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| What Is Alzheimer's? | |
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| Alois Alzheimer's Discovery | |
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| The Puzzling and Peculiar Formations | |
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| Alzheimer Reveals His Findings | |
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| The Continuing Puzzle of Alzheimer's | |
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| The Types of Alzheimer's | |
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| What Causes Alzheimer's? | |
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| A Cure in Sight? | |
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| Drugs: New and Old | |
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| Therapy and Lifestyle Changes | |
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| How This Book Will Help You | |
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| When to Worry: The Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's | |
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| Warning Sign Number One: Difficulty with Familiar Tasks | |
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| Warning Sign Number Two: Slipping Job Performance | |
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| Warning Sign Number Three: Language Difficulties | |
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| Warning Sign Number Four: Confusion of Time and Place | |
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| Warning Sign Number Five: Increasingly Poor Judgment | |
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| Warning Sign Number Six: Problems with Abstract Thinking | |
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| Warning Sign Number Seven: Misplacing Objects | |
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| Warning Sign Number Eight: Mood and Behavior Fluctuations | |
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| Warning Sign Number Nine: Changes in Personality | |
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| Warning Sign Number Ten: Lack of Initiative | |
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| The Importance of Early Diagnosis | |
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| How Affected People Try to Cope | |
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| Why It's Difficult to Diagnose Alzheimer's | |
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| The Causes of Dementia | |
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| Multi-Infarct Disease | |
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| Lewy Body Dementia | |
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| Pick's Disease | |
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| Parkinson's Disease | |
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| Other Causes of Dementia | |
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| Alcohol and Prescription Drugs | |
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| Environmental Toxins | |
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| Infections or Viruses | |
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| Tumors and Other Structural Disorders | |
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| Metabolic Disorders | |
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| Depression, Delirium, and Isolation | |
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| Reversible Dementias | |
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| A Diagnosis of Exclusion | |
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| The Diagnosis--a Frustrating Ordeal | |
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| Find the Right Doctors | |
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| The Medical History and Physical Exam | |
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| Neurological Exam | |
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| Lab Tests | |
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| Mental Status Test | |
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| Psychiatric and Neuropsychological Exams | |
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| The Possible Results | |
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| Mild Cognitive Impairment | |
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| It's Most Likely Alzheimer's Disease | |
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| Dealing with the Bad News | |
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| The Patient's Feelings | |
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| Acceptance or Denial | |
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| Shame or Guilt | |
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| Fear | |
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| Sadness and Grief | |
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| Depression | |
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| Frustration and Anger | |
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| Loneliness and Isolation | |
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| Your Feelings | |
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| Medical Support for the Patient | |
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| Prescription Drugs | |
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| Additional Treatments | |
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| Clinical Trials | |
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| Emotional Support for the Patient | |
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| Support for You | |
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| Plans for the Future | |
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| Financial Plans | |
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| What Will It Cost? | |
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| What Are Your Combined Resources? | |
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| Tax Issues | |
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| Government Programs | |
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| Other Income Sources | |
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| Legal Plans | |
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| Durable Power of Attorney | |
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| Living Trust | |
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| Medical and Nursing Care Plans | |
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| Spiritual and Emotional Plans | |
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| What to Expect in Stage 1 | |
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| Difficulty with Routine Tasks | |
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| When to Stop Driving | |
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| When to Stop Working | |
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| What to Wear | |
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| Increasing Memory Loss | |
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| Losing and Hiding Things | |
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| Getting Lost and Wandering | |
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| Emotional Changes | |
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| Odd and Inappropriate Behavior | |
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| Rummaging Through Things | |
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| Stealing and Accusations | |
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| Sexual Behavior and Nudity | |
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| Physical Changes | |
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| General Guidelines for Caring for Alzheimer's Patients | |
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| Cooperate with the Patient's Wishes | |
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| Stick to Daily Schedules | |
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| Plan Meaningful Activities | |
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| Music | |
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| Gardening | |
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| Reminiscing | |
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| Quiet Time | |
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| Children and Pets | |
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| Create a Calm and Stable Environment | |
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| Establish Good Verbal and Nonverbal Communication | |
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| Stop Blaming | |
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| How Do You Survive Stage 1? | |
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| When You Are the Patient's Life Partner | |
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| Prepare for Practical Changes | |
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| Sexuality and Intimacy | |
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| When You Are the Patient's Child | |
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| Acknowledge Your Feelings | |
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| Join a Support Group | |
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| Keep a Journal | |
