Alzheimer's Early Stages: First Steps for Family, Friends, and Caregivers » (Completely Updated)

This edition includes the latest information on Alzheimer’s risk factors, treatments, and prevention, as well as a new chapter, “Voices of Experience,” composed of reflections by family members. It also provides information about new drugs approved since 1999 and the federal government’s decision to cover counseling and other health-related services through Medicare.

Library Journal

First published in 1999, this valuable guide by the education director of the Mather Institute on Aging (Evanston, IL) remains one of the few books devoted solely to the early stages of the disease. Updated chapters cover the importance of getting a diagnosis, risk factors (including the role of depression), early symptoms, treatment and prevention, and information on physical health, safety concerns, caring for the caregiver, and financial and end-of-life planning-all illustrated with brief, first-person narratives. Of special interest are chapters on relationships, including telling others about the diagnosis, and the fully revised section on current available treatments. New to this edition is a chapter detailing family experiences with memory impairment, which Kuhn compiled from a survey of 1400 caregivers. Intelligently written with numerous references to professional and consumer literature, this book is an excellent choice for Alzheimer's and consumer health collections. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.