An Unintended Journey

by Janet Yagoda Shagam

*New Edition with Updated dementia, dementia care, and resource information.* According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are more than six million people living in the United States have Alzheimer's disease or some other form of dementia. Not reported in these statistics are the sixteen million family caregivers who, in total, contribute nineteen billion hours of unpaid care each year. This book addresses the needs and challenges faced by adult children and other family members who are scrambling to make sense of what is happening to themselves and the loved ones in their care. The author, an experienced medical and science writer known for her ability to clearly explain complex and emotionally sensitive topics, is also a former family caregiver herself. Using both personal narrative and well-researched, expert-verified content, she guides readers through the often-confusing and challenging world of dementia care. She carefully escorts caregivers through the basics of dementia as a brain disorder, its accompanying behaviors, the procedures used to diagnose and stage the disease, and the legal aspects of providing care for an adult who is no longer competent. She also covers topics not usually included in other books on family dynamics, caregiver burnout, elder abuse, incontinence, finances and paying for care, the challenges same-sex families face, and coping with the eventuality of death and estate management. Each chapter begins with a real-life vignette taken from the author's personal experience and concludes with "Frequently Asked Questions" and "Worksheets" sections. The FAQs tackle specific issues and situations that often make caregiving such a challenge. The worksheets are a tool to help readers organize, evaluate, and self-reflect. A glossary of terms, an appendix, and references for further reading give readers a command of the vocabulary clinicians use and access to valuable resources.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

434 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2013

Reviews

[Zosia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent step-by-step guide for caring for a parent (or anyone) with dementia. Part memoir, but the memoir is in service of the guide and feels universal. I'd recommend reading before you're in this type of situation!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have now read three dementia caregiving books which I gave four stars to. This, by far, was the very best, warranting a full five stars. Practical, detailed, informative. I highly recommend it if you are a caregiver of someone with dementia.

[cbalexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept Me Sane

As the caretaker for a recently diagnosed lewy body dementia patient, I felt that I was failing on so many levels and had such little information. This book pointed out that there were some things I did well, things I can improve on, and overall whatever we do it's what's best for us and ours. If you feel alone in the world of dementia, this book is for you and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good info. American orientated.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of information and helpful tips in this guide.

[Christina Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book which I would recommend to anyone facing dementia in the family. The author blends personal anecdote with comprehensive, soup-to-nuts discussion. What is the disease and how is it diagnosed?; stages of the disease; caregiving challenges, tips, and options; drugs; legal issues; how to handle home caregivers as well as memory care facilities; hospice and death.

Extremely useful.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good on so many levels for me having been through this journey with my own mother the past couple years. I wish I had known about it at the beginning of her illness. It would have helped me to know what and when to what needed to be done. I think it should be a suggested resource to anyone who has a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia. I'm going to ask my children to read it at the first sign of changing behavior on my part!

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of very good information for anyone trying to deal with dementia and its labyrinth of problems. This was written from the prospective of caring for a parent so it did not address several issues I had hoped to find but still, a very useful piece of work.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book about loving/caring for someone with dementia, understanding it's quirks, tips on how to react and redirect. Highly recommend.