Written by a hands-on 10-year caregiver, "When the Doctor Says, 'Alzheimer's'" is the ultimate easy-to-understand, caregiver-to-caregiver guide to caring for someone with Alzheimer's and/or dementia.
"Alzheimer's Surgery"- a must read is a powerful and educational portrait of an ordinary man who gets Alzheimer's and how it affects him and those who love him.
Both available through Amazon.com and all other Internet booksellers, or through the computer at all book stores.

I'm bringing this back up to the forefront. Please take advantage of books out there that can help understand what your LO is going through.

I think every home should have a copy of If It's Ever Me.

Mae I posted it on the general forum. I don't wanto take up too much space but maybe others might want to read it too.

Thank you Mae. I lot of people have printed that out and hung it in their loved ones room or given it to their children. My dad and his only full sibling both have/had it. I also have a cousin with EOAD. She is 57 and living in a nursing home. I totally mean every word of "If Ever It's Me." Thanks for your kind words.

Deborah, I went to the book site and read If It Should Happen to Me.Wow, brought tears.I am sure the book is good writing that will assist others in all aspects of careing for a loved one.Always better when it comes from hands on experiences

I hope it is okay to tell you about my book. If not...sorry
My book is called Into the Mist, When Someone You Love Has Alzheimer's Disease. It was co-written by Dr. Anne Lindsay, a psychologist and there are chapters by a Geriatric case manager (info on Medicare/Medicaid etc.) an Alzheimer's research scientist, and the personal stories of three Alzheimer's families. One of those families is mine.
My website is www.intothemist.us

I found this on line book for caregivers that has some good tips for new caregivers.

www.healthinaging.org/public_education/eldercare

DOCHKA, it is amazing how certain items and colors are a distraction to some with dementia.Because my mother had severe hallucination she viewd things as being a threat to her.Anything that cast a shadow had to be removed.All the things that once brought her great pleasure had a negative affect.I removed every single thing from her room.It could not longer be the place she would go to relax and be by her self.It became her prison and she was going to destroy everything that represented that feeling.It was so far removed from the mother I knew.They just cannot understand the consequences to them selves when they are agitated and become so angry and act out.They view it as self preservation.Protecting them selves and their belongings.

Today's Senior magazine is available at todayssr.com. I write a monthly AD column and this month is my article about the tragedy at the Santa Monica Farmers Market and driving.

My personal favorite book is:
LEARNING TO SPEAK ALZHEIMER'S
by Joanne Koenig Coste.
Especially the part when she speaks about
"living in the patients world" mentally. It's almost like code to try to understand "their" world, which is Sooooo different from "our" world. Instead of trying to make them conform to us, the goal truly is to conform to them while they are in this disease of the mind.


Also,"make the environment work" physically.

Like colors and patterns that affect them visually and create more confusion.
Mama now has a solid color quilt on her bed and limited knick knacks around her rooms. Also alot of pictures have come off the walls to create a calmer environment for her.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DOCHKA,