Alzheimer's And Dementia: A Practical And Legal Guide For Nevada Caregivers

181 Pages·2006·0.94 MB·English

by  Kim Boyer

Alzheimer’s and Dementia
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Alzheimer’s

and
Dementia
8
A PRACTICAL
and LEGAL GUIDE
for NEVADA CAREGIVERS
KIM BOYER
MARY SHAPIRO
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA PRESS
Reno & Las Vegas
University of Nevada Press, Reno, Nevada 89557 usa
Copyright © 2006 by University of Nevada Press
All rights reserved
Manufactured in the United States of America
Design by Barbara Jellow
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Boyer, Kim.
Alzheimer’s and dementia : a practical and legal guide for Nevada caregivers / Kim Boyer,
Mary Shapiro.
p. cm.
Includes index.
isbn 0-87417-660-3 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Alzheimer’s disease—Nevada. 2. Alzheimer’s disease—Law and legislation—Nevada.
3. Dementia—Nevada. 4. Dementia—Law and legislation—Nevada. 5. Caregivers—Nevada.
I. Shapiro, Mary. II. Title.
rc523.b69 2006
362.196'831009793—dc22
The paper used in this book meets the requirements of American
National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper
for Printed Library Materials, ansi z.48-1984. Binding
materials were selected for strength and durability.
First Printing
15 14 13 12 11 10 09 08 07 06 5 4 3 2 1
To my parents, Benjamin and Theresa Klein, who taught me
the meaning of compassion; to my beloved sister, Cornelia,
an equal partner in caring for our mother; and to my husband, Leonard,
whose support means everything.
Mary
8
To Mom and Dad, thank you for all your love,
support, and encouragement.
Kim
8
And together,
we dedicate this book
to the heroes we have met on this journey.
8
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CONTENTS
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xvii
CHAPTER 1 The Journey Begins 1
Beth and Alice’s Journey 1
Harry’s Journey 1
Is It Dementia or Just a Normal Part of Aging? 2
Dementia 3
Alzheimer’s Disease 4
Vascular Dementia 4
Lewy Body Dementia 5
Parkinson’s Disease 5
Obtain a Diagnosis 6
Avoid a Misdiagnosis 6
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus 7
Depression 7
Medication Overload 8
Loss of Vision or Hearing 9
Poor Nutrition 9
Are You on a Journey? 9
CHAPTER 2 Getting the Right Medical Care 11
Finding the Right Physician 11
Preparing for the Doctor’s Appointment 12
viii CONTENTS
The Comprehensive Assessment 12
Cognitive Testing 13
The Caregiver’s Interview 13
Receiving the Diagnosis 14
What to Tell Your Loved One 14
Treatment 15
Clinical Trials 16
The Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease 17
Alan and Martha’s Journey 18
CHAPTER 3 Techniques to Help the Caregiver 19
Beth and Alice’s Journey 20
Alan and Martha’s Journey 20
Recognize Loss of Control 21
Call a Family Meeting 21
Hate the Disease, Not the Person 23
Eyes and Ears 24
Pick Your Battles and Go with the Flow 24
The Best Time to Get Things Done 25
Eating 25
Keep It Simple 26
Medication Management 26
Bathing 26
The Car Dilemma 27
“I Want to Go Home” 27
Go with the Flow 27
Nonverbal Communication 28
Keep It Light 28
Avoid Big Changes to the Environment 29
Clear Out the Closets 29
Anger and Violence 29
Mary and Jim’s Journey 30
What about Sex? 31
Activities 32
CONTENTS ix
Support Groups for the Caregiver 33
Support Groups for the Memory Impaired 34
CHAPTER 4 Planning for Incapacity 37
Advance Directives for Health Care 37
Living Wills 38
Steps for Completing a Living Will 39
Steps for Revoking a Living Will 39
Limitations on Living Wills 39
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care 40
Steps for Completing a Health Care Power of Attorney 40
Limitations on Health Care Powers of Attorney 41
Patient Self-Determination Act 41
Common Questions about Advance Directives 42
Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders 43
CHAPTER 5 Finding the Type of Care You Need 45
Care Options 46
There’s No Place Like Home 46
Home Health Care Agencies 47
Social HMOs 47
Geriatric Care Managers 48
Moving Your Parent into Your Home 48
Respite Care 49
Senior Centers 50
Adult Day Care 50
Assisted Living Facilities 51
Memory Care Facilities 53
Group Homes 53
Homes for Individual Residents 54
Nursing Homes 54
Hospice 54
Choosing a Facility 55
Understanding Patient’s Rights 57