Learning to Speak Alzheimer's: A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease

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Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Sep 8, 2004 - Health & Fitness - 258 pages
A guide to more successful communication for the millions of Americans caring for someone with dementia: “Offers a fresh approach and hope.”—NPR
 
Revolutionizing the way we perceive and live with Alzheimer’s, Joanne Koenig Coste offers a practical approach to the emotional well-being of both patients and caregivers that emphasizes relating to patients in their own reality. Her accessible and comprehensive method, which she calls habilitation, works to enhance communication between care partners and patients and has proven successful with thousands of people living with dementia. Learning to Speak Alzheimer’s also offers hundreds of practical tips, including how to:
 
· cope with the diagnosis and adjust to the disease’s progression
· help the patient talk about the illness
· face the issue of driving
· make meals and bath times as pleasant as possible
· adjust room design for the patient’s comfort
· deal with wandering, paranoia, and aggression
 
“A fine addition to Alzheimer's and caregiving collections.”—Library Journal (starred review)
 
“Promises to transform not only the lives of patients but those of care providers…This book is a gift.”—Sue Levkoff, coauthor of Aging Well
 

Contents

The Five Tenets of Habilitation
59
Beyond Habilitation
147
Glossary
203
Good Food for People with Alzheimers
206
Further Resources
212
Index
229
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About the author (2004)

Joanne Koenig Coste, a nationally recognized expert and an outspoken advocate for patient and family care, is a board member of the American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Currently in private practice as an Alzheimer's family therapist, she also serves as president of Alzheimer's Consulting Associates.Pam Ward has performed in dinner theater, summer stock, and Off-Broadway, as well as in commercials, radio, and film. An experienced narrator, Pam has recorded many titles for the Library of Congress Talking Books program. She is the recipient of an AudioFile Earphones Award and the prestigious Alexander Scourby Award.

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