Alzheimer's Early Stages: First Steps for Family, Friends and Caregivers, 2nd Edition

by Daniel Kuhn

Book Overview

If someone you love has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, you may not know where to turn. The early stages can be the most difficult time for relatives and friends because they often don't know much about the disease, or how they can be of help. This compassionate and practical book fills the information gap. It is divided into sections on how Alzheimer's begins, how to help a loved one with the disease, and how families and caregivers can help themselves...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0897933974
• ISBN13: 9780897933971
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Hunter House Publishers
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Best Road Map for Families

I wish this book had been available when I started the caregiving journey with my parents, both with (mis-diagnosed) early stage Alzheimer's disease. I had to learn everything the hard way. Knowledge is power and this book will explain all the details your doctor doesn't have time to tell you. If you know anyone starting down this path with elderly loved ones, this is a book they will thank you for.I also interviewed Mr. Kuhn on my radio program, "Coping With Caregiving" (wsRadio.com) and was impressed further by his vast knowledge and by the way he explained Alzheimer's early stage, which is so easily overlooked by families as well as physicians.Jacqueline Marcell, Author of "Elder Rage, or Take My Father...Please! How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents."

Still the leading book in the field

When the first edition of this book appeared in late 1999, it became the antidote for the scary books about Alzheimer's disease that have dominated the literature since the 1980s. By focusing on the early stages of the disease, Kuhn provides the right dose of help and hope to those struggling to come to terms with the myriad changes in roles and responsibilities of all concerned. The second edition provides updated information while leaving intact positive messages about living with Alzheimer's and not merely surviving through it. A new chapter gives voice to experienced family members who share valuable lessons. This book provides accurate information about the disease and useful tips that enable family members, friends and interested professionals to cope with someone's memory loss and other thinking problems. It's the one book that should be read by all starting down this difficult road. And doctors should be writing down this title on a prescription pad!

Just what I needed

This book covered all the issues I'm facing, both as a son of an reciently diagnoised dad, and as a legal agent for another family member with Alzheimer's. This has been by far the best book I've found on the practical matters that must be addressed early on (i.e. driving, finances, and care choices). For now, this is my reference book. I'd strongly suggest starting with this book if Alzheimer's has entered your family or close circle of friends.

A well-informed, practical, positive resource

A readable, well-informed, and wide-ranging exploration of Alzheimer's--really an excellent resource. I'm an ombudsman volunteer and needed to learn more about this disease, and especially wanted something that wasn't all gloom and doom. Caregivers in particular should find this book useful. It provides up-to-date information on how the disease "behaves," and then devotes several chapters to considering how the best possible care can be provided for persons with early stages of Alzheimer's. If their needs for intimacy, community, and meaningful activity are met, the author says, the person with Alzheimer's can be relatively happy. There are chapters on what it's like for the person who has the disease, ways to improve communication, appropriate activities, planning for future care, and caring for the caregiver, among other topics. Throughout there's enough detail to be useful, but not so much that you feel overwhelmed. There are many practical suggestions, informed by compassion and professional expertise. There's also a helpful list of resources at the back, along with citations to resources in the professional literature. Overall, an excellent contribution for those of us looking for better ways to think about and respond to the Alzheimer's challenge.

Wonderful resource

After going through this process for almost 18 years with my father and now starting over with a sister just over 50, I find this book to be a great resource for our family. Things are different now than with my father, Alzheimer's is not that awful word that you were afraid to say. It is nice to know that people like Dan understand and is able to put his knowledge into words to help others. Thanks Dan.