The Stranger You Love: A Comprehensive Guide to Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's Disease or Other Dementias

Whether you’ve just learned about a loved one’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, or you’re a long-time caregiver, if you’re looking for a trustworthy, comprehensive resource to help you cope, feel less overwhelmed, and improve your skills and confidence as a caregiver then this is the book for you.

In this book we show you the most effective strategies for coping with the ever-changing challenges of caregiving for the person with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

Written by authors who “get” what you’re going through, it covers everything you need to know with warmth, attention to detail, and clarity, and offers all the information required to provide skilled care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia.

You will be better prepared to handle the disconcerting and disorientating behavior of the person in your care. You will know what to do and what to expect when facing day-to-day and longer-term problems. You’ll be less likely to find yourself frustrated, bewildered, or at a loss.

This book will walk you through a unique caregiving approach grounded in empathy, dignity and understanding. It will provide you the knowledge and tools you need to care with confidence and compassion.

It will improve your life as a caregiver as well as that of the person in your care

In the book, you’ll learn:

• About Alzheimer’s disease and what to expect as it progresses
• Practical aspects of caring for most situations you will encounter
• Hundreds of tips for everyday caregiving
• How to respond productively and helpfully to behaviors
• How to keep the home safe to prevent accidents
• How to find the right medical professionals
• About the alternatives to homecare, such as adult daycare centers and long-term care
• How to choose an alternative-care or long-term care facility
• Detailed information about the legal and financial must-knows that you can’t afford to ignore.
• The financial aspects including tips for paying for long-term care, government programs, tax breaks, and other resources for financial help
• The legal and ethical aspects of caregiving, what to do when the person is no longer capable of communicating his or her wishes, including medical decision-making, living wills, durable medical power of attorney, Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders, financial management and estate planning, durable power of attorney for finances, and a living trust and guardianship
• Where to get help, including tips on getting referrals for medical care, finding support groups, and how to get the most out of online searches.
• Links to hundreds of helpful websites
• What to do when hospitalization is required
• About the medications used to treat Alzheimer’s disease
• How to help children adjust
• And much, much more

This book is unique. It includes contributions by Bernard Isaacs, MD, one of the most respected and influential figures in the field of geriatric medicine (honored by Queen Elizabeth 2nd in recognition of his immense contributions to the well-being of the elderly). The book is fully up to date (2022), co-authored by experienced health policy researcher Renée Despres PhD, MPH, a leading health journalist and health policy researcher, who has authored more than 500 articles for national and international print, online, and radio publications, Dr.Guy Slowik, Editor in Chief, YourMedicalSource.com and Candice Greenwood MASLH who has worked for neary 20 years in the senior sector. It covers everything you need to know with warmth, objectivity, and clarity.