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| Keep Your Sense of Humor | |
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| Laughter | |
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| Fun | |
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| Ask for Help! | |
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| Getting Time Off | |
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| Getting Professional Help | |
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| Exercise and Eat Well | |
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| What to Expect in Stage 2 | |
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| Some General Changes | |
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| Severe Memory Loss | |
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| Difficulty Communicating | |
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| Difficulty Speaking | |
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| Difficulty Understanding Speech | |
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| Physical Changes | |
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| Personality Changes | |
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| The Hygiene Nightmare | |
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| Eating | |
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| Personal Hygiene | |
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| Dealing with Difficult Behavior | |
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| Repetition | |
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| Already Asked and Answered | |
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| Been There, Done That | |
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| Clinging | |
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| Suspiciousness and Paranoia | |
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| Rage and Catastrophic Outbursts | |
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| Hallucinations or Delusions | |
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| Depression | |
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| Sexual Behaviors | |
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| Sundowning and Sleep Disturbances | |
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| How Do You Survive Stage 2? | |
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| Expressing Your Emotions | |
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| Anger | |
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| Sadness and Grief | |
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| Guilt | |
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| Identify Your Trigger Points | |
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| Love | |
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| Physical Reactions | |
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| Fatigue | |
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| Stress-Related Illness | |
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| When Is It Time to Get Help? | |
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| Avoiding Isolation | |
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| What to Expect in Stage 3 | |
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| Severe Intellectual Impairment | |
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| Severe Speech Impairment | |
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| Very Little Awareness of Surroundings | |
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| Loss of Other Mental Functions | |
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| Refusal to Eat | |
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| Complete Dependency | |
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| Incontinence | |
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| Inability to Perform Most Activities Without Help | |
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| The Final Months | |
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| Medical Care Issues in Stage 3 | |
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| Falls | |
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| Pressure Sores | |
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| Dental Problems | |
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| Vision and Hearing Problems | |
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| Dehydration | |
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| Constipation | |
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| Infections and Pneumonia | |
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| Before Death Comes | |
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| Medical Intervention | |
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| Feeding Tubes | |
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| Medication | |
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| Surgery | |
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| Resuscitation | |
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| Where Will the Patient Die? | |
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| The Last Moments | |
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| After-Death Decisions | |
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| Should There Be an Autopsy? | |
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| What Type of Funeral? | |
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| How Do You Survive Stage 3? | |
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| Are You Ready to Let Go? | |
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| There's Nothing Wrong with Feeling Relief | |
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| Guilt, Anger, and Depression | |
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| Guilt | |
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| Anger and Depression | |
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| Experiencing Sadness and Grief | |
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| Anticipatory Grief | |
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| Symptoms and Stages of Grief | |
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| Coping Strategies | |
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| How Long Does Grieving Last? | |
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| Moving On | |
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| If You Are Not the Primary Caregiver | |
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| Securing Your Home | |
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| General Safety Considerations | |
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| Is It Too Cluttered, Busy, or Noisy? | |
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| Is It Too Dark? | |
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| Is It Too Hot? | |
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| Is It Hazardous? | |
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| Is It Sharp, Slippery, or in the Way? | |
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| What Should Be Locked? | |
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| Stairways | |
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| The Bathroom | |
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| The Bedroom | |
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| The Kitchen | |
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| Outdoors | |
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| Other Issues | |
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| Fire Safety | |
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| Memory Aids | |
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| Mealtime Traumas | |
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| Planning and Preparing Meals | |
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| What to Serve | |
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| When to Eat | |
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| At the Table | |
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| How to Eat | |
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| Other Mealtime Problems | |
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| Choking | |
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| Feeding Someone Who Is Bedridden | |
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| Drinking | |
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| Personal Hygiene at Home | |
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| Getting Dressed | |
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| How You Can Help | |
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| What to Wear | |
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| Still Having Problems? | |
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| Personal Grooming | |
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| Hair | |
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| Shaving and Make-Up | |
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| Nails | |
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| Oral Hygiene | |
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| Bathing | |
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| Preparing the Bath | |
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| Tips for Successful Bathing | |
