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Surviving Alzheimer's: Practical Tips and Soul-Saving Wisdom for Caregivers
The book recommended by dementia experts and family caregivers as the most complete, practical guide to Alzheimer's and other dementias-now updated and expanded through end-of-life care.
This new edition of Surviving Alzheimer's offers the best, most current thinking on how to help a loved one with memory loss and related symptoms without sacrificing YOU. You'll learn:
What's behind odd, frustrating behaviors like repetition, wandering, personality changes, bathing resistance, and aggression-and what you can do
How to defuse resentment, guilt, and family friction
What to say for better communication and more cooperation
Special advice for spouses, out-of-town caregivers, and other specific situations
100s of confidence-raising solutions from top doctors, social workers, dementia specialists, and family caregivers All in a fast, scannable format perfect for busy or overwhelmed dementia helpers.
This new edition of Surviving Alzheimer's offers the best, most current thinking on how to help a loved one with memory loss and related symptoms without sacrificing YOU. You'll learn:
What's behind odd, frustrating behaviors like repetition, wandering, personality changes, bathing resistance, and aggression-and what you can do
How to defuse resentment, guilt, and family friction
What to say for better communication and more cooperation
Special advice for spouses, out-of-town caregivers, and other specific situations
100s of confidence-raising solutions from top doctors, social workers, dementia specialists, and family caregivers All in a fast, scannable format perfect for busy or overwhelmed dementia helpers.
400 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 11, 2024
Here is the manual for the Alzheimer's caregiver.
True to its claim, Surviving Alzheimer's is packed with tips and wisdoms to apply to the everyday struggle of contending with the compromised thinking and behavior that afflicts those suffering with Alzheimer's disease. Communication has skirted off its highway here; words are lost, intentions muddled, frustrations mount. Negotiation depends upon a mutual understanding that is increasingly difficult to achieve. Paula Spencer Scott, a journalist and creator of the website Caring.com, has canvassed a multitude of experts (both professional and non-) and compiled their knowledge in short, tremendously accessible passages that nail down the whys and what-to-dos inside such exhausting interactions.
While a solid overview of the disease is provided, the bulk of the book is devoted to common dilemmas in areas that include paranoia, forgetfulness, shadowing, hoarding, sundowning, and the more basic difficulties sometimes found in activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and off-kilter sleep cycles. Scott, who has had four close family members who've suffered from dementia, brings great understanding to her text and practical solutions where they exist, along with suggestions to try where they don't. Additionally, she addresses a host of questions that are often uncomfortable to ask. It's hard to imagine there could possibly be a more thorough effort to assist the brave and blessed soul who has taken up this challenge in caring.
This is an impressive book, and one that is sure to be well-worn by usage over time.
True to its claim, Surviving Alzheimer's is packed with tips and wisdoms to apply to the everyday struggle of contending with the compromised thinking and behavior that afflicts those suffering with Alzheimer's disease. Communication has skirted off its highway here; words are lost, intentions muddled, frustrations mount. Negotiation depends upon a mutual understanding that is increasingly difficult to achieve. Paula Spencer Scott, a journalist and creator of the website Caring.com, has canvassed a multitude of experts (both professional and non-) and compiled their knowledge in short, tremendously accessible passages that nail down the whys and what-to-dos inside such exhausting interactions.
While a solid overview of the disease is provided, the bulk of the book is devoted to common dilemmas in areas that include paranoia, forgetfulness, shadowing, hoarding, sundowning, and the more basic difficulties sometimes found in activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and off-kilter sleep cycles. Scott, who has had four close family members who've suffered from dementia, brings great understanding to her text and practical solutions where they exist, along with suggestions to try where they don't. Additionally, she addresses a host of questions that are often uncomfortable to ask. It's hard to imagine there could possibly be a more thorough effort to assist the brave and blessed soul who has taken up this challenge in caring.
This is an impressive book, and one that is sure to be well-worn by usage over time.
June 25, 2019
This is an excellent resource for anyone dealing with Alzheimer’s. You don’t need to read it cover to cover but you can simply look at the table of contents for a particular issue or situation and read the 2-4 page chapter about it. Lots of clear insight and helpful advice. Highly recommended.
May 22, 2022
As a carer for my Dad I know how difficult both physically and emotionally dementia can be for both the person who has it and close family particularly those who are carers day to day.
