Caregiving in Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

Written by noted aging expert Dr. Eric Pfeiffer, Caregiving in Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias provides comprehensive advice for individuals taking care of a loved one with dementia. Arranged in four parts, with each detailing a specific aspect of what it means to care for someone with dementia, Pfeiffer begins by describing what is required of someone taking on the caregiver role. In part two, he explains more about the medical side of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, including diagnostic and treatment options. Part three is concerned with practical tips for caring for someone with dementia, with Pfeiffer paying particular attention to the early, middle, and late stages of the disease. In part four, Pfeiffer offers advice for taking care of oneself throughout the process of being a caregiver, and highlights the advantages of joining a caregiver support group, which is stressed in other sections of the book as well. Short summaries are provided at the conclusion of each chapter to remind the reader of key points. At the end of the book, Pfeiffer includes a question-and-answer session he conducted with individuals he considered to be successful caregivers about their experiences providing care. An appendix is also included describing resources for caregivers and their families. Clearly written and concise, Caregiving in Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias offers an easy-to-understand description of what one has to do to be an effective caregiver. Pfeiffer consistently distills complex information and presents it in a straightforward way, from his succinct description of the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease, to discussing the rewards and challenges of caring for someone with dementia. To help illustrate the concept explored in each chapter, Pfeiffer shares stories of people who have cared for loved ones with dementia, which also serve to remind the reader of the human aspects of the disease. Also, Pfeiffer manages to effectively weave practical advice, such as how to converse with an Alzheimer’s patient when she or he forgets words, with suggestions that are more philosophical in nature, like how to psychologically deal with the reversal of roles when one is caring for a parent with dementia. Overall, Caregiving in Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias is a thorough, accessible text that is sure to benefit all individuals caring for a loved one with dementia.