Main description:

How does a polar bear pooping on a rug turn into a lesson on Alzheimer's behaviors of paranoia and hallucinations?
Or a pregnant aunt turn into a lesson about long-term care decisions?

The innocent dialogue and anecdotes the author has recorded for years between her and her grandchildren serve as introductions - and lessons learned - to managing the daily responsibilities in Alzheimer's care. These poignant stories and insightful perspectives offer a fresh approach in understanding the disease. Thought-provoking, humorous, and endearing, this book will have you experiencing the journey of Alzheimer's disease in a most light-hearted and non-threatening way, so much so that you will hardly realize how much knowledge and how many skills you are acquiring along the way. From understanding the components of the disease, to discovering various ways to communicate, to coping with difficult behavioral expressions; from weaving through all the emotions experienced by the caregiver, to understanding person-centered care, to the importance of social engagement, and much more, this book is a vital and handy resource for anybody affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Contents:

FOREWORD
PREFACE
Chapter 1: A Year of Learning Everything; Years of Losing Everything Learned
Chapter 2: "I Know EVERYTHING, NoNo!"
Getting Educated about the Alzheimer's Disease Journey
Chapter 3: "It's Not A Hamburger Without a Bun"
Getting the Correct Alzheimer's Diagnosis
Chapter 4: "I'm Pretty Good" - The Practice of Caregiving
Chapter 5: "Is That a Horsie in Your Hand?"
Communication and Listening Skills
Chapter 6: "LIAR, LIAR!"
When What They Say Hurts
Chapter 7: "The Polar Bear Poops on the Rug"
Paranoia and Hallucinations
Chapter 8: "You Gotta Sleep With Your Friend"
Alzheimer's Sleep, Sundowning and Wandering Patterns
Chapter 9: "I Don't Take a Bottle"
Agitation and Aggression & Person-centered Alzheimer's Care
Chapter 10: "Let's Dance, YaYa!"
The Importance of Activities for Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease
Chapter 11: "It's Their Business" - Dignity and Respect and the Dining Experience
Chapter 12: And Then There's Collin's little sister, Brynn
The Decision for Long-Term Care
Chapter 13: "You Should Be Spending More Time with Me"
Overcoming Guilt (and other emotions of caregiving
Chapter 14: "Needing a Little Something More"
Respite Care and Alzheimer's
Chapter 15: "Did the Horses Do Something Wrong?" Environment Matters in Alzheimer's Care
Chapter 16: "God Never Prays Back"
Spirituality: God IS "Praying back" with the Individual with Alzheimer's
Chapter 17: "Mommy Will be Back!"
Necessary Attachments and Detaching
Chapter 18: "It Doesn't Work That Way"
There's a Fixer in all of us!
Chapter 19: "There's More to Alabama than Football!"
Looking at the Person with Alzheimer's Disease
Chapter 20: "After Everything I've Done for You..."
A thank-less job
Chapter 21: "A Funeral is a Really Sad Party!"
The dual experiences of Alzheimer's disease and death
Chapter 22: "THIS IS ME!" - The Greatest Showmen are
Individuals & Caregivers affected by Alzheimer's Disease
Chapter 23: "You Gotta Use Your Brain!"
Reducing the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Chapter 24: "Life is Unfair!" - The Injustices of Alzheimer's disease
Chapter 25: "What's Next, Daddy?"
The Future of Alzheimer's disease
Epilogue