Many of us are unprepared and confused about how to proceed when our parent begins to suffer the effects of old age. If your parent has been diagnosed with a cognitive illness, 'Supporting Parents with Alzheimer's' will arm you with the knowledge to meet your parentas psychological and physical needs so that he or she can continue to live comfortably and safely, without feeling like a burden.
Notice xiDedication xiiiAuthor's Note xvIntroduction xvii10 Moving Your Parent into Your Home 11. Signs Your Parent Can No Longer Cope on His or Her Own 31.1 Living conditions 31.2 Behavioral signs 41.3 Physical signs 51.4 Financial signs 62. Talk to Your Family First 62.1 Explaining the situation to your children 72.2 Talking with your spouse 72.3 Consider your relationship with your parent 8vi Supporting Parents with Alzheimer's2.4 Work and activity schedules 82.5 Increased living expenses 92.6 Renovations 102.7 Create a backup plan 103. The ""Talk"" with Your Parent 103.1 Enlist a doctor's help 123.2 Contact a therapist or counselor 143.3 Contact the Alzheimer Society 144. Power of Attorney and Health-Care Directives 1420 The Memory Book 171. Introducing the Memory Book to Your Parent 201.1 Finding the right book for your parent 211.2 What to include in the Memory Book 221.3 Making the Memory Book unique 231.4 Helping your parent add to the Memory Book 231.5 Take the Memory Book everywhere your parent goes 242. Help the Person to Manage Triggers 252.1 What causes triggers? 2630 Alzheimer's Planner for Caregivers 291. Building Your Planner 301.1 Behavior and mood swings 311.2 Medical information 311.3 Medicine and allergies 311.4 Finances and insurance policies 321.5 Contact information and special events 331.6 Miscellaneous 342. Stay Organized 34Contents vii40 Adjusting to the New Living Environment 451. Helping Your Parent Sort through His or HerPersonal Items 452. Finding Important Paperwork 483. Preparing Your Home 493.1 Physical disabilities 493.2 Make your home safe 503.3 Be prepared for wandering 513.4 Making adjustments and incorporating house rules 534. Dealing with Elderly Addictions 535. Create Jobs in the Home 546. Include Humor and Love into Your Daily Lives 5550 Who to Contact about the Move 571. Who to Contact 581.1 Mail forward 591.2 Health care 591.3 Birth certificate 601.4 Banks 601.5 Insurance companies 611.6 Pensions 611.7 Tax authority 621.8 Closing accounts 621.9 MedicAlert and Safely Home® 631.10 Preplanned funeral policy 631.11 Friends and family 632. When Your Parent Owns His or Her Home 633. Health-Care Providers 64viii Supporting Parents with Alzheimer's4. Asking Your Parent to Relinquish His or HerDriver's License 655. Living Will 6760 Finances and Fraud Protection 691. Setting up a Joint Bank Account 702. Taxes 713. Debts 714. Benefits 725. Fraud Protection 7270 Understanding the Disease 751. Your Parent Has Rights 762. Person-Centered Care 773. Health problems 784. Communication 785. Simplify 796. Dealing with Problem Behaviors 806.1 Shadowing 816.2 Sundowning 816.3 Inappropriate language and topics 816.4 Problems with eating 826.5 Problems with clothing 836.6 Problems with bathing 8480 Activities 871. Alzheimer Café 882. Pet Love 883. Shopping 904. Family Celebrations and Dining Out 91Contents ix5. Walking and Driving Tours 926. Music 937. Gardening 948. Wrapping Presents and Decorating theHome for the Holidays 949. Sports and Exercise 9510. Other Activities 9611. Day Programs for People with Alzheimer's 9890 Elder Abuse 1011. Types of Elder Abuse 1011.1 Emotional and psychological abuse 1021.2 Physical and sexual abuse 1021.3 Neglect and abandonment 1031.4 Financial abuse 1042. Report Elder Abuse 1053. Spousal Abuse 1054. A Personal Story of Emotional Abuse and Neglect 107100 Self-Care for the Caregiver 1111. Signs of Caregiver Burnout 1122. Take Care of Yourself 1133. Get Help 1143.1 Join a support group 115Resources 117Alzheimer's Planner for Caregivers 121x Supporting Parents with Alzheimer'sSamples1 Doctor's Appointment Notes 352 Medical Contacts 363 Family Medical History 374 Record of Surgeries and Hospital Stays 385 Medical Devices and Special Needs 396 Medicine and Allergy Information 407 Financial Updates 418 Special Events 429 Personal Contacts 43
