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Alzheimer's Book Titles and Other Publications

 
 Your local library may carry some of the following titles. Additionally, more recent publications dealing with some of the same material are available at BrightFocus Foundation (Alzheimer's Disease Publications).

Alzheimer's: A Caregiver's Guide and Sourcebook

by Howard Gruetzner New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1992. Guide to a better understanding of the physiological and psychological characteristics of the disease, of the progressive stages of the disease, and of ways to cope with the demands of caring for an Alzheimer's patient.

The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who have Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementias, and Memory Loss

by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins, Grand Central Life & Style; 5 edition, 2012. In print for thirty years, this book has been revised and updated and addresses the latest information, including: the causes of demention, prevention and management of the disease, and appropriate living arrangements.

Caring for an Alzheimer's Patient: A Family Guide

American Health Assistance Foundation. 1994, revised 1998. This 34-page booklet discusses the issues involved in caring for an Alzheimer's patient, including family involvement, tips for creating a safe home environment, and support groups and respite care options for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.

The Hardest Choice: Selecting a Nursing Home for an Alzheimer's Patient

American Health Assistance Foundation, 1994. This 21-page booklet gives family members of Alzheimer's patients an initial overview of the process and issues to consider when choosing a nursing home for their loved one. To order, call 1-800-437-2423.

How to Care for Your Parents: A Handbook for Adult Children

by Nora Jean Levin, W. W. NOrton & Cmopany, 4 edition, 1997. This handbook provides definitions, facts, and useful tips concerning choices and support services.

The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers: Looking After Yourself and Your Family While Helping an Aging Parent

by Barry J. Jacobs, PsyD, The Guilford Press, 1 edition 2006. Caregiving takes a toll on the person providing care, even when the care is given willingly. This book is intended to help families "avoid burnout and preserve bonds," as well as work through feelings of grief, guilt, and stress, while caring for aging parents.

Learning to Speak Alzheimer's: A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease

by Joanne Koenig Coste, Mariner Books, 2004. Written by a woman whose husband suffered significant and continuing memory loss and paralysis following a stroke, this book describes the approach she took to keeping him home rather than sending him to an institution. The author's methods are adaptable to the care of individuals suffering from dementia, as well, including Alzheimer's Disease.

There's Still a Person in There: The Complete Guide to Treating and Coping with Alzheimer's

by Michael Castleman, Dolores Gallagher-Thompson, and Matthew Naythons New York, NY: The Putnam Publishing Group, 2000. A comprensive guide to the care and possible prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Written for cargivers and anyone else who has been touched by Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's Disease: Legal and Financial Facts You Should Know

American Health Assistance Foundation, 1994, revised 1998. This 18-page booklet gives an overview of the legal and financial issues Alzheimer's patients and their families will face as the disease progresses. The booklet offers information on Medicare, Medicaid, supplementary insurance and other topics as they pertain to Alzheimer's patients. To order, call 1-800-437-2423.

Before You Buy: A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance

Washington, D.C.: American Association of Retired Persons. 1994. This brochure is designed to help the consumer understand how the costs of long-term care are paid, the benefits and limitations of Medicaid's coverage of long-term care, and what private long-term care insurance options exist. It answers questions about who needs long-term care insurance and highlights features of policies. It also includes worksheets that help consumers assess their need for long-term care insurance, and determine what services are available to them at what cost. Available free of charge by calling (202) 434-2277 in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, or 1-800-424-3410 outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Making Medicare Choices

Publication D-16747 This booklet provides information about comparing Medicare options, including traditional Medicare, managed care, and other health plans, to help in your decision process.

Medicare Basics

Publication D-16812 This booklet provides basic information about Medicare, and will help you understand what services you're entitled to receive.

Selecting Medicare Supplemental Insurance

Publication D-16183 This booklet is designed for people who have traditional Medicare and want to learn more and make educated decisions about how to cover their health care costs with Medigap insurance.

Your Medicare Rights

This booklet provides information to help you understand your rights as a Medicare recipient to that you can obtain the health care that you need.

Alzheimer's Disease: The ABC's of Diagnosis

American Health Assistance Foundation, 1994. This 18-page booklet outlines the process and problems involved in making a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease (the disease cannot be diagnosed with 100% accuracy until an autopsy is performed). It also discusses what to do once a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease has been made. To order call 1-800-437-2423.

Fading Memories: An Adolescent's Guide to Alzheimer's Disease

American Health Assistance Foundation, 1997. This book was written by and for adolescents to help cope with having a loved one with Alzheimer's. To order, call 1-800-437-2423.

Through Tara's Eye's: Helping Children Cope with Alzheimer's Disease

American Health Assistance Foundation, 1995. This 37-page, illustrated book was created to aid in explaining Alzheimer's disease to elementary school children. The story follows the changing relationship between a young girl and her grandmother, who has Alzheimer's disease. At the end of the book there are a variety of activities to be completed interactively with an adult. The book should be read to children by a parent, teacher, guidance counselor or other adult. To order, call 1-800-437-2423.

Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare

Baltimore, MD: Health Care Financing Administration Publications, 1999 Other publications include The Medicare Handbook, Medicare and You, and Medicare and Medicaid. To order call (410) 786-7843.

Understanding Alzheimer's Disease

American Health Assistance Foundation. This six-panel brochure outlines the general stages of Alzheimer's disease and answers some of the most commonly asked questions about the disease. To order, call 1-800-437-2423.

Helping Yourself Help Others

by Rosalynn Carter. Random House, 1994. Many personal stories explain emotions, medical and family issues. Provides resource listings and bibliography.

Honest Answers for the Recently Diagnosed Alzheimer Patient

American Health Assistance Foundation, 1998. This 43-page booklet clearly answers questions that a recently diagnosed Alzheimer's patient would have. Issues concerning the causes and stages of the disease are discussed, as well as treatment options. There are suggestions for how to tell your family about your illness and discussions about the primary caregiver, employment issues, and legal assistance. In addition, there are helpful sections concerning support groups, important web sites, helpful books, and organizations to contact for assistance. To order, call 1-800-437-2423.

The Loss of Self

(Revised Edition) by Donna Cohen, Ph.D. and Carl Eisdorfer, Ph.D., M.D. New York: The New American Library, 1994. Comprehensive book that covers obtaining accurate diagnosis, drugs proven to help in managing Alzheimer's, how to deal with legal and financial issues, choosing a nursing home, and emotional needs of families and patients. Gives examples of how families and patients have coped with Alzheimer's disease.

The Progress Report on Alzheimer's Disease

National Institute of Health, National Institute on Aging. These NIH annual reports summarize recent research and developments in the study of Alzheimer's disease. Published annually. Available from the Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center, P.0. Box 8250, Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250. 1-800-438-4380. For the most up-to-date research findings, check their web site at http://www.alzheimers.org.

What If It's Not Alzheimer's?: A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia (Updated and Revised)

by Lisa Radin, et al., Prometheus Books, revised edition, 2008. Alzheimer's is not the only form of dementia, and this book addresses another form, Frontotemporal Dementia, and its symptoms and care issues. While the information is targeted toward a non-Alzheimer's dementia, there may be information helpful to people suffering with other forms of the disease--suffering from other forms of dementia.

Beat the Nursing Home Trap

by J. Matthews Nob Press, Berkeley, CA 1997. To order call (415) 549-1976 or 1-800-992-6656. This guide provides practical information about understanding, choosing and financing long-term care for the elderly. It describes the options available for long-term care, and includes a special warning about nursing home insurance policies - many often leave patients with Alzheimer's disease without coverage, even when the policy claims it specifically covers the disease.

Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services/Health Care Financing Administration, 1997. Write to them at 6325 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21207. To obtain a copy, write and request publication No. HCFA-02 1 74. Free of charge.

Long-Term Care: A Dollar and Sense Guide

by S.E. Polniaszek and D. Lewis Washington, D.C.: United Seniors Health Cooperative, 1991. This guide helps consumers understand financing options in long-term care and make decisions that best meet their needs. The first section explores ways of planning for long-term care in the home. The second section is about planning for nursing home care. A table showing 1991 changes in Medicare coverage is also included. To order, call (202) 393-6222 or fax (202) 783-0588.

Nursing Home Life: A Guide for Residents and Families

American Association of Retired Persons, 1991. Available from AARP Fulfillment. 601 E Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20049. Publication #D13063. Single copy free. Provides information to consumers as they search for a nursing home, arrange for admission, and adjust to life in the home after admission. Making the decision to seek nursing home care and selecting a home can be a difficult, often emotional, process. The guide discusses how to assess individual needs in choosing a nursing home, the services and staff at a nursing home, and issues of poor care and abuse. An abridged Spanish version of this guide is also available.

The Aging Parent Handbook

Virginia Schomp. Mass Market Paperbacks, 1997.

How to Care for Aging Parents

Virginia Morris. New York: Workman, 1996

A Caregivers Guide to Alzheimer's Disease: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier

by Patricia R. Callone, MA, MRE, et al., Demos Medical Publishing, 1 edition, 2005. This book is intended to help people understand the physical changes in the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers. It also offers tips for coping with the various symptoms and stages of the disease.

Long Distance Caregiving

Angela Heath. American Source Books, 1991. Defines caregiving issues, tips for traveling, finding help in the aging network, legal and financial paperwork, care plans, relocation.

Alzheimer's Home Page What is Alzheimer's Disease?  The Alzheimer's Diagnosis 
What if you have Alzheimer's  Tips for early stage Alzheimer's   The Caregiver
Legal considerations  Financial planning  Beware of fraudulent schemes 
Treatments for Alzheimers  State and National resources  Personal Stories and Support Groups 
Books on Alzheimer's Disease  Tennessee Commission on Aging Website