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If I may be so bold, I'll offer up the name of my own book "Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories." There are many Alzheimer's stories in the book, though it is a book of support stories from caregivers who've been there - Alzheimer's, sibling issues, abusive parents, exhaustive hours, isolation - all of these issues and more. The stories are first person accounts of what caregivers go through - the good, bad and the ugly. The Web sites www.mindingourelders.com and www.mindingoureldersblogs.com both offer support for the caregiver. You are always welcome to check out the community.
Another book that I have found very useful has been "The 36-Hour Day: A Guide to caring for Persons with Alzheimer Disease, Related DDementing ILlnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life" by Nancy Mace and Peter Rabins. Although the medical information is somewhat out of date (which is exciting in the sense that the medical community is starting to make progress on this disease), the descriptions of what to expect and how to handle loved ones iwth Alzheimer's Disease (or other types of dementia) are very insightful.
That’s a nice book but I am looking for something that contains info on the medical drugs taken by Alzheimer’s patients. Actually my father who is an Alzeimer’s patient was formerly taking Risperdal and some weeks back he started taking Ebixa. Some days after he changed medicine I noticed some purple rashes on his scalp. I thought that it was a side effect of Ebixa since I had read that Ebixa had some side effects on the pharmacy’s site but some days later I found that he had developed a lump on his scalp that was oily and not so painful. I took him to the doctor the next day itself where I came to know that that was some other complication and Ebixa had nothing to do with this. Had I known this I would have taken him to the doctor earlier in order to avoid complications. But too late..he has to go through a surgery to remove the lump.
Hi Lorna, For your needs, I'd rely on Web sites like WebMD that give up-to-date side effects and drug information. Even the best book will be outdated before the publisher gets it out. It takes months, at best, to get a book on the shelves, and by then new side effects, new drugs and new drug uses are available.
I hope this helps some. Please keep checking back to Our Alzheimer's for the latest on new treatments for Alzheimer's.
I know the doctor appointments can eat you up (I've been there with seven elders). Drugs keep you guessing. Don't put yourself in a position where you feel guilty. If you need to call a nurse call-in line, or a doctor's office, do so. But reliable, non-product related sites are very helpful.
Also, go on the drug manufacturer's site. They can be helpful, but don't let that be your only source. Obviously they are biased. Cross check. Take care, Carol
