The Emotional Journey of the Alzheimer's Family

By Robert B. Santulli and Kesstan Blandin

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing public health crisis. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are 5.4 million victims of this disease; by 2050, there will be close to 15 million people who suffer from this debilitating disorder of memory, thinking, personality, and functioning. The disease profoundly affects immediate family members, close friends, and neighbors. These people—the Alzheimer’s family—undergo tremendous psychological and emotional change as they witness the cruel and relentless progression of the disease in their loved one. Incorporating over thirty years of experience with Alzheimer’s patients and their families with current medical knowledge, the authors chart the complex emotional journey of the Alzheimer’s family from the onset of the disease through the death of the loved one. They discuss the anger that rises in the face of discordant views of the disease, the defenses that emerge when family members are unwilling to accept a dementia diagnosis, and the common emotions of anxiety, guilt, anger, and shame. They focus especially on grief as the core response to losing a loved one to dementia, and describe the difficult processes of adaptation and acceptance, which lead to personal growth. Final chapters emphasize the importance of establishing a care community and how to understand and cope with personal stress. This volume will be useful to medical professionals and ordinary people close to or caring for a person with dementia.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dartmouth College Press
• Release date: Mar 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781611687453

Book preview

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Reviews for The Emotional Journey of the Alzheimer's Family

[fcclibraryoshkosh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Robert Santulli has written an excellent book on dealling with Alzheimer's disease. It is also good for those dealing with other dementias. His approuch is not too technical but also avoids being emotional. There is practical advice as well as case studies. "The Emotional Journey of the Alzheimer's Family" needs to be read by those dealing with this difficult times.

[wearylibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wish this book was available when we were going through our own emotional Alzheimer's journey with mom. The book is filled with insight into what really happens, what to expect, and how to handle the emotional stress the family faces as they travel through the long and lonely journey of Alzheimer's Disease. Reading the book, which is filled with examples of families that suffered as we did, I could say "That sounds just like us." I'm sure this book will help as we go through the same journey with my sister.

[editfish_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an extremely well-written and compassionate book on Alzheimer's, and is accessible for practitioners, friends, caretakers, and families alike to understand the creeping and devastating impact--both personal and collateral--that this disease has on so many lives. Essential reading for those who are either going through or knows someone who is going through the scouring effects of Alzheimers.

[sherylhendrix · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While not precisely a "self-help" book, this volume details the emotional and psychological experiences that result when a family member goes through the lengthy and inevitable deterioration that follows the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or similar dementia. I expected that the book would list any number of helpful strategies for coping with an Alzheimer's diagnosis, but found rather that it was descriptive in content. This is not to denigrate the value of the book. I learned some important things about Alzheimer's, about the difference between grief and depression, and about the commonality of emotions that touch most persons tasked with caregiving in this situation. A good basic introduction to the "feelings" that touch the caregivers as they journey through Alzheimer's with the patients.

[aumbre-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was very disappointed in the book. The scenarios were quite similar, if not sometimes the same, as scenarios I had read previously in other Alzheimer's books. Interesting, but not much help for the family going thru the pain of Alzheimer's. In my opinion, there are much better books available.

[mookiekat · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Emotional Journey of the Alzheimer's Family by Santulli & Blandin is the most informative book I have read regarding Alzheimer's and dementia. After dealing first-hand with a loved one with dementia I found the information extremely helpful. This book not only describes the disease but goes into great length to give examples of situations in which a person might be going through. It also gives very helpful tips on how to help those with the disease and also the caregiver. I found that reading this book made me feel as if someone finally understood what I was going through. As if I had someone who could walk me through the tough times. I only wish I would have had this book while I was caring for my loved one with dementia. I believe it would have made life a whole lot easier on us both. I recommend this book not only for those who are caring for someone with the disease but also for doctors and therapists who help care for the caregivers and their loved ones. The more we understand what happens during this scary time the smoother and more joyful the process can become.