News/Books

By Cheree Cleghorn, Editor

Lots of family reunions this summer will reveal a terrible family secret.

What no one wants to be the first to say.

An elder family member’s memory is going—-perhaps people are starting to notice their relative’s or friend’s distressingly vague moments—- clearly not what are called “senior moments.” People joke about those. (These lines are so, so overdone. Let’s give these a nice, long nap of, say, two decades.)

People who sense that something is not right with their brains are frightened, not joking around. They aren’t mildly irritated or laughing at losing the car keys again.

Instead, they are praying no one notices. They desperately try to conceal their confusion. What were they just saying? Who told them what just a moment ago? Everyone seems to be expecting an answer. They are all looking their way, expecting some kind of response. They have none.

These first, frightened or bewildered looks are very distinctive once you know what they may mean.

Another reunion scene: Instead of the family’s being in the first stage of discovering this problem, everyone is gathering for this reunion because this may be the last good summer for this much-loved person.

Then the “there-not-there” heartaches really begin.

We have a friend, a “might as well be family” friend, who is on the edge of losing us and we her. We are not ready. No one ever is. Based on risk factors and what is known to protect the brain (education, rich social support, etc.), she is one of the last people who should be living with this loss. Nevertheless, she is. Where do you go to get an RX for brave pills? We can’t find a pharmacy who has a supply.

Here is a new, sturdy, practical guide with a prevention and early intervention emphasis.

A new book, The Alzheimer’s Action Plan, is endorsed by the author of the bible for Alzheimer’s patients’ families, Peter Rabins, M.D. His book is, The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring For Persons With Alzheimer’s Disease, Related Dementing Illnesses and Memory Loss Later in Life.” It rmains a best-read for anyone working with these diagnoses.

The Alzheimer’s Action Plan complements Rabins’ book very well.

It described as the expert’s guide to the best diagnosis and treatment for memory problems. A close examination of any chapter makes clear how practical the authors’ advice is.

Is it really Alzheimer’s? This book explains how you can find out.

How can you intervene early to maintain the highest quality of life? The authors explain.

There also are related tips of great value—-how to prevent the family from becoming a roadblock, for instance.

Given the experts who have given this latest entry into a difficult field their unqualified blessings, The Alzheimer’s Action Plan surely is worth checking out.

I have read it. Their approach makes great sense to me. However, my reading of it can’t possibly equal that of the responsible person in the situation.

Only people who have been in this situation, or who care for patients who are, can say what will help.

Only you, the reader, can decide what books offer you the best guidance and help. Check this one out.

The Alzheimer’s Action Plan, by P. Murali Doraiswamy, M.D., and Lisa P. Gwyther, M.S.W. with Tina Adler. St. Martin’s Press. Hardback. $26.95

Dr. Doraiswamy is chief of biological psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center. Ms. Gwyther is the founder and director of the award-winning family support program at the Duke University Medical Center for Aging.