Alzheimer's Stage-by-Stage Care Guides

Alzheimer's disease is a growing epidemic despite continued research. Who among us does not have a relative or friend suffering from this mind-draining monster? Victims of Alzheimer's loose themselves before their death. Heartbreaking. Not just for them, but also for those who love them. Early-Mid Stage can be managed at home with use of in-home care and day facilities. Mid-Late Stage requires a caregiver team. No one person can provide adequate care without personal burnout. Late Stage usually requires moving the Alzheimer's sufferer from their home. A very gut-wrenching experience for all. Residential care provided within a residential home or a healthcare facility offers staff trained to manage the increasing physical, behavioral, and emotional changes that come with the advance of the disease. Severe and End-Stage can be devastating, or for many a relief. No one wants to see a loved one suffer, and drag on living with a disease with no known cure. End-Stage can be a beautiful experience. I recall sharing this time with my two sisters as we gathered in our mom's comfort care private room, showering her with our love and tender memories of the past. Although she could no longer communicate with words, she did show comprehension with smiles and squeezing of our hands while we gave her a loving bath, played her favorite music, and sang to her. We three stayed by her side for her last 3 days, as we all knew she would want. We released her to go home to her Mommy & Poppy and her 7 brothers and sisters. Her last breath was a priceless closure. We celebrated her life and the end of Alzheimer's, which she called BIG AL, with this toast : "BIG ALZ gone!" There can never be a harder or more rewarding job than being an Alzheimer caregiver. But, "YOU CAN DO IT!" Within this book you will hear what worked and what didn't from actual caregivers to guide you along the way.

By 2050, 13.4 million Americans is predicted to suffer from Alzheimer's disease! At least one caregiver will be needed for each victim of this progressive disease with no cure. Alzheimer's Stage-by-Stage Care Guides, written by the experiences of five case study caregivers and their loved one(s), sharing their: disease symptoms, recommended caregiver(s) role, coping suggestions, resources, and lessons learned at early-stage, mid-stage, late-stage, severe and end-stage. What makes this book unique is need-to-know information presented in an easy-to-use format as it is needed, by stage of disease. Unlike the majority of Alzheimer's books written by medical professionals, this book is written by one who has lived the caregiver experience for three of her family members. You will hear these case study stories, and those of two other caregivers and their loved one(s), as they use the author's voice to reach you in hopes of helping you avoid the landmines they stepped on in their journey with Alzheimer's.

BJ GARRY previously owned a grant-writing business, managed human resources, and served as President of the Board of Directors for a non-profit hospice organization. Her work is reflective of that varied background, and her experience as a long-distance Alzheimer's caregiver for her paternal grandmother, mother-in-law, and most recently as a weekend and on-call caregiver for her own mother. BJ is active in local Alzheimer's support groups, and uses material within her book for Alzheimer's caregiver workshops. She resides in Northern California with her husband, son, and pair of English Springer Spaniels.