: The book features 336 pages divided into 14 chapters, including appendices, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. Topics covered include the evaluation of dementia, cortical dementias, subcortical and mixed dementias, dementia management with chapters on the patient as well as the family and care provider. Common problems encountered in dementia patients are addressed including sleep, eating, and sexual problems. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are covered. Mild cognitive impairment, terminal care, ethical/legal issues, as well as genetics are reviewed. Guidelines for dementia care for families and psychosocial interventions that are utilized at John Hopkins and basic are included in the appendices. The book ends with a helpful glossary, bibliography, and index.
Assessment: This is an excellent second edition of this very useful book in the care of patients suffering from dementia. Any clinician involved in the care of the cognitively impaired should be required to know the information contained in this book. It is an indispensable guide.

Doody's Review Service

From published reviews of the first edition: "The authors write well, mostly without jargon and in direct, clear statements, so reading this book is easy and inviting . . . This is a very good book for those of us working with demented patients. I strongly recommend it." —Michael R. Bieber, PhD, in the American Journal of Psychiatry

". . . good reading for any clinician dealing with the geriatric population. . . . The book is sprinkled throughout with practical clinical pearls . . . Practical Dementia Care will make a welcome and delightful addition to the libraries of physicians and other health care providers who are involved in the care of persons with memory disorders." —Gayatri Devi, MD, in Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

"This is an excellent second edition of this very useful book in the care of patients suffering from dementia. Any clinician involved in the care of the cognitively impaired should be required to know the information contained in this book. It is an indispensable guide."—Doody's

From the Publisher