During a particularly difficult time I was trying to do a bit of reading to see how others coped with different situations. It was then that I bought this book Surviving Alzheimers and I have to say it was excellent, the best book I have come across in this area. To this day it still sits on my desk and I dip in to it from time to time just as a reminder of things it is easy to forget when things get a bit stressful or when new symptoms/behaviours appear.
First class layout that lets you either read through it in order or dip into certain sections particularly relevant to the reader.
During a particularly difficult time I was trying to do a bit of reading to see how others coped with different situations. It was then that I bought this book Surviving Alzheimers and I have to say it was excellent, the best book I have come across in this area. To this day it still sits on my desk and I dip in to it from time to time just as a reminder of things it is easy to forget when things get a bit stressful or when new symptoms/behaviours appear.
First class layout that lets you either read through it in order or dip into certain sections particularly relevant to the reader.
March 5, 2026
This relates to the expanded 2nd edition paperback 2018, includes list of resources.
What great guidance for families trying to help those with Alzheimer's or dementia disease. Practical ideas, insightful personal stories and constant reminders that caregivers or carepartners must remember to take care of themselves to be the best kind of help for their loved ones. From an early diagnosis through the trials and frustrations to the end result, suggestions are made to process the information and changes that may happen.
Author Paula Scott's family's experience with five close members with dementia makes this a truly "she walked the talk" helpful book that would be a gift to any person or family dealing with a loved one with dementia.
What great guidance for families trying to help those with Alzheimer's or dementia disease. Practical ideas, insightful personal stories and constant reminders that caregivers or carepartners must remember to take care of themselves to be the best kind of help for their loved ones. From an early diagnosis through the trials and frustrations to the end result, suggestions are made to process the information and changes that may happen.
Author Paula Scott's family's experience with five close members with dementia makes this a truly "she walked the talk" helpful book that would be a gift to any person or family dealing with a loved one with dementia.
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August 16, 2024Early in this journey, my friend Barb Jackson recommended The 36-Hour Day. It was comprehensive and helped a lot at that point.
Just by accident, I found this book on the shelves of the public library, and it's wonderful.
"...uncredentialled but often equally knowing hands-on caregivers" -- I'm so thankful to Choice Care Your Way for Michelle and Triss and Linda and to Shirley's Angels for Amber and Andy. And so it goes....
A good thing to say to someone when you don't understand: "Tell me more about that."
So much to learn -- both for me and for the medical community!
Just by accident, I found this book on the shelves of the public library, and it's wonderful.
"...uncredentialled but often equally knowing hands-on caregivers" -- I'm so thankful to Choice Care Your Way for Michelle and Triss and Linda and to Shirley's Angels for Amber and Andy. And so it goes....
A good thing to say to someone when you don't understand: "Tell me more about that."
So much to learn -- both for me and for the medical community!
October 28, 2021
The content of this book could have been summarized in a lengthy article. Repetitive ideas and a blog format with anecdotal stories that becomes tiring rather than helpful. Some scientific references would also have been important. Add to that the extensive use of bold fonts and the fact that several pages came off during their first reading and you get the overall feeling.
February 24, 2020
This book helped my family better understand how to support my mother-in-law. It includes sage advice and helpful tips for caregivers impacted by dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It's super easy to read and well written.
February 5, 2021
Great information
This book is a great compilation of all the other books I have read about Alzheimer’s. It not only let me know here we were in the process, but where we are going.
This book is a great compilation of all the other books I have read about Alzheimer’s. It not only let me know here we were in the process, but where we are going.
May 9, 2018
Read it as a resource book for the story I'm working on. Wish I'd read it when my grandmother was alive. I would have understood so much more about dementia.
May 25, 2019
I bought this book for a support group I was running and then started dealing with it with my own mom. It is a great book for any form of dementia and gives lots of practical advice.
July 23, 2024
I read this twice: once for the nurse perspective, and once as the daughter and primary caregiver of a mother with dementia. It’s very helpful for both perspectives.
November 7, 2024
My Bible. This helps a lot. Mainly my own sanity. Good reference to have around.
May 3, 2025
One of the best books you can read as a caregiver no matter where how far along your person is in the disease. There are so many helpful tips. It's still the one book you hope you never have read.
July 9, 2016
Life saving tips for care partners
This well designed, researched and personally tested series of tips has provided me with much hope and solace. Watching my beloved husband trudge this path often feels harder than trudging my own MS life which complicates care partnering.
This well designed, researched and personally tested series of tips has provided me with much hope and solace. Watching my beloved husband trudge this path often feels harder than trudging my own MS life which complicates care partnering.
August 25, 2015
Compassionate, practical, helpful advice.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews