Alzheimer’S Abc

By Dr. Sherry L. Meinberg

This book provides an umbrella approach to the subject. This overview pinpoints many conditions that those with the disease must deal with on a daily basis. It provides tips for family members, caregivers, neighbors, and friends. The information provided is meant to inspire communication between all loved oneschildren and adults. It broadens awareness, understanding, and empathy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524648411

Dr. Sherry L. Meinberg

Dr. Meinberg spent 50 years as an educator, half in inner-city schools. Many of her experiences would curl your hair, and many aren’t even believed! She has written 18 books, so far, and has been honored with over 100 awards. Oddly, adult fans like to talk about her children’s books—The Cockroach Invasion and A Squirm of Worms—saying how fun they were, and how much they learned. Then they would end up asking, “Did the incidents really happen?” The answer for all three of these books, is an emphatic, “YES!”

Book preview

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2016 Dr. Sherry L. Meinberg. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/29/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-4840-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-4841-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016918579

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

14343.png

DISCLAIMER

The information in this book is presented to raise awareness and understanding, and is neither intended to diagnose Alzheimer’s, nor serve as a substitute for informed medical advice or care. Please contact your health professional for medical advice and treatment. Neither the author nor publisher of this book can be held liable by any person for any loss or damage which may arise from the use of this book, or any of the information therein. Use the tips that make sense to you, and disregard those that don’t appeal. Consider the practicality involved. Determine what works for you.

DEDICATION

Dedicated to all caregivers

—family, friends, and staff—

who do such an heroic job of

unconditional loving,

supporting, advocating, and navigating

the patient

through the Alzheimer’s process.

A is for Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is a condition that affects the brain. It is a disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills (reasoning, planning, and carrying out goals). It usually starts slowly, and gets worse over time, as those with Alzheimer’s are never quite sure who they are becoming, or where they are going. In the beginning, the symptoms are hardly noticeable, with family and friends considering unusual behaviors as normal senior moments. (Oddly, the earlier you get Alzheimer’s, the faster it progresses, and the longer you must deal with it. However, early detection is important, as medication can slow down its progress.) Those with Alzheimer’s live in a confused state of blank periods, with a sense of unease and a lack of control. Anger, bewilderment, and passivity becomes obvious. Their level of alertness seems to wax and wane. They can be wide awake one minute, and appear unresponsive the next. Although there are seven overall stages to the disease, the three major stages move from early (mild), to middle (moderate), to late (severe). Over 5.3 million Americans have the Alzheimer’s disease, and over 115 million around the world. It is a massive problem. Know that you are not alone. But because everyone is unique, everyone will experience the disease somewhat differently. This is not a one-size-fits-all disease.

REMEMBER: Your job is to keep the patient—your loved one—healthy and happy. Understand that the disease is causing the changes.

ThinkstockPhotos-137517288.tif

Why doesn’t granddad play catch with me anymore?

Why does grandmother call me Louise? My name is Brenda.

Mom didn’t pick me up from school again. How can she forget me? Doesn’t she like me anymore?

TIPS:

*Emotionally, the hardest thing for family members to accept is the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Not only will the patient’s future dramatically change, but the whole family’s will be altered, as well. It is a major adjustment for