Synopses & Reviews
The Harsh Realities of Alzheimer's Care: An Insider's View of How People with Dementia Are Treated in InstitutionS≪/i> is the first book of its kind. Written by an eminent geriatric psychiatrist who has worked with dementia patients in more than 70 facilities, the book distills all he has learned about dementia care, for better and, more often, for worse.
Both a shocking exposé and a practical guide, the book takes readers into nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals. It reveals the inadequacies and dangers of these institutions, detailing issues that result in poor care including federal standards for minimum staff training that are, in some cases, lower than those established for dog groomers. The author cites improvements that must be made in emergency rooms and inpatient psychiatric facilities treating victims of dementia, and he documents the downside of memory clinics.
But there are steps caregivers can take to protect their loved ones—and themselves. Each chapter concludes with "reality lessons" that offer practical, affordable strategies for coping with dementia's many challenges.
Synopsis
A prominent geriatric psychiatrist details the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of places where those with dementia are treated—from emergency rooms and psychiatric hospitals to assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
Synopsis
• Provides caregivers with the first book about Alzheimer's to focus on what happens inside institutions that serve people with dementia
• Challenges myths and misunderstandings about dementia care in nursing homes
• Shares ideas for coping with the challenges of Alzheimer's
• Explains how to advocate for a loved one, describing the use of health care proxies and the legal system to protect dementia patients from financial exploitation and undue influence
• Discusses what remains to be learned about Alzheimer's disease, its causes, and risk factors
Synopsis
• Vignettes and experiences from author's practice illustrate strategies that will improve quality of life for caregivers and their loved ones