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| Dealing with Problems | |
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| When Accidents Happen | |
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| Why Accidents Happen | |
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| Dealing with Incontinence | |
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| Time Off: Getting Help for You | |
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| Help from Family and Friends | |
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| Help from Outside Providers | |
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| Home Aides--Where to Find Them | |
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| Agencies | |
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| On Your Own | |
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| How to Supervise Your Help | |
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| Adult Day Care | |
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| Vacations: Short-Term Respite Care | |
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| Moving the Patient in Advance of a Crisis | |
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| When Is the Right Time? | |
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| The Right Time for You | |
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| The Right Time for the Alzheimer's Patient | |
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| Involve Others in the Decision | |
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| Medical Professionals | |
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| Family Members | |
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| Involve the Person with Alzheimer's | |
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| Allow Time to Find the Right Place | |
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| Retirement Residence with Assisted-Living Program | |
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| Licensed Residential Care Home | |
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| Alzheimer's Dedicated Care Facility | |
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| Nursing Home with a Dedicated Alzheimer's Care Program | |
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| How to Choose the Right Nursing Home | |
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| The Level of Care Needed | |
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| Geographical Area | |
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| Licensing or Certification | |
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| Financial Considerations | |
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| Inspect the Facility | |
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| Physical Layout | |
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| Residents' Rooms | |
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| Bathrooms | |
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| The Staff | |
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| Medical Policies | |
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| General Policies and Considerations | |
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| Safety and Emergency Policies | |
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| Visiting Policies | |
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| Use of Physical and Chemical Restraints | |
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| Activities and Entertainment | |
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| Food Service | |
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| Moving In | |
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| A Smooth Transition | |
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| What to Bring | |
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| Spend Time at the Facility | |
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| Build Relationships with the Staff | |
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| The Patient's Reaction | |
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| Sometimes It's Traumatic | |
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| Sometimes It's Positive | |
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| Your Reaction | |
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| A Change, Not a Defeat | |
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| Express Your Feelings | |
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| When It's Your Partner | |
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| Deal with Your Overwhelming Loss | |
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| Don't Stay Isolated | |
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| Start to Build a Single Life | |
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| When It's Your Parent | |
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| Make Your Visits Count | |
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| Create a Regular Visiting Routine | |
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| Creative Ways to Connect | |
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| Bring a Favorite Food | |
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| Decorate the Patient's Room for Holidays | |
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| Personal Grooming for Fun and Relaxation | |
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| Bring Scrapbooks and Old Pictures | |
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| Outings | |
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| Visits During Scheduled Activities | |
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| Positive Feedback | |
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| How to Handle an Upsetting Visit | |
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| Keep in Touch with the Staff | |
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| The Present: Caring for Yourself Through It All | |
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| Empathy for You | |
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| Your Limits and Limitations | |
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| Staying in Balance | |
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| Signs of Stress | |
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| The Physical Part of Staying Healthy | |
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| Sleep and Relaxation | |
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| Diet | |
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| Exercise | |
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| Regular Medical Care | |
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| The Mental and Spiritual Parts of Staying Healthy | |
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| Meditation | |
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| Relaxation Exercises | |
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| Guided Imagery or Visualization | |
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| Breathing Exercises | |
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| Get a Massage | |
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| Be Good to Yourself | |
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| The Future: Is There Hope? | |
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| Solving Dr. Alzheimer's Puzzle | |
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| Tangles | |
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| Plaques | |
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| Clues from Gene Research | |
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| Clues from Mice Models | |
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| Making a Mouse Sick | |
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| A Promising Vaccine | |
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| Drugs | |
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| Secretase Inhibitors--Memapsin 2 | |
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| Anti-Inflammatories and OX2 | |
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| Estrogen | |
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| Memantine | |
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| Herbs | |
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| Gingko, Ginseng, and Phosphatidyl Choline | |
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| Huperzine A | |
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| Sage | |
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| Other Research Areas | |
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| Brain Imaging Techniques | |
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| Reviving Brain Cells | |
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| Head Injuries | |
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| Glia Cells | |
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| Helping to Fund Hope | |
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| Appendixes | |
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| Glossary | |
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| Further Reading | |
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| Community Resources | |
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| Online Resources | |
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| Index | |