Part I: What Is Alzheimer's Disease?
The Need for an Accurate Diagnosis What Is Normal in the Aging Brain? How Alzheimer's Disease Changes the Brain
What Research Says About Its Origins Getting an Accurate Diagnosis The Value of a Diagnosis
Symptoms of the Early Stages of Alzheimer's Disease What Is Recent Memory?
Beginning Signs An Emerging Pattern Other Troubling Symptoms One or More Symptoms Sometimes Present
Mood and Behavioral Changes
Progress in Treatment and Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease
Current Medical Treatments Progress in Treatment and Prevention
Participating in Clinical Drug Trials and Other Studies
Alternative Therapies What Do Risk Factors Tell Us?
Physical Exercise Brain Games Diet and Supplements
Balancing Activity and Relaxation
What Is It Like to Have Alzheimer's Disease?
Common Experiences and Feelings
Varying Degrees of Awareness of Symptoms
The Importance of One's Social Environment
What Some Family Members Have to Say
How Relationships, Roles, and Responsibilities Change
Stepping into the Leadership Role
Telling Others About the Diagnosis Involving Others in Care
Making Practical Decisions
Ensuring Safety on the Road Maintaining Good Health
Ensuring Financial Well-Being
Alternative Living Situations for the Person with AD
Communication Difficulties
Redefining Your Relationship
Ways of Listening and Talking with a Person with AD
Helping a Person with AD to Plan for the Future
Finding the Time Legal Considerations
Financing the Cost of Care
Rethinking the Living Situation Finding the Right Professionals
Keeping a Person with AD Active, Happy, and Healthy
The Elements of Well-Being
Selecting Appropriate Activities
Traveling Participating in Social Events
Spiritual and Religious Practices
Being Around Pets and Plants
Part III: Caring for Yourself
Self-Renewal for Family and Friends
Listening to Your Body and Mind
The Importance of Grief Work
Individual and Family Counseling Exploring Spiritual Resources Keeping a Journal
Maintaining a Sense of Humor
Obtaining the Help You May Need
Using Community Resources
Participating in a Support Group
Using Help at Home Choosing an Adult Day Center
Epilogue: Advocating for Change
The Politics of Health Care
Our Aging Society and Youth Culture
AD Research Centers in the United States Funded by the National Institute on Aging
Print and Video Resources