Person with a Dementing Illness 7 --
Where Do You Go from Here? 10 --
2 Getting Medical Help for the Impaired Person 13 --
Evaluation of the Person with a Suspected Dementia 13 --
Finding Someone to Do an Evaluation 17 --
Medical Treatment and Management of Dementia 18 --
3 Characteristic Problems of Dementia 22 --
Brain, Behavior, and Personality: Why People with Dementia Do the Things They Do 22 --
Caregiving: Some General Suggestions 26 --
Overreacting, or Catastrophic Reactions 29 --
Problems with Speech and Communication 34 --
Loss of Coordination 40 --
Loss of Sense of Time 43 --
Symptoms That Are Better Sometimes and Worse at Other Times 44 --
4 Problems in Independent Living 46 --
When a Person Must Give Up a Job 47 --
When a Person Can No Longer Manage Money 48 --
When a Person Can No Longer Drive Safely 49 --
When a Person Can No Longer Live Alone 53 --
5 Problems Arising in Daily Care 60 --
Hazards to Watch For 60 --
Nutrition and Mealtimes 65 --
Incontinence (Wetting or Soiling) 85 --
Problems with Walking and Balance; Falling 90 --
Changes You Can Make at Home 94 --
Falls and Injuries 101 --
Visiting the Doctor 109 --
If the Ill Person Must Enter the Hospital 110 --
Seizures, Fits, or Convulsions 112 --
Jerking Movements (Myoclonus) 113 --
Death of the Impaired Person 113 --
7 Problems of Behavior 119 --
Six R's of Behavior Management 119 --
Concealing Memory Loss 121 --
Sleep Disturbances and Night Wandering 129 --
Worsening in the Evening 131 --
Losing, Hoarding, or Hiding Things 133 --
Rummaging in Drawers and Closets 133 --
Inappropriate Sexual Behavior 134 --
Repeating the Question 136 --
Repetitious Actions 137 --
Clinging or Persistently Following You Around 138 --
Complaints and Insults 139 --
Forgetting Telephone Calls 142 --
Stubbornness and Uncooperativeness 145 --
When the Sick Person Insults the Sitter 146 --
Using Medication to Manage Behavior 147 --
8 Problems of Mood 148 --
Complaints about Health 149 --
Alcohol or Drug Abuse 150 --
Apathy and Listlessness 151 --
Remembering Feelings 151 --
Anger and Irritability 152 --
Anxiety, Nervousness, and Restlessness 153 --
False Ideas, Suspiciousness, Paranoia, and Hallucinations 155 --
Having Nothing to Do 162 --
9 Special Arrangements If You Become III 164 --
In the Event of Your Death 165 --
10 Getting Outside Help 168 --
Help from Friends and Neighbors 168 --
Finding Information and Services 169 --
Planning in Advance for Home Care or Day Care 174 --
When the Confused Person Rejects the Care 175 --
Your Own Feelings about Getting Respite for Yourself 177 --
Locating Resources 179 --
Should Respite Programs Mix People Who Have Different Problems? 183 --
Determining the Quality of Services 183 --
Research and Demonstration Programs 185 --
11 You and the Impaired Person as Parts of a Family 186 --
Understanding Family Conflicts 191 --
Coping with Role Changes and Family Conflict 194 --
When You Live out of Town 198 --
When You Are Not the Primary Caregiver, What Can You Do to Help? 199 --
Caregiving and Your Job 200 --
12 How Caring for an Impaired Person Affects You 205 --
Emotional Reactions 205 --
Mistreating the Confused Person 217 --
Physical Reactions 218 --
When the Person You Have Cared for Dies 225 --
13 Caring for Yourself 226 --
Find Additional Help If You Need It 230 --
Joining with Other Families: The Alzheimer's Association 234 --
14 For Children and Teenagers 239 --
15 Financial and Legal Issues 243 --
Your Financial Assessment 243 --
Where to Look for the Forgetful Person's Resources 247 --
16 Nursing Homes and Other Living Arrangements 253 --
General Rules for Evaluating a Care Facility 253 --
Moving with a Confused Person 254 --
Types of Living Arrangements 255 --
Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities 258 --
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 286 --
State Mental Hospitals 286 --
17 Brain Disorders and the Causes of Dementia 288 --
Other Brain Disorders 295 --
18 Research in Dementia 298 --
Understanding Research 299 --
Research in Multi-Infarct Dementia and Stroke 301 --
Research in Alzheimer Disease 301 --
Promising Clinical and Research Tools 308 --
Effect of Acute Illness on Dementia 310 --
Research into the Delivery of Services 310 --
Protective Factors 311 --
Appendix 3. Locating Your State Office on Aging and State Nursing Home Ombudsperson 322 --
Appendix 4. Nursing Home Residents' Rights 328.