Coping with Dementia: Stories & Ideas for Family & Caregivers

Caring for a friend or loved one with dementia is a daunting task. How do you handle the change in personality, the shifting of roles, and the ever-changing symptoms? The difficulties begin when the first signs of dementia appear. Is this actually dementia? Could it be a treatable medical condition instead? How do you tell the difference? And if it IS dementia, what type? Is there treatment? What does the future hold? How do you deal with a disease that seems to come and go, at least in the beginning? How do you cope with the stress--yours AND the patient's? Answers are hard to come by, but in this book, Janet Metzinger and co-author Myra Levine share stories and advice from caregivers who have traveled this difficult road. Janet, a retired Financial Advisor, also shares steps that helped her clients manage the practical aspects of care, including ideas about legal and medical paperwork and estate planning. You'll learn the kinds of issues to explore with your own attorneys, doctors, and financial experts. This book was inspired by Janet's experiences in caring for her friend, the late Dr. Karol Kahrs, a leading figure in women's athletics Dr. Kahrs, a leading figure at the University of Illinois, helped implement Title IX, which furthered the cause of equality for women athletes. At the end of her life, she suffered from both Lewy Body Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. You'll find this book packed with helpful tips and ideas, easy to read, and uplifting.